If your skin has fair to light tone and dark hair, laser hair removal may be your ideal solution.
Your skin may experience inflammation and itching for about 24 hours following laser treatment, so using a soothing moisturizer such as aloe vera gel may provide relief.
Exfoliation is key for keeping skin soft after laser hair removal, so we highly suggest trying a gentle scrub like KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub made with 10% AHA.
1. Removing Dead Skin Cells
Following laser hair removal, your treated area may contain dead skin cells which must be eliminated so that new healthy skin can emerge in its place. Regular exfoliation is the ideal way to do this and can begin 48 hours post treatment – just make sure it doesn’t become excessive! Using mild exfoliants won’t irritate or harm the delicate surface beneath.
Try using a gentle scrub that doesn’t contain harsh chemicals or perfumes. A soft shower sponge or loofah with gentle exfoliating body wash works great as a substitute. Gritty scrubs or salt scrubs may be too aggressive, causing unnecessary irritation of the skin.
As with exfoliation, shaving the treated area regularly will also help speed up the shedding process and facilitate quicker hair fallout. When shaving with a sharp razor instead of one that is too rough will allow shaved hairs to fall out more readily.
Keep in mind that hair that has been shaved won’t regrow in its original follicle; rather, it will enter a telogen phase and shed off over time – you may see these hairs remain visible for several weeks post laser treatment, which is completely normal and should not cause concern.
After hairs begin shedding, it may be tempting to attempt to extract them with waxing, plucking or shaving; however, doing this will only lead to further ingrown hairs and could potentially irritate the skin further. Therefore, it’s best to leave them be and let nature take its course until they fall out naturally on their own.
If the shedding process after laser hair removal treatments leaves you uneasy, aloe vera gel may provide relief. Not only is it natural and soothing for skin irritations but also has anti-inflammatory properties – ideal to use immediately following treatments to avoid further discomfort and inflammation.
2. Preventing Ingrown Hairs
Ingrown hairs are a common side effect of shaving, waxing and plucking that often occur as a result. After being cut or plucked out of their follicles by shaving or plucking tools, these hairs tend to curl back into them causing itching, redness, bumps and pain if left untreated – eventually becoming infected and leading to boils or painful cysts if left untreated.
Laser hair removal is one of the most effective strategies for reducing ingrown hairs and their frequency. Unlike other methods, it destroys an entire hair follicle to eliminate growth; however, regular exfoliation after laser treatment is still recommended in order to prevent ingrown hair formation.
After laser hair removal, it’s common to experience some redness and small bumps on the treated area of your skin. These effects usually subside shortly after treatment has taken place; if they persist further than expected, use cooling aloe vera gel or lotion on affected areas to help ease symptoms. A gentle exfoliating scrub once or twice weekly may also be beneficial; just avoid doing it within 24 hours after receiving laser therapy to avoid irritation.
Exfoliating helps remove any dead skin cells that could be hindering hair follicle growth and must be done in a circular motion for best results. Products containing alcohol may cause further irritation to your skin and should be avoided to ensure even exfoliation.
If you suffer from ingrown hairs, exfoliation should be part of every laser treatment session. Ingrowns usually appear when hair follicles shed and emerge, often leading to redness or bumps that look like new growth but actually represent body-pushed out older hair. While it may be tempting to shave or tweeze out these unwanted hairs quickly, doing so could cause infection.
As an alternative to exfoliation, try using a moisturizer that contains Salicylic or Glycolic acids to gently dissolve any dead skin cells that clog hair follicles, inhibiting their growth. At least three times weekly is suggested but be wary of overexfoliating as this could make skin vulnerable and sensitive.
3. Preventing Razor Burns
When shaving your skin with a razor blade, its razor edge cuts hair at its source of growth. If this process is done incorrectly, razor burns may result in severe discomfort. To protect yourself against such consequences, always use a new blade and shave in an opposite direction from where hair follicles exist; additionally change out razors regularly and avoid sensitive parts of the body where shaving can occur.
After laser hair removal, your skin must shed its old dead hairs that were cut. While this process can take several weeks, exfoliation can speed it up considerably. Use sugar or salt scrub and a washcloth or sponge to rub in a circular motion over the area in question to aid hair shedding faster and get ready for your next appointment sooner.
After receiving laser hair removal treatment, it is crucial not to pluck or wax any new growth that appears following treatment. Doing so could stimulate the hair follicle and result in thicker or darker regrowth. In order to avoid this situation, try not tweezing and instead use chemical depilatories such as Nair in the days leading up to your laser session.
Your skin may become severely irritated following laser hair removal, so it is crucial that you do not over-exfoliate. A gentle loofah, puffy shower sponge or exfoliating body wash should be used on the area that was lasered before being rinsed off with warm water; hot showers could even further irritate it.
Once the redness from laser hair removal subsides, you can begin shaving again. Care should be taken not to cause irritation to your skin when shaving with disposable razors or electric shavers that can adjust according to hair thickness; furthermore using shaving gel may reduce razor burn risk.
Laser hair removal is not a quick fix and must be repeated every 4-6 weeks in order to reap its full benefits. Contact us now and book your consultation!
4. Preventing Acne
Unwanted hair growth can be a frustrating problem for many people. Laser hair removal provides a safe and effective method to get rid of unwanted hair growth; however, proper exfoliation to avoid ingrown hairs and skin irritation should also be performed before beginning laser treatment. A gentle exfoliator should be used and advice should be sought from your laser provider in this regard.
Laser hair removal causes your skin to feel itchy and become red and inflamed, caused by heat from the laser beams. To alleviate discomfort caused by laser beams’ heat, an ice pack or cold compress may help. In order to avoid scratching that can lead to scarring and infection risks, make sure you wash your hands often during and after treatments.
After laser hair removal, it is advisable to limit exposure to heat such as showers, baths and saunas for several days as it may increase body temperature and cause excessive sweating, leading to clogged pores and acne breakouts. Furthermore, heavy makeup or deodorant may clog your pores further during this time.
Although laser hair removal cannot provide a cure for acne, it can help reduce outbreaks. Furthermore, it makes keeping skin cleaner by clearing away oil and bacteria build-up more efficiently. To get optimal results though, consult a dermatologist if your acne symptoms have worsened substantially or there have been an outbreak of skin infections in the past.
For optimal results, exfoliation should take place both immediately after your laser hair removal sessions and between each one. This will help clear away dead skin cells that have lingered, decreasing the chance of ingrown hairs and ingrowns. In addition, it’s essential that you follow all aftercare instructions from your provider, such as staying out of direct sunlight and selecting an anti-irritant skincare regime that won’t aggravate skin irritancy issues.
