Laser hair removal is an effective treatment to stop hair growth by heating hair follicles directly. The procedure feels similar to snapping rubber bands against your skin and can take between 30-90 minutes per area treated, depending on its size.
Your doctor will press a handheld device against your skin, and may apply cooling devices or gel to reduce discomfort. Each pulse of laser takes less than one second, enabling treatment of multiple hairs simultaneously.
1. Avoid Sunlight
Though laser hair removal is relatively safe, sun exposure may cause skin damage when the treated area is exposed. Therefore, it’s vitally important to protect the skin before and after laser treatment by limiting direct sunlight exposure as this may reduce sunburn risk as well as cancerous growths or hyperpigmentation risks. Wear sunscreen with high SPF rating along with protective clothing like wide-brim hats or long sleeves in order to safeguard yourself.
Although laser hair removal with a tan is possible, it’s wise to limit sun exposure prior to your appointment as much as possible. Lasers adjust according to pigment color; tanning could prevent your laser from reaching its target and potentially lead to painful burning, discoloration or scarring of skin.
Additionally to avoiding sun exposure, it’s also advisable to refrain from scrubbing affected areas with loofahs and exfoliators, as these products can irritate sensitive skin. It is also wise to utilize moisturizer with SPF 30+ protection frequently during outdoor activity and apply often – this will protect the affected skin against further irritation.
Avoid tanning prior to laser hair removal treatments as the heat from the sun can increase the chance of skin burn or scald, which could interfere with treatment results and cause permanent damage. Furthermore, two weeks should pass between sessions without tanning being undertaken.
After laser treatments, patients should also aim to limit sun exposure as their skin will be more sensitive. Prolonged exposure can lead to burns, scarring and hyperpigmentation if left exposed for too long; to avoid these issues it’s wise to use sunscreen with a high SPF and liberally apply it; additional layers such as protective clothing (hat and long sleeves) might also help. Scrubbing or exfoliating after treatment could further irritate skin damage so patients should wait until healing has completed before beginning these activities again.
2. Wear Sunglasses
Sunglasses are protective eyewear designed to shield eyes from direct sunlight and high-energy visible light sources that could otherwise cause harm or discomfort, such as the UV rays emitted by computers or phones. Most sunglasses are composed of either plastic, metal, or combinations thereof – metal frames tending to be more durable than plastic frames; there are various frame types available (aviator style and wraparound frames can be found); tinted lenses also help reduce visible light but do not block UV rays completely.
As part of laser hair removal treatments, it’s vitally important to wear protective glasses during laser treatments in order to keep the laser beam from coming into contact with your eyes and endangering your safety. There are two primary types of protective lenses used during these treatments – clear and dark; clear glasses tend to be preferred as they don’t obscure vision of technicians performing treatment while dark glasses tend to be reserved for more powerful lasers.
While sunglasses might just seem like fashion accessories, they’re an essential item in protecting our eyes from sun. Quality sunglasses protect you against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays which can lead to eyelid cancer, cataracts and macular degeneration – not to mention they reduce eye strain caused by bright sunlight!
When purchasing sunglasses, make sure they feature “UVA and UVB protection” or similar words on their packaging. Over time, sunglasses may deteriorate; therefore it’s essential that they’re replaced regularly to remain effective.
Make sure the frames fit snugly over your ears and nose without pinching or rubbing, and that they’re light enough to avoid placing unnecessary stress on contact points such as ears and nose. Adjustable frames may have an adjustable wire core around these points; you could also try using an elastic band to keep them secure. Finally, invest in frames designed to block out bright lighting so they’re more effective during laser hair removal sessions.
3. Wear Contact Lenses
At laser hair removal sessions, it’s best to forego wearing contact lenses if possible. Doing so could cause your eyes considerable discomfort and pain as they absorb moisture and oxygen from your corneas, meaning your eyes are missing out on necessary nutrients and air supply.
Dry eye syndrome can have serious repercussions for overall eye health. If you wear contacts, be sure to keep them clean and replace them regularly, while also limiting their use as this could lead to irritation.
Before your laser treatments, you should avoid tanning beds and artificial tanners as these may interfere with its results. Tanning can absorb laser energy and cause severe burning or scarring on tanned skin – potentially jeopardizing its results and increasing risk for scarring.
If you plan to visit a salon for laser hair removal, bring along your own pair of protective goggles that meet the appropriate wavelength requirements and feature side and top shields to shield you from laser beams which could otherwise damage your eyesight if exposed directly.
Typically, multiple laser hair removal sessions will be necessary in order to experience desired results. Treatment time varies according to which part of your body you’re treating – for instance, underarm treatments could only take minutes while bikini areas could require up to an hour-and-a-half.
If you suffer from medical conditions like genital herpes or psoriasis, laser hair removal might not be your ideal solution. Before making this decision, consult a dermatologist. People with darker skin, thick hair or both often make good candidates for laser treatment as it allows the laser beams to more accurately target hairs than when applied directly on thin or light skin tones; it should not be recommended for children or those suffering from photosensitive conditions like photodermatitis.
4. Stay Hydrated
Avoid tanning or any exposure to heat for 3-4 weeks prior to laser hair removal appointments if possible; this will protect both your skin and yourself from potential side effects of laser treatments, like discoloration or scarring caused by tanning sessions. Tanning makes skin particularly susceptible to heat exposure from laser treatments, increasing its risks while providing no added radiance benefits.
Not only should you avoid sun exposure, but there are other things you should do to prepare your skin for laser hair removal. First of all, moisturize with an unfragranced lotion; this can help minimize dryness and itching that might otherwise make laser treatment uncomfortable.
On the day of your laser appointment, it is also essential that you thoroughly cleanse the treatment area. Make sure the area is free from dirt or other debris that might impede its effectiveness; also try avoiding body scrubs as they may be too harsh on the skin; finally avoid taking excessively hot showers or baths if possible.
Last, but certainly not least, you should also avoid skincare products containing alcohol, AHAs or BHAs as these can irritate the skin during laser treatments, increasing discomfort.
If you are uncertain which products are appropriate, it is best to speak to a dermatologist or laser technician as they will be able to recommend products tailored specifically for your skin type.
Prior to your laser hair removal appointment, it may also be beneficial to take some over-the-counter pain relievers in order to lessen any discomfort experienced during the procedure. This will significantly lessen any anxiety or pain during your session.
As a final step, it is wise to wait approximately one week before returning to extremely hot showers or tubs, in order to give the skin time to recover from any burning and itching that may have arisen during treatment. Also try and use gentle exfoliators without fragrance.
