Based on your hair growth pattern, laser hair removal sessions spaced four to six weeks apart may be needed in order to achieve permanent reduction of unwanted hair growth. Touch-up treatments may also be necessary.
Laser treatments use light waves to target contrast between skin color and hair density, disabling or damaging hair follicles and thus rendering treatment ineffective. Shaving, waxing and plucking interfere with this process and reduce its efficacy.
1. Exfoliate
Exfoliation is an integral component of maintaining your skincare routine, helping remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. But you must do it responsibly so as not to cause irreparable harm to your skin; overdoing it could leave it red, raw and damaged – best avoided a week or so prior to laser hair removal appointments!
Before beginning treatment, it is also a wise idea to make sure the area in which you will be treating is clean. Lotions, moisturisers and self tanners could affect how effectively the treatment will take effect; for this reason it is recommended that any photosensitive medications be discontinued prior to attending sessions.
Before beginning laser hair removal treatments, it is recommended to refrain from shaving as close to an appointment as possible. Since lasers work by heating hair follicles to destroy them, shaving too close will reduce its effectiveness and hinder targeting. It would also be wise to avoid waxing and depilatory treatments such as Nair; both of which would interfere with how effectively the laser can target individual hairs.
After your treatment, it’s common for hairs to shed due to damage done by laser. This is a good sign; this indicates that laser has killed hair follicles effectively and they won’t regrowth; however, beware shaving these hairs; doing so could cause them to regrow quickly, leading to ingrown hairs and even ingrowns!
Aloe Vera can also help soothe skin after your laser session and reduce redness and inflammation, helping it feel smoother. In order to protect it further from sun exposure for 24 hours post treatment as it will still be sensitive. Should any discomfort arise after your session it’s essential that you inform your therapist of this immediately so they can advise the best course of action.
2. Shave
Shaving prior to laser hair removal is essential to ensure maximum effectiveness of laser energy being targeted at hair follicles and not being absorbed by dead skin above them, thus enabling more precise targeting. Therefore, it’s crucial that any dead skin be carefully and gently removed using a razor that has no debris attached and use fresh razors free from debris without soap or other products as these could potentially cause irritations on the skin and cause rashes or irritations during treatment.
If you have been shaving for some time before scheduling laser hair removal treatment, it may be beneficial to delay shaving for several days prior to the session. This will allow the skin to heal properly and will produce more precise shaves. Shaving on the day of treatment should also be avoided to avoid small grazes or bumps on the surface of the skin.
Before your laser hair removal appointment, it is crucial that you exfoliate the area to remove any extra skin cells which may be blocking hair follicles. Also avoid lotions or other skin products on this area as these could increase light sensitivity and affect results negatively.
Once your laser hair removal treatment is completed, the damaged follicles will start shedding hair over the course of four to five days post treatment – this is normal and completely expected as any old unwanted growth that was destroyed by laser will come loose from its root system and be shed as part of this natural process. While you may see some hair growing back after your first treatments have concluded, it will usually be much finer and sparser than before.
As opposed to waxing or applying depilatory creams, laser hair removal treatments do not require you to allow your hair to grow out before each treatment session, making scheduling appointments much simpler and more convenient. Laser sessions will still need to be scheduled on an irregular basis but much less often than waxing or other at-home hair removal options such as shaving. You may still need to shave between sessions but your new growth should be finer and sparser than what would have grown without treatments.
3. Cleanse
If you are tired of shaving or waxing to remove unwanted hair, laser hair removal could be the answer. Treatment sessions typically last 6-9 sessions, and afterward most patients don’t require shaving anymore!
To get the best results from laser hair removal, it’s essential to prepare your skin properly. This means exfoliating and shaving before your appointment as well as refraining from waxing or plucking because this disrupts hair follicles necessary for treatment by laser. Furthermore, tanning beds or spray tans should also be avoided in advance, while certain medications could make you sensitive to light used during treatments.
As is always recommended when having laser treatments on your legs, be sure to wear loose, comfortable clothing – anything tight may irritate freshly lasered skin and cause itching and redness. Also bring water or snacks for yourself during your treatment and a spare pair of pants so you can change in the waiting room if necessary.
On the day of your treatment, it is recommended to gently scrub the targeted area with warm water and gentle soap to remove dirt, lotions or makeup to minimize risk of bacterial infection and inflammation after your session. In addition, it may be beneficial to apply a topical anesthetic for increased comfort during and post appointment.
Your eyes should always be protected during laser treatments by wearing special goggles to block out the laser light, and for 24 hours afterward any exposure to extreme heat such as hot tubs or saunas should also be avoided. Furthermore, moisturizing lotion or oils are available that will keep the area soft and supple.
Shaving at least 24 hours prior to every laser hair removal appointment is critical in order to ensure the hair length can be treated effectively by the laser, and that any too close shaves don’t encourage faster hair regrowth and interfere with treatments. Shaved hair also tends to respond better than un-shaven ones to the laser’s destruction process.
4. Moisturize
Before getting laser hair removal, it is crucial that your skin be in an ideal state for treatment. That means keeping it free of products like moisturizers that could act as barriers between hair follicles and laser light sources – and effective treatment of your area. You should try not moisturizing 24 hours prior to your laser hair removal appointment for maximum effectiveness.
An important thing to keep in mind prior to laser therapy sessions is not plucking or waxing the area prior. Plucking and waxing remove hair roots, making it impossible for the laser’s light beams to capture them with its light beams; thus it is recommended that any plucking or waxing be stopped six weeks before your appointment date.
Before beginning treatment, be cautious not to overshave and use only quality, sharp razors. Over-shaving can result in painful razor burn that could put an additional strain on the skin and result in inflammation or infection of the area being shaved.
Finally, when shaving it’s essential to use gentle pressure. This will help avoid razor bumps which may appear after laser hair removal sessions. If any bumps or redness remain after treatment is complete it may be beneficial to apply some cooling aloe vera gel or lotion for relief.
After receiving laser hair removal treatments, it’s advised to forgo hot showers, tubs, saunas and heating pads as the heat can make skin sensitive and irritable, interfering with results of treatment.
As part of your laser hair removal treatment, exfoliation should be an ongoing component. Exfoliation helps accelerate shedding processes and prepares your skin for laser hair removal treatment. For best results, aim to attend four or five laser hair removal sessions and this should ensure all unwanted hair has been effectively eliminated from your body. For any questions about laser hair removal or to schedule an appointment please don’t hesitate to contact us!
