Before receiving laser therapy, it is wise to avoid plucking, waxing and bleaching as these practices disrupt hair follicles and make the laser less effective.
Men and women typically see long-term (even permanent) results after six to eight treatments; some with darker hair or skin may require maintenance treatments between sessions to catch any stray hairs that emerge between appointments.
Waxing
Laser hair removal offers a permanent solution to unwanted body hair. Unlike waxing, which only removes surface skin hairs, laser treatment eliminates the hair follicle so that less future hair grows out from it. Unfortunately, though it’s possible some may regrowth after multiple laser sessions are completed; to minimize risk it is wiser not to wax again until all sessions have been finished with laser.
As part of a laser hair removal session, medical specialists clean the area being treated before applying numbing gel if necessary. Once numbed, specialists focus a beam of high-energy light onto it – typically taking anywhere between five minutes and an hour, depending on its size; many experience this treatment as feeling like hundreds of rubber bands flicking against their skin!
Before undertaking laser hair removal, it is essential that the area be shaved so the skin can absorb all of the energy from the laser light source. Furthermore, all forms of hair removal such as waxing or plucking should be discontinued for several weeks prior to treatment as these methods of hair removal destroy follicles that prevent laser from working effectively.
For maximum effectiveness, it’s best to complete all laser treatments prior to engaging in any form of waxing or shaving again. Furthermore, making an effort not to tan for several weeks before your laser session may help avoid pigmentation issues in that area.
If you can’t give up shaving or waxing entirely, make sure you choose a razor with an appropriate blade for your skin type and avoid any shaving cream that could burn or irritate it. Furthermore, wait to moisturize the areas affected until after laser treatment has concluded before applying moisturizer to them.
After laser hair removal treatment, it’s normal to experience some hair regrowth over time. At this point, touch-up treatments may be needed to control this new growth; however, its appearance should typically be much finer and lighter than before.
Shaving
Laser hair removal uses light energy that penetrates the skin to damage chromophores (aka pigment or melanin) present in hair follicles, thus inhibiting further hair growth in that area. It’s an affordable and efficient alternative to waxing that leaves you with smooth, hairless skin – though you should allow enough time for healing between treatments sessions as shaver too soon can disrupt this process and lead to damage and hyperpigmentation of the area.
Many individuals who undergo laser treatment assume it will permanently eliminate the need to shave or wax, yet this may not be true for all. Most typically require between 6 to 8 treatments every four weeks to achieve the level of permanent hair reduction desired; even then it’s likely you may require occasional shaving of light fluffy regrowth that may surface.
Prior to laser treatments, it’s best to forego waxing or plucking as this will prevent the laser from targeting the follicles in that area. In general, shaving or trimming cream use should stop at least two weeks prior to any scheduled appointments.
After laser treatment, shaving or using shaving creams are still options in the days following therapy; just ensure to use a sharp razor or electric shaver to achieve optimal results.
Once the area has healed, you can resume your usual shaving routine; however, wait a few days until shedding appears as this indicates hairs dying and will eventually fall out.
If you notice new hair regrowth in an area, then laser treatment might be in order. Laser does not respond to blond, grey, or red hairs; therefore, any such growth must still be addressed using waxing or shaving. Furthermore, moisturizer is advised after each session as this will speed up healing time.
Trimming Creams
If you want the best results from laser hair removal treatments, it is vital that you do not shave or use trimming creams before or after your appointment. Shaving too soon may disrupt hair follicles and prevent them from reaching the surface, thus diminishing effectiveness of treatment. Furthermore, waxing the area could result in painful and annoying ingrown hairs which reduce its effectiveness further.
After receiving laser treatments, it is normal to experience some itching or bumps; however, you should not scratch these areas because this could lead to infection of your skin. Instead, cool aloe vera gel or lotion should be applied directly on these spots in order to relieve pain and itching, while perfume-laden or cosmetic lotions should also be avoided as these can irritate skin further. Using cold packs or an ice pack may help alleviate itching in treated areas.
Laser hair removal sessions typically provide permanent results within six weeks, although multiple sessions may be necessary to achieve maximum effectiveness. Hair growth occurs in cycles and lasers can only target active growth stage follicles; as such, you could require up to eight laser treatment sessions before experiencing significant reduction in hair growth.
Laser hair removal often leads to changes in skin pigmentation, including hyper- and hypopigmentation, that may last temporarily; to protect yourself during this period of transition it is wise to stay out of direct sunlight and wear sunscreen regularly to keep the condition at bay.
Before getting laser hair removal treatment, it is recommended to limit plucking or waxing and foregoing tanning or skin bleaching products for six weeks prior. Doing so will protect the light beams used during treatment from interference as well as potentially damage hair follicles. If need be, lightly shave any area being treated either the night before or day of your laser session for best results.
Tweezing
Laser hair removal works by targeting the pigment in your hair, which causes its follicles to weaken and eventually stop producing new strands of hair. Although permanent results may take multiple treatments, proper aftercare must still be practiced; this includes staying out of direct sunlight, exfoliating several times each week, not waxing, trimming creams or wax strips being applied, as well as not showers, saunas or hot tubs that could potentially burn or blister the skin.
If you must use hair removal cream, it is wise to wait until after receiving laser therapy treatment as some contain ingredients which could irritate or disrupt laser treatments. Tweezing may be uncomfortable and should not be recommended for people with sensitive skin.
Shave the treatment area between laser sessions. Shaving will trim hair at its root, which may prevent thicker or darker growth when treatments end.
Waxing should also be avoided in areas that have undergone laser treatment, as this removes hair from its root and may prevent it from falling out naturally after laser therapy has taken effect. Waxing may lead to thicker or darker regrowth that requires further laser sessions for removal.
After receiving laser treatment, your hair should start shedding naturally within seven to 30 days after starting therapy. While this process may cause red bumps or bumps during shedding, it should still be less uncomfortable than tweezing or shaving; however, you should refrain from scrubbing or tweezing while it sheds naturally.
Though it is normal for hair to grow between laser sessions, it may grow patchier, thinner, and lighter than usual. If this occurs after your treatment has begun, make an appointment to touch up with your practitioner as soon as possible if necessary; avoid any harsh treatments like scrubbing or tweezing as these activities could interfere with their effectiveness and delay their full healing effects.
