Can You Safely Workout After Laser Hair Removal?

Brian Lett
By Brian Lett
11 Min Read

Can You Safely Workout After Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular solution to permanently eliminate unwanted body and facial hair. After receiving treatment, it is crucial that individuals understand how best to exercise post-procedure in order to minimize irritation to sensitive skin.

Typically, it is recommended that patients wait 48 hours before engaging in rigorous exercise and exposing the treated area to excessive sunlight exposure. You can still increase your heart rate with light exercise.

Wait at Least 24 Hours After Treatment

Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular solution to reduce unwanted hair. The procedure is quick, effective, and virtually painless; however, proper aftercare must be provided in order to ensure its success. When working out in areas treated by laser therapy there are specific guidelines that must be observed to avoid irritating sensitive skin in these locations.

Based on your skin type and exercise needs, depending on when and how often you undergo laser hair removal sessions. At minimum, allow at least 24 hours after each laser hair removal session for your skin to recover from heat generated during a laser session, which may cause redness and irritation. If exercising before this recommended period is up, attempt not to sweat excessively or expose your skin to direct heat; use cooling lotion on affected areas if necessary.

If you’re wondering whether it’s safe to exercise after laser hair removal, keep in mind that optimal results come from keeping hair follicles as short as possible. If you plan on undergoing multiple sessions of laser hair removal treatments, shaving the affected areas 24 hours prior to each appointment is highly recommended as it helps ensure all the hairs will be as short as possible and helps facilitate better laser results compared to shaving alone. Luckily, lasers target pigmented hair follicles rather than the surrounding skin or muscles during laser hair removal treatments!

As a general guideline, it’s wise to avoid activities that induce sweating during the first 48 hours following laser hair removal, as excessive sweating can irritate delicate skin around treated areas and result in rash or infection. Hot showers, saunas and steam rooms should also be avoided since their heat can heat up your skin and induce sweating.

Though it may be impossible to completely stop excessive sweating, you can take several measures to help lessen its discomfort. Avoid workouts that raise body temperature and, should sweating occur, gently blot the area with a towel instead of rubbing.

Avoid Excessive Sweating

Sweat in the treatment area can irritate hair follicles and result in rashes. Therefore, it is crucial that excessive sweating be limited for at least 24 hours post laser hair removal treatment to protect both yourself and the area treated from being overheated, which could potentially lead to skin infections or worse.

Low-impact exercises tend to be safe after laser hair removal treatments; however, high intensity workouts must be approached with caution; for instance jogging or engaging in intense gym sessions can increase body temperature and lead to sweaty exercise sessions that could increase perspiration significantly; thus you should avoid such workouts which cause excessive sweating after laser hair removal treatments.

If you are uncertain if exercise after laser hair removal is safe, always consult with a beautician or dermatologist. They will be able to give specific guidance tailored to your treatment plan and skin type.

Most experts suggest waiting at least 48 hours following laser hair removal before returning to regular exercise, since your body needs time to relax and decrease blood flow to the surface of the skin. Also during this period it’s wise to avoid hot showers or saunas for added safety.

Although most can safely resume their workout routine after 48 hours, those with darker skin or those receiving bikini laser hair removal will require longer for the treatment to fully settle in their bodies. This is especially true if undergoing laser hair removal on this area.

Laser hair removal is a fast, safe, and convenient solution for getting rid of unwanted facial and body hair. When performed by an experienced aesthetician or dermatologist, it can provide lasting results with no side effects. Please follow the recommendations above in order to achieve optimal results from treatment and avoid side effects.

Wear a Cooling Towel

As laser therapy targets only pigment in hair follicles, it will leave surrounding skin unaffected. It is therefore crucial that following your appointment, you keep the treatment area cool and calm by limiting heavy sweating or heat exposure; excessive perspiration can irritate skin and increase chances of blisters or rash development; both of which would thwart long-term success of results.

Laser hair removal is a quick and painless procedure. Most users compare it to being pinged by a needle or flicked by a rubber band; there may be mild swelling and temporary redness after your treatment, though they will generally subside quickly.

Even though exercise and physical activity can resume shortly after laser hair removal sessions, it’s best to wait at least 24 hours before hitting the gym or taking a hot shower. Excessive sweating may irritate skin cells and increase risk for rash or blisters in treated areas; high-intensity exercises or sports that raise heart rates such as jogging, weight lifting, Zumba or crossfit should also be avoided as much as possible.

If you do decide to work out, try wearing a cooling towel during your exercise session. Made from special material that absorbs eight times its own weight in water before using evaporation to cool skin, these towels can be worn around neck, head or shoulders while exercising for extra cooling relief. There’s an assortment of cooling towels online so that you can find one suitable to both your style and budget.

Not only will you need a cooling towel, but loose, comfortable clothing that won’t chafe against your skin is also essential. A loose tank top, light t-shirt or even an airy mesh bra may work for you; for longer hair consider tying it back in a ponytail or braid or using a headband as additional support.

Laser hair removal can make you feel great about yourself, so it is worth taking some time for relaxation and recovery after treatment. By following the above suggestions, you can safely resume regular workouts as soon as your skin has fully recovered.

Avoid Excessive Heat

As many are aware, laser hair removal is a safe and effective procedure; however, the treatment does present some potential side effects such as reddening and swelling of the skin. Therefore, after treatment it is important to avoid sunlight and heat as these may irritate any affected areas; if you exercise regularly you may wonder whether or not you can resume their workout regimen after laser hair removal; in that case it is safe to resume as long as you wait until healing has taken place before returning – in addition to following some simple rules of safety.

One reason it is wise to refrain from exercise immediately following laser hair removal sessions is that heavy sweating can exacerbate skin inflammation, increasing your chance of rash or infection and delaying healing time. Therefore, avoid workouts which cause excessive sweating such as jogging, spin classes, weight lifting or team sports like rugby.

Be mindful to refrain from applying astringents or exfoliants on any treated area as these will irritate and exacerbate symptoms, potentially interfering with healing. Instead, look for natural moisturizing products free from harsh chemicals and fragrances for best results.

Avoid taking hot showers, saunas and steam rooms as these can increase body temperature and impair the effectiveness of laser therapy treatments. Also wait at least until after surgery has taken place before applying lotions or products directly on treated areas to avoid oil build-up and buildup.

If you are interested in laser hair removal, Nao Medical offers more information and appointments for laser treatments. During our appointments, we review your individual needs to find out which method would be the most beneficial; then recommend the appropriate laser treatment plan to you. For optimal recovery after laser treatments, high intensity workouts should be avoided afterward but low impact activities are acceptable; also it’s wise to protect treated skin when outdoors with a hat or scarf and moisturize regularly to maintain optimal hydration of treated areas.

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