Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular semi-permanent solution that works by permanently damaging hair follicles to reduce hair growth. While its painful zaps may be unpleasant, laser can provide a welcome alternative to shaving or waxing.
How should you prepare for laser therapy sessions? We consulted experts to get their top advice for making sure you make the most out of laser treatments.
1. Avoid Sunlight
Have you been to a salon for laser hair removal before and know that it is essential to avoid sun exposure prior and post treatment? Exposure can damage skin cells while making it more difficult for laser machines to differentiate between hair follicle pigment and your own skin tone. Therefore, for maximum effectiveness try staying out of direct sunlight for one week prior to treatment and wear sunscreen with SPF 30 protection or higher when going outside.
Precautionary steps should be taken, particularly by those with darker skin tones, in particular as laser hair removal works by targeting melanin in hair follicles, which if your skin tone is too dark could confuse with its surroundings, leading to uneven results or even scarring from laser surgery.
An unwanted tan can also impede the efficacy of laser hair removal treatments, since the laser might mistake melanin in your hair for pigmentation on your skin and fail to effectively eliminate unwanted hair growth. Therefore, it is wise to stay out of direct sunlight when scheduling laser hair removal treatments during summer.
Opting for laser hair removal on areas not frequently exposed to direct sunlight, like your underarms, is best. If necessary during summer months, be sure to use a moisturizer containing SPF protection on the area being treated and refrain from exfoliating or using loofah for at least several days before having laser treatment done to allow your skin to heal properly and return back to its natural color before your next treatment session.
2. Stay Hydrated
Contrary to other hair removal methods, which only target hair that lies just above the surface of your skin, laser hair removal can remove unwanted hair anywhere on your body – but can leave you susceptible to skin irritation and damage if you fail to follow proper treatment guidelines.
One of the key steps you can take to prepare for a laser hair removal session is staying hydrated. This involves drinking lots of water in the days leading up to your appointment, and moisturizing regularly with fragrance-free lotion. Doing this will help alleviate dryness or itching that might make the procedure more uncomfortable, and ensure your skin remains in optimal condition during and after it.
Alcohol should also be avoided prior to your laser hair removal session as this can make your skin more delicate, making it harder for the technician to target exactly which area needs treating – creating more discomfort during the process and less effective results overall.
Once your laser hair removal treatment has concluded, it’s essential to protect yourself from direct sunlight with broad spectrum sunscreen daily and apply soothing moisturizer to the treated area; Niki suggests aloe vera gel for its cooling and soothing properties.
After your treatment, it is also wise to avoid exercising as this can increase sweat production, potentially increasing the chance of bacteria building up on your skin and leading to rashes or infections.
3. Avoid Perfume
When it comes to laser hair removal, you must avoid anything that could complicate or increase sensitivity. This includes tanning both outdoors or at a salon as well as using self-tanner. Furthermore, all forms of pulling-from-root removal such as waxing and tweezing should also be discontinued immediately before getting laser treatment.
On the day of your appointment, avoid using body wash and perfume on the area you are having laser treatment done. Also avoid hot showers, saunas and steam rooms since these may irritate further the area under treatment. Instead opt for cool showers for several days up to one week post laser therapy treatment.
After your laser treatment, it is essential that the area be moisturized using fragrance-free lotion – something such as aloe vera may provide additional soothing benefits and reduce any redness or bumps caused by laser treatment.
Apply an SPF on all areas that were treated, not just those where laser treatments took place. Applying SPF should always be part of your skincare routine, but especially so after laser treatments have been administered to your skin.
If you’re uncertain of which SPF product would best protect your skin, ask your dermatologist for their recommendation. An appropriate SPF will protect from both UVA and UVB rays which may contribute to premature aging and other skin concerns.
4. Don’t Shave Between Sessions
Laser hair removal is an amazing way to permanently reduce unwanted hair on the face, arms, legs and other parts of your body. It is much less painful and more convenient than waxing, shaving or using cream depilatories; however, certain things should be done or avoided in order to achieve maximum success with laser treatments.
Before receiving laser hair removal treatment, it is important to avoid waxing or other hair removal methods in the days leading up to it, as this could alter the hair growth cycle and make targeting less effective. You should also steer clear of other options like plucking and shaving as these methods remove hair above the skin while lasers target individual follicles directly.
Many people shave between sessions as it makes their treatments more comfortable; however, this could hinder their effectiveness due to shaving disrupting follicles and leading to them not growing back as densely. Therefore, it would be more suitable to shave before your session or use a shaving gel specifically formulated for lasers several days beforehand.
Shedding after laser hair removal sessions is normal and should be seen as an encouraging sign that the treatment is working! This is because any fallen out hairs have been damaged by lasers and won’t grow back. Exfoliation may also help the area absorb hairs better and decrease shed numbers.
5. Be Patient
Unwanted hair growth can be time-consuming and irritating to deal with, requiring constant shaving, waxing, or using creams – not to mention clothing choices to cover up stray hairs that you don’t want on display. One popular semi-permanent solution that has proven itself successful for many is laser hair removal; it zaps the surface of skin while damaging hair follicles to prevent future hair growth.
Be mindful that multiple sessions will likely be needed before noticeable results appear. While the laser might feel hot or uncomfortable at times during treatment, remember that this sensation only lasts briefly; its benefits more than make up for it!
Apply numbing cream before your appointment as the most effective means of mitigating discomfort. These can usually be purchased at most laser clinics and represent an affordable and practical solution.
Before going in for laser hair removal treatments, avoid tanning or sunbathing for at least several weeks prior to your appointment. Sunlight can damage laser treatments by burning skin cells and altering hair growth cycles – it is therefore wise to forgo tanning sessions in advance.
Consider that seeing hair growth a year after your last laser hair removal session is perfectly normal; hair follicles cycle between growth and dormant cycles, so multiple sessions will likely be needed to achieve your desired hair-free look. To give laser hair removal a try in Houston medical spas instead of razor shaving, arrange an appointment immediately! They will help prepare you for your first appointment while providing all of the information and resources that will ensure a positive experience!
