Laser hair removal is one of the most effective solutions for eliminating unwanted hair growth permanently, but did you know there are steps you can take to make treatment even more successful?
Avoid waxing, plucking and using depilatory creams on the area that will be treated. These techniques disturb hair follicles and could diminish its efficacy during treatment.
1. Avoid Sunlight
Laser hair removal has proven itself an invaluable option for many who are tired of shaving, tweezing, using creams or waxing their way to smooth skin. One key element for successful laser treatments is staying out of direct sunlight before and after sessions; sun exposure may make the heat from lasers unbearable or cause irreparable skin damage – therefore it is crucial that all instructions given by your practitioner be strictly adhered to so you have smoothest possible skin after receiving care.
Laser treatments come with one key rule for success: avoid sunlight and tanning at least two weeks prior and after. People with darker skin tones must particularly adhere to this directive as UV rays may penetrate easily into your pores, leading to hyper-pigmentation or burns that require laser treatment to heal.
If you arrive for your laser appointment tanned or burned, your laser technician may find it impossible to treat the area as they won’t be able to pick up on melanin in your skin, leading to additional sessions being necessary – and potentially more costly in the long run.
Prevent using any sunless tanning products before or after laser sessions as this could trigger an adverse reaction when combined with the heat from the laser, potentially leading to burning, scarring or other side effects.
After receiving laser therapy, your skin may be vulnerable and will need time to recover. Exposure to sunlight during this stage could result in hyper-pigmentation which could become permanent; to protect yourself it is recommended that afterward you only venture outside with long sleeves or wear protective apparel such as a hat and long sleeves when going outside.
Some areas of your body that are protected from direct sunlight, like underarms and bikini area can be treated year-round; however, for maximum effectiveness it is advised that only naturally untanned skin be treated in these areas.
2. Apply Aloe Vera
Laser hair removal can be an excellent way to permanently eliminate unwanted body hair, saving money by forgoing razor blades and waxing services. However, it is essential to follow certain steps beforehand in order to ensure your skin is healthy enough to undergo laser hair removal treatment.
To minimize risks from side effects of laser treatments, avoid direct sunlight both before and after each laser session. Exposure can cause your skin to become sensitive, leading to pigment changes or increased chances of pigmentation changes. In addition, sunscreen should be worn every day after laser sessions in order to protect yourself against any potential skin damage that might result.
Applying aloe vera before and after laser treatments is a great way to prevent irritation, soothe your skin, and promote healing. Aloe vera contains two hormones (auxin and givverellins) with wound healing properties as well as anti-inflammatory benefits to ensure you remain healthy and happy during and after your laser session.
Before beginning laser treatment, it is crucial that your skin be free of all products such as makeup, lotions, oils or deodorant. Furthermore, drinking plenty of water on both days leading up to and on your appointment date can ensure that you skin stays well hydrated.
Laser treatments offer pain-free hair removal; however, you may experience a slight tingle as the laser passes over your skin. For optimal comfort during treatment sessions, it is advisable to wear loose-fitting clothing.
Numbing cream can help minimize discomfort during laser sessions. Available both online and at many beauty stores, numbing cream comes in various formulations to target various body areas. Be sure to follow your clinic’s instructions, however; too much numbing may lead to side effects including permanent numbness in treated areas if overapplied. Alternatively, lidocaine-based anesthetics might be a better alternative which are available at pharmacies and beauty stores.
3. Don’t Shave Between Sessions
Lasers work best when they can directly target hair follicles. Shaving removes all of the hair above the surface of the skin, meaning a laser has nowhere to hit. Therefore, it is recommended not shaving prior to or on the day of laser therapy treatment sessions – though every body’s needs vary; so if in doubt – speak to your therapist who can provide guidance as to what will work for you personally.
Some may assume they can shave between laser hair removal sessions, as is common with waxing and other hair removal methods like epilation. It is crucial that you avoid shaving the area that will be treated between sessions as shaving could cause the laser to target hair still in its anagen stage (growth phase), leading to unwanted side effects or skin damage from this practice.
Be mindful to avoid plucking or waxing hair in the area being treated, as both methods can rip it from its roots, rendering laser treatment impossible. Instead, wait until all anagen hairs have fully grown (this usually takes 30 – 45 days post session).
After your laser hair removal session, the hair in the affected area should start to shed naturally – an indicator that the treatment was successful. These hairs were damaged by laser light, so their natural elimination is now occurring within your body.
Avoid sunlight as much as possible in the weeks leading up to your appointment and use broad spectrum SPF30 sunscreen when going outdoors. Avoid tanning beds too as this could cause your skin to become pigmented and compromise the effectiveness of laser hair removal treatments.
4. Be Patient
Laser hair removal can be an extensive process that takes months to show results. Therefore, it’s crucial that you attend all scheduled appointments so that you can experience all its wonderful advantages.
Dependent upon your skin type and area being treated, side effects may occur. Should any adverse reactions arise during or following your treatment, be sure to notify the practitioner who administered it as they should provide helpful advice or tips that can minimize discomfort.
One of the more frequent side effects from laser hair removal is redness and swelling, caused by damage done by light energy from the laser to hair follicles that then takes time for repair by your body. As a result, it is vitally important to follow aftercare instructions as much as possible and stay out of sunlight whenever possible.
If you need to expose your skin to sunlight, be sure to apply a strong sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher for maximum protection and reduced chance of adverse reaction. Should these side effects occur, seek medical assistance immediately and notify your practitioner.
Prior to your laser appointment, it is also advisable to refrain from tanning or using self-tanner as this could alter the normal growth cycle of hair and lessen its chances of being targeted successfully by laser treatment.
Before going in for laser hair removal treatment, it is advisable to refrain from shaving, waxing and plucking as these activities may disrupt the normal growth cycle of hair follicles and make it more challenging for laser to target and destroy them. Furthermore, exercising should be avoided at least 24 hours before any session as sweat can increase risk of bacteria growing on the area and potentially causing irritation or infection.
Overall, laser hair removal is a safe and effective method to eliminate unwanted hair. It can reduce scars and other marks on the skin as well as time spent depilating and waxing; however, to reap all its advantages properly it’s essential that you follow all of the tips above to maximize their impact.
