Laser hair removal is an efficient and quick solution to remove unwanted hair. However, after treatment the skin can become delicate so it’s essential that proper precautions be taken in order to safeguard its wellbeing.
Hot water can burn and blister the skin, so avoid taking extremely hot showers, and forgoing sauna use for at least a week after any procedure.
Avoid Sun Exposure
Laser hair removal can be an excellent way to get rid of unwanted hair quickly and reduce shaving or waxing time, saving people valuable time in doing so. After receiving laser treatment it’s essential that people take some precautions in order to protect the skin – key steps being avoiding sun exposure and wearing sunscreen.
Laser hair removal works by using laser beams to heat the skin and destroy the tiny hair follicles that produce new hair growth. Exposing treated areas to sunlight after laser hair removal sessions may result in hyperpigmentation and other negative side effects, including hyperpigmentation and possible permanent side effects such as hyperpigmentation and other side effects.
Before your laser hair removal appointment, it is wise to limit sun exposure as much as possible and to forgo tanning beds. If necessary, wear broad spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 rating when venturing outside – and remember to reapply every two hours!
Common side effects of laser hair removal may include itching, redness and an uncomfortable sunburn-like sensation. While these side effects can be uncomfortable and irritating, they usually subside after several days – any delays could potentially extend your recovery process and postpone future laser sessions.
After receiving laser hair removal treatments, it’s also important to use caution when applying lotion or other cosmetic products to the area. Your skin will likely be sensitive afterward so products with harsh chemicals or fragrances should be avoided as much as possible; exfoliation or scrubbing the treated area is also discouraged.
If the sun will negatively impact your results of laser hair removal treatments, consider scheduling them during winter or another season when the sunlight exposure will be lower. It would also be wise not to undergo such treatments on areas of skin such as legs and face that regularly see direct sunlight such as summer.
Stay Hydrated
During the healing process after laser hair removal, it’s essential to keep skin hydrated. A natural moisturizer that doesn’t contain harsh ingredients or fragrance should be applied throughout the day and multiple times. In addition, avoid hot showers, baths, saunas and heating pads which could irritate and burn your skin further.
When venturing out in the sun, make sure to use and reapply sunscreen with at least 30 SPF and often. Also recommended is clothing covering the treatment area such as long pants or a hat; furthermore it’s best to forgo self-tanners for several days after laser hair removal as these could cause the individual follicles of hair to darken further – something which you want to avoid!
After your session, it is normal to experience some redness and swelling in the treatment area, which should go away within hours or days. If irritation is severe, cooling aloe vera gel or lotion may help soothe irritation. Laser hair removal may also result in temporary changes to skin color such as hyperpigmentation (darkening) or hypopigmentation (lightening), though picking at these areas could result in infection.
Whenever you notice changes to your skin color, it is essential that you consult a medical provider immediately for advice. Your dermatologist may prescribe bleaching cream to fade the hue faster while speeding healing processes. In addition, until receiving clear instruction from their specialist, plucking or waxing should not be undertaken in the area where there has been change.
These tips will assist your skin during and after laser hair removal, helping you reach smooth results more quickly. Most patients require multiple sessions before seeing lasting changes – so be sure to heed these recommendations.
Exfoliate
Your efforts can go far towards making laser hair removal sessions go smoothly. The key is ensuring you come with clean skin and that the treatment area is free from lotions, moisturizers, or makeup to allow light energy to reach down into your follicle and destroy it – leading to hair follicles being destroyed and hair falling out within four weeks of treatment.
Scrubbing or scratching the area will only make it more sensitive, so exfoliating several times each week is recommended to help prevent hairs from getting trapped beneath your skin and to lessen their likelihood of ingrown hairs forming.
However, you should wait at least 24 hours after treatment before engaging in another exfoliation process. Your skin is likely going to be sensitive, and giving it time to recover is crucial!
When exfoliating, use a gentle scrub wash with damp cloth application. This will loosen any hairs trapped under your skin while the cloth allows you to safely remove them without irritating sensitive areas of your face.
At this point, it would also be wise to avoid chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid-laced peels or fruit enzymes as their ingredients could potentially cause redness and irritation on the face post laser hair removal treatment!
After your laser hair removal treatment, be sure to refrain from any hot showers or baths for at least 48 hours after. Even if it feels fine, just to be safe; similarly with saunas, hot tubs, or heating pads.
After laser hair removal, ingrown hairs are common if you switch from waxing or tweezing to shaving. They may be more difficult to treat but you can help prevent them by exfoliating regularly and using products designed specifically to combat ingrown hairs.
Avoid Heat
After laser hair removal, it’s normal to experience some skin irritation. Itching and pain similar to razor burn are common shortly after treatment, however it’s important not to scratch or pick at your skin, as doing so could cause blistering and infection. Instead, try applying cool compresses or moisturizers as soothing measures if persistent symptoms persist or worsen; otherwise contact your laser hair removal provider immediately.
After laser hair removal, it is advised to stay clear of extreme temperatures such as hot showers or saunas, since laser treatments produce heat responses in your skin that could overheat further causing it to overheat and become irritated. Instead it would be wiser to opt for lukewarm showers and wear loose-fitting clothing so as to protect sensitive areas such as legs.
Avoid tanning treatments and use high-SPF sunscreen on any treated areas if necessary; laser light relies on pigment to identify hair follicles, so if your skin contains more color it could lead to burn marks or hyperpigmentation from laser light focusing on these spots.
If you want to tan after laser hair removal treatment, it is recommended that you wait at least a week afterward and know that multiple sessions may be required to achieve optimal results from this form of therapy.
After laser hair removal treatment, it’s best to avoid products that could irritate the skin further, such as chemical exfoliants, glycolic acid-laced peels and facial cleansers with acne-fighting ingredients. Instead, choose gentle yet soothing options, like aloe vera gel, until your skin heals fully.
These tips will help you maximize the effectiveness of laser hair removal treatment and achieve smooth and beautiful skin. If you want to learn more about its potential benefits for you and your skin, schedule a free consultation online or call us at 215-503-FACE for further discussion.
