Laser hair removal involves using a beam of light to target the pigment in your hair, while post-laser treatments it is important that patients avoid direct sunlight as photodamage may increase significantly.
Patients should use sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF protection against both UVA and UVB rays to provide maximum sun protection.
Exposure to the Sun
If you are undergoing laser hair removal, it’s essential that you take measures to protect your skin both during and after treatment. As this process can make skin more vulnerable to heat exposure, protecting it with sunscreen or sunblock is important in avoiding sun damage or hyperpigmentation.
Limiting sun exposure before and after laser hair removal can be one of the best ways to safeguard your skin, helping avoid permanent skin damage while making treatments more efficient.
Sunbathing should be avoided at least 72 hours before beginning laser hair removal treatments, as the laser targets pigment in your follicles; if your skin becomes tanned during this period, its laser could misidentify it for hair follicles and cause harm or burn to it instead.
If you have an artificial tan from tanning beds or self-tanners, it is also wise to allow it to fade before seeking laser hair removal treatment. An artificial tan could impede its effectiveness and increase your risk of hyperpigmentation or scarring complications.
After laser hair removal, it is important to protect yourself from sunbathing in order to shield your skin from UV rays that could potentially cause hyperpigmentation and other complications.
After laser hair removal sessions, it’s advisable to apply sunscreen regularly. Doing so can help prevent sunburn; especially important is using broad spectrum protection that provides UVA and UVB ray protection.
Physical sunscreen is preferable to chemical sunscreen as it will block out UV rays while chemical ones absorb them. Furthermore, using an SPF high enough to reapply often will protect from sunburn while wearing clothing and hats will provide further shelter against the elements and allow you to enjoy an even tan without risk of skin damage. By following these precautions you can achieve a stunning summer tan without incurring further skin damage.
Exfoliation
As part of your skin’s natural exfoliation cycle, your body sheds dead cells to make way for newer ones. This cycle typically lasts 30 days but can be interrupted by events like shaving or laser hair removal. Dead cells build up on your skin over time and reduce absorption of topical skin care products, so dermatologists advise regular exfoliation using either a scrub, natural bristle brush, loofah or loofah for maximum efficacy – however if overexfoliated regularly or with too much force this may make your skin oversensitive to sun light exposure resulting in irreparable permanent damage to skin cells that need repair by the immune system – they must come off eventually or risk becoming oversensitive over time and permanent damage results in permanent skin damage that requires repair by permanent repair by other means than exfoliation alone.
No matter which exfoliating method you use, it’s crucial that you limit sun exposure at least a week or two prior to laser hair removal treatment in order to increase effectiveness and decrease any potential side effects such as burns, scarring or hyperpigmentation from occurring.
As with other treatments, plucking or waxing areas that will be treated can stimulate hair follicle regrowth, so broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 should be applied after each session of treatment.
Prior to commencing laser hair removal sessions, it’s also essential that the area being treated be shaved. The laser targets pigment in your hair follicles; long hairs on this area could absorb too much of its energy and be damaged or burned off by laser light, unlike with plucking and waxing which leave behind uncomfortable stubble.
After your laser hair removal treatment, it is normal to experience some redness or sensitivity similar to sunburn in the treated area. Creams or gels or cool compresses may help ease these symptoms; alternatively if you experience histamine reactions post-procedure you could take over-the-counter antihistamines such as Benadryl or Zyrtec for faster relief from itching and swelling.
Sunscreen
Laser hair removal uses highly focused beams of light to destroy and inhibit future hair growth in targeted areas. Since laser hair removal works best on untanned skin, it is essential that patients limit sun exposure prior and post treatment, particularly in summertime, in order to protect both delicate areas like those exposed to UV rays from the sun as well as prevent burns from taking place.
Before Your Laser Hair Removal Session
In preparation for a laser hair removal appointment on either your face, bikini line, or legs, it’s wise to minimize direct sun exposure for at least two weeks prior to treatment to help decrease hyperpigmentation and other potential side effects of laser treatment. Your dermatologist should advise this.
As for your actual session, expect a minor sting as the laser hits the area you have selected for treatment. This sensation is similar to when getting rubber bands snapped against your skin; sometimes there will even be sulfur-like smells from smoke generated during treatment; but these sensations should diminish over time and eventually subside completely. For added comfort you may apply cool compress or ice pack directly onto the area being treated.
Before leaving home after laser hair removal, it’s essential to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Protective accessories like hats or scarves may help further safeguard areas treated.
Waxing or plucking areas where you have had laser treatments could stimulate new hair follicles and undermine the results. Exfoliation should be practiced regularly using gentle scrubs or moisturizers containing aloe vera to keep skin hydrated and supple.
Sunburn
Laser hair removal uses a high-heat laser. Some practitioners apply a cooling device prior to laser use in order to help avoid burns and blisters from burning your skin, helping avoid burns and blisters from burning the laser beam onto you. A good practitioner will also check that you do not have an allergy to it; otherwise a specialist can find another type of laser or alternative methods of hair removal treatment if necessary.
Sunburn can make your skin even more susceptible to UV radiation damage from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation (UV), making you even more susceptible to its damaging rays and even potentially cancerous effects. Sunburn increases sun sensitivity so it is wise to wear sunscreen regularly and limit tanning beds or excessive sun exposure – particularly following laser hair removal procedures.
Your laser hair removal session could last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on the area being treated. Your skin may become red and swollen after laser hair removal; to relieve discomfort apply a soothing lotion or cream and take steps such as not rubbing the area while getting plenty of rest. Make sure to follow any recommendations made by your physician both prior to and following laser hair removal treatment.
Laser hair removal treatments should be scheduled at regular intervals to keep hair from growing back. While individual needs vary, most individuals need at least four sessions every four weeks for facial hair and six to eight sessions for body hair. After laser treatments have taken place, you should protect your skin by staying out of direct sunlight and applying broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen to your skin to safeguard its recovery.
If you have dark skin, laser hair removal could increase the risk of sunburn due to targeting melanin exclusively; thus, darker-colored or blonde hair absorbs light more effectively, helping it absorb energy from the laser light source than lighter colors would do.
Laser hair removal should be undertaken prior to getting a tan; otherwise you’ll have to wait for its effects to subside before receiving treatment. In order to maximize laser hair removal results, it’s advisable to limit plucking, waxing and shaving in advance as these activities could affect its ability to target roots properly.
