If you are considering laser hair removal on areas exposed to sunlight, it is recommended that you refrain from sunbathing and tanning sessions for 2-3 weeks prior and following your procedure in order to minimize burns, scarring and hyperpigmentation issues. This will help ensure optimal results and help ensure no burns, scarring or hyperpigmentation occurs during or after your procedure.
If you must go outside in the sun, be sure to use sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 50 and wear protective attire like a hat and long sleeves.
Avoid Sunlight for Two Weeks
To minimize hyperpigmentation or scarring from laser hair removal, it’s vital to limit sunlight exposure before your treatment begins. For best results, avoid the sun entirely for at least two weeks prior to going outside – otherwise use sunblock that blocks UVA/UVB rays as well as cover any exposed areas with clothing or sunscreen.
Summer is synonymous with holidays, beaches and baring some skin in bikinis or swimsuits – making it the ideal time for laser hair removal treatments to get them. When tanned after laser hair removal sessions are completed, it may be tempting to go outside without sun protection despite warnings from your technician; but this could result in permanent skin damage.
As well as avoiding tweezing, waxing, chemical epilation and electrolysis in the days prior to your appointment, it is wise to avoid activities that disturb hair follicles such as tweezing, waxing, chemical epilation and electrolysis as these methods can interfere with their natural growth pattern and alter pigmentation of your skin. Also recommended is shaving the treatment area 12-24 hours beforehand to allow laser hair removal technology to effectively target hair follicles without burning your surface layer of skin.
At all times, it is wise to inform your technician of any medications taken, particularly antibiotics that increase photosensitivity. As some can trigger adverse reactions when exposed to laser light, using high SPF sunscreen regularly during this period may be essential.
After laser hair removal, your skin becomes extremely susceptible to sunlight and UV rays from the sun’s UV rays, since laser light energy was sent directly onto your surface in order to target hair follicles. As a result, it becomes very vulnerable to sunburns and damage, particularly if your preexisting tan was dark or deep-tanned before proceeding with treatment.
At least two weeks should elapse between laser hair removal treatments and direct sun exposure or tanning sessions for your skin to heal from their effects, giving the natural fade-off process of your tan to take place as opposed to being forced by chemicals used for spray tanning services.
Wear Sunscreen
Laser hair removal can be a fantastic way to address unwanted hair and reduce shaving and waxing time, but it’s essential that you understand how best to prepare and follow through after the procedure in order to protect your skin and make the experience as painless as possible. Wear sunscreen if you plan on going outdoors like beach combing or playing other outdoor sports because sun exposure can damage skin in an instant!
Apply sunscreen with an SPF 30 rating or higher before beginning laser hair removal treatments on any area you plan to have laser hair removed, to protect yourself from the sun’s damaging rays and prevent an adverse reaction during treatment. When heading outdoors such as to the beach or other activities, ensure you apply and reapply sunscreen at least 15-30 minutes beforehand, then every two hours afterwards.
Before and after laser hair removal, it’s essential that sunlight be avoided as much as possible; however, realistic expectations must be considered; many people must work outdoors, and you may wish to have laser hair removal on an area susceptible to sunlight. If this is indeed the case for you, wear long sleeves and a hat when performing the procedure so as to cover up any exposed parts of your body.
Be mindful that laser hair removal and sun are incompatible. If you have a tan or sunburn, it is wise to wait until those colors fade before scheduling an appointment as laser energy may exacerbate skin tone issues and lead to adverse side effects.
Consider having laser hair removal done on areas not typically exposed to direct sunlight, like your underarms. This way, you can take advantage of this procedure during summer while still using your bikini!
Avoid Tanning
There are many reasons to refrain from tanning prior to laser hair removal, but perhaps the most crucial one is making your skin more vulnerable. Tanning can absorb light more deeply into its layers of the skin and makes it harder for laser beams to reach and destroy heat-sensitive hair follicles – which makes avoiding tanning two weeks prior and using sunscreen with high SPF after your appointment especially crucial.
No one can escape the sun completely due to work or home obligations, but it is still important to limit direct sun exposure as much as possible before beginning cancer treatments. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and loose clothing when going outdoors, and apply SPF 30+ (ideally 50) every two hours when going outside.
As with other methods of hair removal, such as shaving, waxing or plucking, other hair removal techniques should also be avoided as these could irritate hair follicles further. In particular, loofah use should also be limited since this can irritate your skin causing redness and inflammation prior to treatment.
Maintaining healthy skin requires following a daily skin care routine that includes cleansing, toning and moisturizing with non-comedogenic products – such as fragrance-free aloe vera gel or lotion. Be sure to protect yourself with both UVA and UVB rays with broad spectrum sunscreen protection for best results – follow these simple tips and you’ll have smooth and silky summer skin!
Avoid Swimming
Swimming should be avoided for several days after laser hair removal as chlorine and salt water can irritate sensitive skin that has just undergone laser treatment, leading to redness, scuffing, blisters or hyper-pigmentation. If necessary, apply thick layers of sunscreen regularly when swimming; hot tubs and saunas can worsen sunburn symptoms further.
Avoid exfoliating treated areas during this time to promote faster healing and avoid harsh chemical products from loofahs, body scrubs and shower sponges that could damage skin inflicting more harm. Drink plenty of water, consume healthy foods without alcohol and caffeine intake for optimum hydration and healing benefits after laser treatments.
Make sure you avoid activities that increase sweating as this could increase the risk of an infection, such as hot showers, gym workouts, saunas or hot tubs. Cool showers combined with applying noncomedogenic moisturizer can help minimize these activities on your skin.
Before and after laser hair removal, use a gentle cleanser with lukewarm water to wash the area being treated, patting dry afterwards before applying a light, fragrance-free moisturizer with SPF 30 protection. Finally, wear non-comedogenic sun protection that provides UVA/UVB ray protection to maximize results.
Once healed, you’re free to enjoy all that summer has to offer! Just remember to protect your skin with broad-spectrum sunscreen, applying and reapplying it often – this will keep you looking your best while protecting both health and results! If laser hair removal is something that interests you, contact us now so that we can schedule a consultation – we look forward to helping you achieve the beautiful, smooth skin you deserve! We proudly serve Tampa and St. Petersburg area residents. Have a fantastic summer!
