After receiving laser hair removal treatment, skin may temporarily feel bumpy or irritated; however, this is a normal side effect and will eventually disappear over time.
Avoid direct sun exposure on treated areas. If necessary, use a broad spectrum sunscreen.
Plucking or waxing should also be avoided to protect the hair follicle’s ability to produce.
Avoid Sun Exposure
If you have had laser hair removal, your doctor or dermatologist has likely stressed how essential it is to avoid sun exposure between sessions. UV rays are harmful UVA/UVB rays can lead to hyperpigmentation, premature aging, burns and scarring as well as hindering healing after laser hair removal session! In fact, UV radiation could even inhibit healing post laser session!
After receiving treatment, it is recommended to stay out of direct sunlight for 24-48 hours afterward and avoid going to the beach or pool, due to being susceptible to sunburn, rash and infection. If you do decide to go, use sunscreen with an SPF rating higher than 30 and apply regularly as this can protect you against sunburn, rash or infection.
This step is especially crucial if you plan to have additional laser hair removal sessions, and is recommended at least several weeks apart to allow your skin time to heal between treatments and reduce any side effects. Tanning can increase hyperpigmentation risks as well as burns or scarring – an option worth avoiding in between laser hair removal treatments!
Many are tempted to get some sun during winter, yet this season is actually ideal for it. Days are shorter and sun sets earlier, limiting exposure for longer. Plus, air conditions tend to be dryer which helps reduce redness and irritation.
If you do decide to get sun, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher as this will protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, which may cause irreparable damage and even cancer.
There are certain rules you should never break, and one such is avoiding sun exposure and tanning for two weeks before and after laser hair removal treatment. The reason behind this is because laser treatments target pigment in hair follicles; if you are tan, however, the laser could misinterpret this as skin rather than hair and fail to effectively remove it.
Avoid Exfoliating
Exfoliating scrubs or other similar products are fine to use following laser hair removal treatments; however, for the first few days after their use is best avoided as the skin can become extremely delicate afterward and overscrubbing may aggravate its condition further. As an alternative, consider opting for a gentle body lotion without strong fragrance that will moisturize the area instead.
After undergoing cancer treatments, your skin becomes much more susceptible to sun exposure; thus it is wise to use and reapply high SPF sunscreen when outside (reapply frequently!). Prolonged exposure to UV rays can result in complications like hyperpigmentation or severe sunburn; to protect yourself and prevent such adverse reactions it is wise to limit exposure as much as possible.
Avoid workouts that cause sweating in the area where treatment has taken place, as heat can irritate and itch your skin, slowing the healing process. If exercising is essential to recovery, aim for light to moderate intensity workouts in loose-fitting clothing to minimize friction with your skin.
Once the initial irritation has subsided, you can resume your normal skincare regimen. If redness or itching are still bothersome symptoms, aloe vera gel may provide soothing relief from their symptoms.
Be patient. Wait five-30 days after treatment before beginning any form of hair removal such as shaving or plucking, otherwise dead hair from damaged follicles will naturally shed, and then start shaving or plucking new growth.
Avoid hair removal products like waxing or using chemical depilatory on the affected area as these may disrupt natural hair growth cycles and diminish results. If new growth must be removed, use an ice pack first before shaving to numb the area before doing so.
Avoid Waxing or Plucking
Laser hair removal requires that the area being treated be left free from plucking or waxing to ensure optimal results. Since laser therapy works by targeting hair roots directly, waxing and plucking may interfere with its effectiveness and compromise final results. Shaving is permitted before your appointment but make sure there is enough hair for the laser to target.
For those adamant on shaving before their laser hair removal treatment, it is advised to only shave the surface of their skin the day prior. Lasers only target pigment located at the hair’s roots while shaving removes only hair above the surface of your skin. In addition, tanning before an appointment could lead to hyperpigmentation of areas being treated and should also be avoided in order to ensure maximum efficacy of laser treatment.
Once your laser hair removal treatment is complete, the best way to protect the areas treated by wearing broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen at all times. In addition, aloe or calamine lotion should be applied several times each day in order to keep the area moisturized; take acetaminophen or other pain relief medication as soon as any discomfort arises from treatment.
People are often surprised to learn that, even between laser treatments, they still see what appears to be hair growth. This is completely normal as your follicles push out damaged hair follicles so it can fall away naturally from your skin. Tweezing or waxing the area immediately following laser treatments could severely damage hair follicles and leave scarring; so avoid doing this at all costs!
Keep all of your follow-up appointments. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, most patients require six laser hair removal treatments over several months in order to reach desired results and reach long-term hair reduction. By keeping all appointments, it will ensure you make the most out of each session and maximize long-term hair reduction.
Avoid Re-Growing Hair
Avoid shaving hair between laser hair removal treatments to allow hair follicles to grow for the laser to target and destroy them effectively. Shaving only removes surface-level hair without touching its source; that is why clients should refrain from plucking or waxing in the area being treated at least six weeks prior to laser hair removal treatment.
Before your treatment, it’s advisable to avoid tanning agents and other products that darken skin as this could hinder its efficacy. Furthermore, topical numbing cream should also be applied prior to making appointments more comfortable.
After receiving treatment, the first 24 hours are of paramount importance in aiding healing. You should avoid strenuous exercise and direct sunlight exposure during this period and use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or greater daily to protect the area against UV radiation and keep its appearance smooth and healthy.
Soon after receiving laser hair removal treatment, you may notice some unwanted hairs begin to shed from their respective locations. This is perfectly natural as a result of targeting specific follicles during treatment; any remaining anagen-phase hairs will remain.
Laser hair removal treatments should be scheduled at least 10 weeks apart for best results, since the anagen phase of hair growth typically lasts 30 to 45 days. After completion of this phase, hair follicles enter catagen and eventually telogen stages – therefore by scheduling appointments 10 weeks apart you ensure all anagen-phase hairs will be treated and eliminated permanently.
