Laser hair removal is a safe and effective solution for eliminating unwanted hair. The heat generated from the laser beam destroys blood vessels that feed hair follicles, forcing them to die off and stop producing new strands of hair growth.
Antibiotics, cold/flu pills and mood regulators are among the many medications taken regularly by many individuals; unfortunately these medicines can often interfere with laser treatments.
How long after antibiotics can I get laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal can be a relatively safe procedure, though it’s wise to avoid doing it if taking antibiotics which increase photosensitivity – this may cause your skin to react in ways which could potentially be damaging.
Before your treatment begins, a medical specialist cleans and applies numbing gel. Next, a technician focuses a beam of high-energy light onto the area you wish to treat, wearing protective eyewear to shield their eyes from light exposure. You may experience something like rubber band snapping or sunburn-like sensation; others report experiencing sulfurous smell as their hair follicles are destroyed.
To get the results you desire, it may take multiple sessions of treatment. We suggest shaving at least 24 hours prior to any laser session so there will be enough hair for us to target. Furthermore, waxing or plucking any treated areas could interfere with its efficacy – the laser should do its work unimpeded by such activities.
Notifying us if you’re taking medications can also be vital. Some can reduce the effectiveness of laser hair removal treatments, particularly those which alter hormone levels such as testosterone regulating medications – this will give us the best chance at helping you see results more quickly from laser hair removal treatments.
Laser hair removal may not be a permanent solution, but it can significantly decrease hair growth for several months or years. When hair does return it is usually finer and lighter in color compared to before treatment began. Furthermore, most people require ongoing laser hair removal sessions in order to maintain long-term results.
Antibiotics, mood stabilizers and acne medication do not interfere with laser treatments; however, it’s best to inform your dermatologist of all medications or supplements you are taking as this may give them guidance as to when laser treatments can take place. In turn, this allows for more informed planning.
Can I get laser hair removal while on antibiotics?
Laser hair removal machines emit thermal energy that attacks and damages blood vessels that feed hair follicles. If these vessels no longer provide fuel to them, their function ceases and they stop producing new hair follicles; as heat from the laser prevents new ones from sprouting; over time the area treated will become smooth and hair-free.
Most antibiotics and medications won’t interfere with laser treatments, but it is still essential that any drugs you may be taking before your appointment are disclosed. Certain antibiotics and cold/flu medications contain photoreactive ingredients which could potentially lead to skin reactions when combined with laser treatment – your aesthetician will be able to advise on risks for such reactions as well as how long you should wait before receiving laser therapy treatments.
Before initiating laser hair removal treatments, it is advisable to limit sun exposure or tanning as much as possible. Exposure can reduce effectiveness while creating pigmentation issues in the area being treated, so sunscreen application must be frequent if in direct sunlight. In addition, waxing or plucking should be stopped prior to laser hair removal sessions and it is advisable that professional registrants meet certain standards of training and skill in cosmetic dermatology if deciding to continue your treatments.
Before scheduling laser hair removal treatments, it’s best to wait a week after taking antibiotics in order to ensure all traces have been eliminated from your system and reduce the risks of adverse side effects. Even though all antibiotics have left your system, traces can still remain in other tissues and organs, potentially increasing risks and side effects.
Keep this in mind to ensure the most successful laser hair removal treatments: your skin must be free from both natural and artificial tanning for it to work optimally. Laser light energy can absorb dark pigments on the skin, so to maximize effectiveness of treatments make sure to shave two days prior to each appointment in the area being treated.
Can I get laser hair removal if I’m pregnant?
Laser hair removal works best when there is an obvious contrast between skin and hair colors. Hormonal changes during pregnancy that cause hyperpigmentation could make laser treatment less effective; additionally, no studies have proven its safety for fetuses – therefore it’s usually wiser to err on the side of caution when it comes to their safety.
As such, most laser hair removal clinics will not treat their pregnant clients during gestation, no matter how far along they may be. Instead, temporary methods like shaving, waxing and tweezing must be utilized until it is safe to resume treatment postpartum.
As it can be hard to predict exactly how a pregnant woman’s hormones will change during gestation, and should she discover she is expecting prior to starting laser treatments, it is best for her to notify their provider so they can delay sessions until after giving birth.
A qualified esthetician will be able to advise whether it is safe for you to begin laser hair removal treatment, or whether your hormone levels have returned to normal before proceeding with treatments. They may also suggest safe alternatives until laser sessions can resume again.
As part of your assessment of hormone levels, it’s also a good idea to be open and honest with your esthetician about any medications or antibiotics that you are currently taking – this will ensure the safest laser treatment experience. Some drugs can increase photosensitivity risk which could compromise laser treatments; to avoid complications during laser treatment sessions it is essential that all information regarding medications or antibiotics be disclosed fully and honestly with your esthetician.
Can I get laser hair removal if I’m breastfeeding?
After having given birth, life is starting to feel more normal for you and you want to start thinking about self-care again, like hair removal with laser. But you have heard that breastfeeding women should wait before getting their hair removed due to potential risks for their baby? Is this true?
Studies have yet to demonstrate whether laser hair removal for breastfeeding mothers is unsafe; however, most treatment offices will refuse to perform the procedure on anyone lactating at this time. If breastfeeding past one year post delivery is an option for you, be sure to discuss this matter with your healthcare provider as early as possible.
Laser hair removal during breastfeeding is generally safe; however, multiple sessions at four to six week intervals will likely be necessary for it to work effectively. Sessions typically last one hour per area being treated and may result in sensations similar to rubber band snapping or sunburn-like sensations as the laser energy absorbs by your hair follicles.
For optimal results, it is crucial that you shave at least 24 hours prior to receiving laser treatment. This enables hair follicles to absorb all the laser energy without leaving light spots behind on the skin. In addition, it is wise to avoid tanning in direct sunlight prior to your appointment and utilize sunscreen with SPF 25+ protection in order to lower risk of uneven pigmentation and pigmentation issues.
Laser treatments may cause photosensitivity in certain individuals, so it’s essential that any medications (including cold/flu medications, antibiotics or mood stabilizers ) that you are currently taking (including cold/flu remedies, antibiotics and mood stabilizers ) be disclosed prior to beginning any laser session. Photosensitivity symptoms usually last only temporarily; however this could vary from person to person.
If you are using Accutane or other medications that cause extreme photosensitivity, waiting one year before having laser treatment. People who are predisposed to genital herpes or are prone to shingles should also wait until these conditions have resolved before getting laser treatments.
