Laser hair removal works by targeting and destroying individual follicles to stop new hair from growing back in their place, typically taking four or six treatments for optimal results.
Before receiving laser treatment, it is advisable to refrain from plucking and waxing in order to give the laser more of an opportunity to target pigment, or melanin, more effectively.
1. Avoid tweezing or waxing the day of your session
If you’re tired of shaving or waxing your hair (or both), and ready to give laser therapy a try, here are a few tips to ensure optimal results. To achieve maximum effectiveness with laser, it is crucial that the day of your session you don’t pluck or wax as this relies on pigment in each individual follicle to target its follicle; waxing and plucking remove that pigment, making it harder for laser to target each one and eliminate them all. Waxing and plucking remove pigment from each follicle making laser more difficult for it find and kill it effectively than otherwise.
Before your appointment, it is a good idea to shave the area being treated – this will enable the laser light to easily access hair follicles without cutting through layers of extra hair above your skin’s surface.
Before going in for laser hair removal, it is also wise to avoid bleaching your hair, as the chemical used for bleaching alters its pigment and makes it more challenging for the laser beam to locate and destroy each individual follicle.
Prior to your laser hair removal appointment, it is advisable to exfoliate. This will remove any dead skin cells clogging your pores and prepare the area for treatment with laser light.
2. Don’t pluck or shave the day of your session
On the day of your laser hair removal session, it’s crucial that you don’t pluck or shave any areas being treated. Plucking and waxing damage the follicle and make it more difficult for laser light to target pigment in its center; this can cause your hair to return thicker and darker than before! By contrast, shaving makes laser treatments more efficient by eliminating extra hair which might otherwise interfere with treatment sessions.
As part of your preparation for laser treatment, it’s wise to refrain from using any skincare products on the day of your appointment, including moisturizers, oils, deodorant or sunless tanning products. Doing so could cause the laser light to cause burning of the skin that could prove painful as well as less effective than expected.
Shaving may be permitted on the day of your session if it hasn’t been done for at least four weeks! Shaving will help to bring hair closer to the surface so it can be targeted by laser, while speeding up results by encouraging it to shed faster between appointments – something especially helpful if your locks have thicker locks which may interfere with laser hair removal results.
3. Avoid plucking or shaveing the day of your session
Ideal treatment areas should be shaved 24 hours before their laser hair removal session to ensure all visible hair can be targeted by the technician and targeted by laser technology. Shaving also helps minimize pain experienced during treatment sessions.
On the day of your appointment, it is crucial that you refrain from plucking or waxing, as this could impede the effectiveness of laser hair removal treatment. Waxing strips hair of its root so it may be more challenging for a laser beam to reach and destroy it. In addition, any skin products, including moisturizers and lotions should be avoided to decrease infection risks after treatment.
Make sure to arrive for laser hair removal sessions on time – although this may seem obvious, late arrivals can drastically impact their effectiveness. If something comes up and prevents you from attending your scheduled appointment, contact the salon in advance in order to reschedule.
If you need any assistance preparing for an upcoming laser hair removal appointment in Houston, do not hesitate to reach out. Our medical spa is more than happy to assist in getting you ready and will work closely with you toward reaching your desired goals.
4. Don’t sunbathe or swim the day of your session
Laser hair removal sessions work by targeting the pigment (color) of your hair with laser beams. However, if the area where you wish to remove hair is exposed to sunlight, its energy may become diminished and less effective; meaning you may not get what you were expecting out of treatment.
Before and after laser hair removal treatments, it is highly advised to limit sun exposure for one week to avoid sunburn, hyper-pigmentation or blisters. Sunscreen should also be worn daily – we suggest Banana Boat Mineral Enriched Sunscreen as a gentle yet lightweight sunscreen suitable for sensitive skin types.
After your laser hair removal treatment, it is not uncommon for your skin to appear red, swollen and tender due to hair follicles being temporarily damaged by its heat. To alleviate pain and reduce swelling, cold compresses may be used or take acetaminophen may help.
After your laser hair removal session, it is advisable to avoid swimming for 24 hours as chlorine and bacteria in lakes, rivers or the ocean can irritate the skin. Also wait several days before considering further skincare treatments such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion or IPL photofacial as these procedures can be harsh on the skin. A good quality non-comedogenic moisturizer will keep skin soft and supple without clogging pores or creating further irritation.
5. Avoid tanning the day of your session
Even if your skin tone is not particularly tanned, prolonged sun exposure can disrupt the hair follicle cycle and make laser treatments less effective, so it is essential that you avoid tanning before beginning laser sessions.
Not only should you forgoing tanning before your session, it is also wise to forgoing plucking or waxing on the day of your appointment as this disrupts hair follicles from entering their active growth phase – meaning additional sessions might be needed in order to reach desired results.
One way to ensure optimal results from laser treatment is to shave on or before your scheduled appointment day (or night before). Shaving removes longer hairs while inducing active growth phases in hair follicles that make laser targeting easier.
Avoid using any sunless skin creams that darken the skin prior to receiving laser treatment, and it’s wise to plan it in winter or in an area with no direct sunlight as tanned skin is more difficult and uncomfortable to treat effectively, increasing risk for redness or swelling as a side effect after laser treatments. If this bothers you, speak to your practitioner or visit a clinic with cooling gels and analgesics available – these may help manage this discomfort during treatments.
6. Avoid swimming or sunbathing the day of your session
Summertime means swimming pools and ocean waters; but when it comes to laser hair removal, be careful. Without taking proper precautions, your beautiful new smooth skin could quickly transform into burns, scabbing and razor bumps!
As laser hair removal affects the root of hair follicles, leaving skin more sensitive, it’s wise to avoid sunbathing and swimming on the day of your session. Chlorine found in pools may further irritate it!
Swimming should also be avoided because it opens your pores and may lead to an infection. Furthermore, body scrubs, loofahs or sponges may exacerbate any such infection after treatments; their use should also be limited for 24-48 hours after each session for best results.
Before engaging in laser hair removal sessions, it is crucial that you refrain from shaving, plucking, waxing and tanning in order to maximize the effectiveness and your level of comfort with this procedure. If you want a safe solution to maintaining smooth and supple skin during summer months then visit your nearest laser clinic now for a safe yet effective, comfortable yet permanent solution! We guarantee it! Contact us to find out more and book an appointment.
