During the healing process, it’s normal and a good sign that hair in the treated area has begun shedding.
Hair color and skin tone play an integral part in determining the success of laser hair removal treatments. A contrast in pigments allows the laser to more accurately target and destroy hair follicles without harming surrounding tissues.
Shaving
Laser hair removal uses light beams to target melanin in hair follicles and destroy them, thus stopping future hair growth. Although it requires multiple sessions for full effect, laser hair removal could potentially make shaving and other non-permanent methods of hair removal obsolete over time. After your laser hair removal treatment you’ll notice that your hair begins to thin – this is normal and happens as your body sheds dead hairs targeted by laser treatments – you may see the process speed up by exfoliating the area more often or by speeding up exfoliation to hasten the process more quickly if possible.
Shaving is recommended prior to laser hair removal appointments, while waxing or tweezing should not be done, because light beams used for laser hair removal work best on hair that remains attached at its roots – when waxed or tweezed hair is pulled straight out from its root beneath your skin surface and the laser beams cannot get to them as effectively.
Shaving is also highly encouraged prior to laser hair removal treatments to avoid ingrown hairs, which are an uncomfortable side effect of shaving and can often occur as a result. With laser treatments however, ingrown hairs are far less likely to arise as an adverse reaction.
After your laser hair removal sessions have concluded, shaving should only be necessary occasionally to keep the area clear of stubble and unwanted hairs. After six or more laser sessions have been performed, shaving becomes less necessary over time.
When shaving, be sure to use a safe numbing cream (oatmeal or aloe vera are both great choices) for your specific skin type. If the pain of numbing becomes an issue for you, speak to us about using an ice pack as a preventive measure before receiving laser treatment.
If you’re curious about laser hair removal, reach out to LH Spa & Rejuvenation today to schedule a consultation and determine whether laser hair removal will meet your needs and recommend an individual plan that will produce lasting results.
Waxing
Laser treatments target hair roots directly and destroy them completely, unlike shaving which only removes surface-level hairs from your skin. Therefore, before your session it is vital that you shave the area to be treated. Also avoid plucking or waxing which can disrupt hair follicles that could interfere with laser treatment sessions; use bleaching cream four weeks beforehand in order to lighten skin before laser sessions begin.
Your first laser hair removal treatment should bring noticeable reduction in body hair growth; however, please remember it can take up to three weeks for it to fully shed off and your skin to return to its previous state – further laser treatments sessions will likely be necessary for more long-term results.
Laser treatment for unwanted body hair removal is one of the most efficient and effective strategies available today, eliminating manual depilation which may lead to painful ingrown hairs and decreasing its appearance while increasing confidence in yourself and making you feel good in your own skin.
Laser hair removal can also be much less painful than waxing. While some individuals do experience some minor discomfort during laser sessions, most report feeling similar to having tiny rubber bands flicked against their skin.
Though some individuals may see results after just one treatment, most men and women require six to eight treatments at four-six week intervals in order to ensure that hair follicles are completely destroyed so as to prevent future hair growth.
Many people discover that after attending several laser treatment sessions, their frequency of hair removal drops significantly – some even stop shaving altogether! However, maintenance sessions will still need to be scheduled annually in order to catch any stray hairs which might remain after laser has completely destroyed them.
Exfoliating
Shaving is a time-consuming task for both men and women, often taking weeks or even months. Unfortunately, this process costs both time and money over time.
One way to reduce shaving time and save yourself time and effort is with laser hair removal treatments. While they may eliminate the need for shaving altogether, you should still know that there will be certain tasks you must complete after having this done.
Waxing or plucking should be avoided prior to laser hair removal treatments as these methods remove hair by plucking its root from its follicle – exactly what the laser needs to target. Furthermore, sun tanning beds or self-tanners should also be avoided as these could potentially cause skin discoloration.
Before arriving for an appointment, be sure to shower as this will remove any excess oil from the skin and allow the laser to access hair follicles more effectively. Also avoid applying moisturizer prior to your session as this could block it from reaching them and interfere with laser.
After your laser hair removal treatment, you may observe some hair falling out naturally – this is perfectly normal and shows that the treatment has been successful; however, continued shaving of any new growth of hair could irritate skin further and delay the healing process.
Due to this reason, it is generally advised that one wait several days after their laser hair removal appointment before shaving. When doing so, however, use a sharp razor with exfoliated skin before using it; this will prevent any bacterial infections from developing on the surface of skin after treatment.
Keep in mind that full skin recovery after laser hair removal may take several weeks; during this time it would be prudent to apply a thick layer of aloe vera before shaving to minimize irritation.
Skin Care
After laser hair removal, you must be extra gentle with your skin in the early days following. We suggest using only gentle cleansers (ideally fragrance-free) and avoid overexfoliating as this may cause irritation. Incorporating 100% pure aloe vera gel into your regimen as it provides comforting relief to sensitive skin types.
After treatment, it’s natural for your treated area to feel dry and itchy for several days; try your best not to scratch at any scabs or dry, flaky patches that form as this could cause scarring and infection if scratching occurs. Instead use cold compresses or ice packs on the skin instead if this becomes necessary.
Take care to protect the skin from direct sunlight, as prolonged exposure may result in dark spots or hyperpigmentation. Always apply broad spectrum sunscreen with at least 30 SPF and reapply frequently; additionally it would be wise to seek shade after laser hair removal for several weeks; otherwise cover treated areas with a hat and scarf if going outside is unavoidable.
Once your first few sessions of laser hair removal treatments have completed, you should begin to experience results from them. Follicular-level hair loss should occur and those remaining should become significantly lighter, thinner and less noticeable; depending on your hair growth cycle this could take anywhere between six treatments for maximum effectiveness.
Following the advice given to you by your laser hair removal specialist is vitally important, as failing to do so could result in additional skin damage and decreased laser effectiveness. Furthermore, it’s wise to avoid shaving, waxing or tweezing any area where laser treatments have taken place.
If you are considering laser hair removal, LH Spa & Rejuvenation would love to arrange a consultation! Our friendly and knowledgeable team will be more than happy to address any queries or help you achieve silky-smooth skin!
