Laser hair removal can be an excellent solution to eliminate unwanted body hair. Unfortunately, however, it’s not permanent solution and proper skin care must be maintained between sessions for best results.
Please be mindful not to apply skincare products within 24 hours following a laser treatment, as this could irritate the skin. Once this period has passed, exfoliating can resume.
Exfoliate
Exfoliation is essential before and after laser hair removal as it helps remove dead hairs and debris from the surface of your skin, stimulating new cell growth. However, you must do it gently; harsh scrubbing could damage and scar the surface too severely.
After laser hair removal, it is recommended that you exfoliate once or twice each week using either a scrub wash or mild exfoliating soap. After exfoliation is completed, moisturize the area using a lightweight moisturizer without fragrances or dyes and remember that hot showers, saunas and jacuzzis may irritate skin further.
After your treatment has begun, the initial four weeks may show increased hair shedding in the treated area. This is normal and indicates that hair follicles are being destroyed; you should avoid trying to remove these hairs by tweezing or waxing as this could disturb their natural cycle and prompt faster regrowth than would have occurred otherwise.
Exfoliation can speed up the shedding process by gently exfoliating your skin. Start exfoliating treated areas once any redness subsides, usually within days after receiving treatment, using scrub wash or exfoliating soap with lactic acid to loosen trapped hairs and help them shed.
Exfoliation after laser hair removal can also help prevent ingrown hairs, so exfoliation should always follow this form of treatment. You can do this using loofahs, puffy shower sponges or gentle scrubs; or alternatively you could invest in a tool designed specifically for laser hair removal treatments such as the KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub.
As soon as laser hair removal has taken place, it is also vitally important that any scabs that may form are left alone; any picking or scratching could lead to scarring. If the area itches excessively then cold/warm compresses may help soothe it more effectively than scratching alone.
Moisturize
Before your skin has fully recovered from laser hair removal, any kind of moisturizer could potentially irritate it and make healing more difficult. Once healed, however, you can return to using your regular skincare routine; use a mild moisturizing cream without added chemicals or perfume such as an aloe vera gel instead. Also avoid products containing glycolic acid or salicylic acid as these could irritate it further.
After your laser hair removal treatment, sensitive skin may experience redness and bumps which will subside quickly with no further intervention necessary. It’s important to take good care in protecting this area by refraining from scratching as this could worsen irritation further. A cold compress or an ice pack wrapped in cloth or paper towels may help minimize swelling and pain; alternatively Tylenol or another anti-inflammatory medication could provide an additional option if necessary.
Laser hair removal makes your treated area even more sensitive to sunlight and other heat sources, so it is advisable to wear sunscreen daily on it – selecting an SPF 50+ sunscreen product ensures maximum UV ray protection for the treated area.
Consider waiting until the area has fully healed to exfoliate as this can irritate your skin and make symptoms worse. Furthermore, waxing and plucking hair removal methods in this area could result in scarring and discoloration of skin tissue, so try to stay away from these methods altogether as these could further irritate it.
Reminding yourself of these dos and don’ts will ensure the smooth, hair-free skin you desire following laser hair removal is achieved. While it may require additional effort and changes to your skincare regimen, the end result makes the extra work worth your while!
Apply Sunscreen
Before your laser hair removal treatment, it is wise to forgo tanning as best you can and apply sunscreen regularly even if you don’t appear tanned. Being tanned when having laser hair removal treatments means the light won’t just target hair follicles; it could also target pigment in your skin which could result in permanent changes or burn marks on treated areas.
After laser hair removal, your skin may take several days to recover fully from its treatment. Once this period is over, however, you can resume your regular skincare regimen; just be mindful when going outside as treated skin may still be sensitive. In particular, avoid chlorine-filled pools, heavy workouts, hot showers and saunas which use heat which could burn or injure it further.
Avoid body scrubs, physical exfoliants, abrasive exfoliating gloves or brushes in treatment areas as these can make your skin extra sensitive. This includes using face wash and body lotion with chemical exfoliant such as alpha hydroxy acid or beta hydroxyl that remove dead skin cells from its surface.
After receiving laser hair removal treatment, it’s not unusual to experience redness and swelling at the site – which can feel similar to mild sunburn – for several days following. This is completely normal, and indicates that your body has started the healing process by working to destroy any damaged follicles that remain.
Niki suggests avoiding skincare products containing AHA and BHA as they can cause your pores to open up and render laser hair removal less effective. She advises against the use of acne products, retinol creams and self-tanners when scheduled for laser hair removal as these types of products could stimulate hair growth resulting in dark or tanned strands which isn’t desirable when having laser hair removal done.
Niki suggests purchasing a sugar scrub specifically designed for exfoliation and moisturization at most beauty stores. She emphasizes the importance of moisturizing after having laser hair removal treatments, suggesting using richer moisturizer than typical. She advises applying it daily and even using natural oils like olive oil as part of this routine to maintain skin hydration.
Avoid Heat
AHA/BHA products can be an excellent way to exfoliate, but you should avoid them on the day prior to laser hair removal as they can make pores more sensitive, increasing your risk of burn or sting during treatment. Furthermore, products containing photosensitive ingredients like retinol and glycolic acid (which are found in body washes and creams) should also be discontinued 1-2 weeks before your appointment date.
After your laser hair removal appointment, it is also wise to avoid hot showers and baths for 48 hours as their heat can burn the skin and lead to itching or rashes. Furthermore, hot tubs, saunas and any other humid environments should also be avoided due to this same reason. Also during this period, excessive scrubbing should be avoided while only mild soaps without added fragrances or chemicals should be used during bath time.
After receiving laser hair removal treatments, your skin may become itchy and irritated; it is essential not to scratch as this could lead to infection. Instead, try using soothing moisturizer to soothe it instead. Furthermore, try to limit direct and artificial sunlight exposure following each session as this could cause sunburns, rashes or other irritation.
At Foxy Laser, some clients may develop raised papules that resemble hives after receiving laser hair removal treatments. While these side effects usually subside within hours of treatment, if these signs persist for any length of time it’s wise to reach out for assistance immediately.
Most side effects from laser hair removal tend to subside quickly for most people, however there are several steps you can take at home to make your recovery more manageable. A cold compress or washcloth dampened with cool water applied directly on affected areas can reduce redness and swelling; taking anti-inflammatory medication such as Ibuprofen may help ease discomfort as well. Furthermore, it’s advisable not shaving treated areas until all signs of itching and sensitivity have subsided.
