Prevent skin damage such as hyper-pigmentation. Your practitioner will give specific guidance depending on your treatment area and type of laser used.
Prior and following laser appointments, be sure to apply plenty of broad spectrum sunscreen. Wearing long sleeved clothing and a wide brim hat can also help protect the skin.
Sun Damage
Laser hair removal uses high-intensity lighting to specifically target melanin in hair follicles and destroy them, leaving your skin sensitive and exposed. As this process can result in sun damage, it is crucial to protect it both before and after having this treatment performed. Therefore it is crucial that proper sun protection be employed prior to getting laser hair removal done.
Sun damage to skin cells caused by overexposure cannot be reversed. That’s why it’s essential to wear sunscreen every day – even on cloudy days – and wear long sleeves or wear a hat when venturing outdoors.
Prior to laser hair removal, it is highly advised that you refrain from tanning, and book an appointment with a physician rather than a nurse or aesthetician. A physician will be better equipped to select the most effective lasers based on your skin type while offering advice about prepping for surgery and answering any inquiries you might have about prepping for your procedure.
After laser hair removal, it is also wise to avoid direct sunlight for at least two weeks after each session, to allow your skin to recuperate properly and minimize risk of burns or hyperpigmentation. If necessary, wear broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and apply frequently as this will provide maximum protection.
Finally, it’s essential that you inform your technician of any recent sun exposure prior to and post laser hair removal. Lying about sun exposure could result in adverse reactions that alter results; such as redness, bumps or itchy skin. Always better be safe than sorry!
No matter the severity of sunburns or sun damage, laser hair removal can help remove unwanted hairs for healthier-looking skin. Ideal for busy schedules wanting an alternative to shaving or waxing, Knott Street Dermatology provides more information regarding laser hair removal treatments. For more details regarding laser hair removal please contact them.
Tanning
Laser hair removal uses strong bolts of energy that penetrate deep into hair follicles to penetrate deeply and destroy them, and these pulses may aggravate sunburned skin or cause adverse side effects like irritation and hyperpigmentation if tanned before your laser hair removal sessions – especially during summer months. It is therefore advised not to tan before starting laser hair removal treatments – and, when tanning, to wait at least 24 hours prior to getting laser treatment done.
When your skin is free from tan, the laser can safely target melanin pigment in hair follicles without distrubing surrounding skin. But when tanned skin absorbs laser’s energy and heat from it can burn or discolour it – hence why people with tanned skin are generally advised to wait at least two weeks before returning to tanning, although individual circumstances will ultimately decide this decision.
As part of your pre-laser hair removal preparations, it is wise to avoid tanning during the weeks leading up to sessions. Overexposure can worsen side effects like redness and swelling while throwing your treatment schedule off balance with summer’s bright days – particularly with traditional high energy “shot” based laser systems; however newer Soprano Ice Platinum and Titanium laser systems emit lower energy pulses which are safer on tanned skin.
As soon as your laser treatments have completed, it is wise to avoid tanning. Your skin may be particularly delicate after being treated and too much UV exposure can damage it further, leading to various unpleasant symptoms from discomfort to discoloration. Therefore, sunscreen must be used on areas treated each day with broad spectrum SPF protection to minimize sun damage.
Even if you were successful in avoiding tanning before laser hair removal sessions, it is still wise to protect the skin afterward from sun exposure. One effective strategy for doing this is wearing long-sleeved shirts and applying sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 when outdoors. Moisturizing creams with fragrance-free formulas that suit sensitive skin may also help. These measures will ensure that your skin remains hydrated and nourished as it recovers from its treatment by keeping its cells well hydrated and nourished after going under laser therapy sessions.
Preparation
Laser hair removal uses pulses of light to selectively destroy melanin from hair follicles on your skin, effectively blocking future growth. If your skin contains too much melanin, treatment might not be successful; therefore it is crucial that areas undergoing laser hair removal be protected from sun damage prior to being treated by using high-quality sunscreen (SPF 30+ is ideal) every day, in addition to wearing protective clothing like wide-brimmed hats and long sleeves while outdoors.
Avoid sun exposure, particularly tanning beds, for several weeks prior to your laser hair removal appointment. This will allow your skin to return to its natural hue and maximize success of results.
If you fail to heed this advice and attend your laser hair removal session with sunburnt or tanned skin, your practitioner may have to reschedule until the effects of sun exposure have worn off. Sunburns can interfere with laser hair removal treatment’s efficacy and increase redness or hyperpigmentation in treated areas, rendering treatment ineffective.
As part of your preparations for laser hair removal sessions, it is recommended to shave the area being targeted at least a day or two in advance. Shaving helps the laser target hair follicles more easily while also helping avoid post-treatment scab formation.
As summer is fast approaching, it is wise to carry an extra tube of sunscreen with you so that you can reapply frequently throughout the summer as you spend time outside. This can be especially important if you plan on engaging in long walks, hiking, swimming or other outdoor activities in the months to come. To stay sun safe while sunbathing safely, invest in sun-protecting accessories like hats or visors that you can wear with your summer ensembles for added sun protection.
Aftercare
Once the laser lights have faded away, you must ensure you treat the treated area carefully and according to the advice of your dermatologist in order to minimize side effects and achieve maximum results. Your physician should provide specific guidelines in this regard.
After laser sessions, your treatment area may become red and irritated for several hours or days afterward, depending on your skin type. A cool compress or soothing ointment should help ease irritation; direct sun exposure should also be avoided as much as possible for at least the first month following laser treatments; wear broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen when going outside and frequently reapply it – aloe vera gel products such as these can also provide soothing benefits that reduce itching, redness and pain.
Laser hair removal relies on emitting light that targets only pigmented hair follicles without harming surrounding skin. This light-based treatment method works best when there is an obvious contrast between hair color and skin tone – for instance, those with dark hair and light skin may be good candidates.
Before visiting any spa or salon for laser hair removal, always be sure to thoroughly investigate their non-doctor practitioners and confirm they possess board certification from dermatology. Avoid spas that allow physician assistants and licensed nurses to conduct treatments as these facilities could compromise your treatment experience.
After laser treatments, it’s normal to see new hair growth emerge within weeks following hormone fluctuations or other forms of hormonal stimulation. To maintain desired results and ensure you reach them as quickly as possible, touch-up sessions may be required from time to time.
After six to eight laser hair removal treatments spaced four to six weeks apart, you should experience significant hair reduction. Even after finishing this schedule of treatments, reduced hair growth continues even after concluding this series of sessions. For more information about how laser hair removal can permanently reduce unwanted hair, we encourage you to reach out and schedule a consultation at our office – we look forward to helping you attain hair-free skin!
