Laser treatments target pigment-rich hair follicles responsible for unwelcome hair growth, and must be in the active growth phase in order for this treatment to successfully destroy them.
Bleaching hair interferes with this process, preventing the hair follicles from producing the pigment that laser treatments aim to destroy. Therefore, it’s wise to discontinue bleaching at least a month prior to your session.
Do not shave
Men and women often spend long hours shaving, waxing, and plucking out unwanted hair from their body. Unfortunately, this time-consuming activity takes away from daily activities and becomes costly over time. But you may be able to reduce or even eliminate this need with laser treatment for unwanted hair removal – the procedure uses laser technology to target pigment in your hair’s pigment cells while simultaneously targeting stem cells responsible for hair production, which then stops growth. But before getting this treatment it is important to follow certain key guidelines.
Avoid shaving on the day of your appointment as this will damage and sensitize the skin, and try not to use soap, lotions or deodorants on this area for several days prior to it. Also exfoliate this area to rid any build-up of dirt or debris on its surface.
Prevent Waxing or Plucking Prior to Appointments If possible, avoid waxing or plucking hair prior to an appointment, since laser therapy targets hair follicles and plucking/waxing may disrupt this targeting capability. Furthermore, waxing removes roots so your laser won’t be able to effectively target them either!
Only exception to this rule would be if there is a small patch of stubble on the area where you would like laser treatment; in such a situation it can still be treated, although not as effectively; furthermore it may cause temporary grazes which will heal in several days and should not cause concern.
Do not wax
Laser hair removal offers an effective long-term solution to shaving, tweezing and hiding growing hair by permanently reducing its growth. Approved by the FDA, this procedure involves multiple sessions attended consistently over time for best results. However, any products containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid could increase skin photosensitivity and increase your risk of burning during treatment – these ingredients should be avoided to ensure optimal outcomes from laser therapy treatments.
Before beginning laser treatments, ensure the hair in the targeted area measures at least 5mm (0.1inch). This will enable the laser to target its intended target: hair follicle. Waxing or plucking should also be avoided prior to your appointment as these techniques remove root hairs from being targeted by laser treatment, leaving pigmented follicles untargeted by this laser technology.
Furthermore, any skincare products containing exfoliating acids or moisturizers should not be applied directly to the target area before beginning a laser treatment as these chemicals can irritate and lead to skin irritation. Sunbathing or using self-tanners in advance of laser treatment could increase risk for laser burn and hinder its efficacy – so avoid doing either!
Before beginning laser treatment, it is advisable to wait six weeks after waxing to allow the laser to properly identify hair follicles. Shaving should also be avoided during this time as this removes roots of hairs which inhibit laser treatments from doing their work effectively. When shaving however, always use a new blade as this will decrease chances of contact dermatitis caused by bacteria.
Do not pluck
Preparing for laser hair removal requires not plucking or waxing the area that will be treated, as these practices pull hairs from their roots and may reduce its effectiveness. They may also increase your chance of experiencing an uncomfortable burning reaction as the laser works by heating up pigment within hair follicles to destroy them.
Plucking or waxing removes hair before it has reached the skin’s surface, meaning the laser cannot target its pigment at its source. Therefore, it is advised to stop these activities at least six weeks before your laser session and shave any areas being treated; doing this reduces risk and enhances results.
Anagen stage refers to the initial stage in a hair’s growth cycle. At this point, active hair growth occurs. Lasers can target this phase of growth; however, results often take several days before reaching the surface and becoming visible – often creating redness or bumps that mimic new growth.
The next phase, known as catagen stage, occurs when hair leaves its follicle and begins its journey out of your skin follicles. This takes two days and cannot be targeted with laser. Once this stage has ended, hair enters telogen phase when growth ceases before eventually falling off from your body; although this may appear as continued growth to you it is perfectly natural and won’t harm the skin in any way.
Do not tweeze
Prior to beginning laser hair removal sessions, it is essential that tweezing and waxing are not permitted as these two techniques rely on pulling out hair roots, rendering them incompatible with laser treatment. As heat travels from hair shaft to root of follicle through laser radiation, taking these methods away would render any potential benefits useless.
Keep in mind that laser hair removal takes time for effective results to show. Your skin may take several weeks to heal after each session and may need touch-up treatments in the future, but eventually you should see less hair in that area after each treatment session.
Consideration should also be given when applying lotions, creams, deodorants or makeup directly onto areas being treated; such products can inhibit laser targeting of hair follicles and result in redness or irritation to skin. In order to minimize risks before each laser session begins it would also be wise to apply an SPF 30+ sunblock before starting treatment.
Finally, it is crucial that you attend every session in your treatment plan. Hair follicles often undergo various stages of growth at various points during a session; attending all allows the laser a chance to target each one effectively. You may experience stubble due to dead hairs still actively growing at the time of treatment; typically this appears 5-30 days post treatment date and is normal; you can speed up this process by exfoliating regularly or exfoliating skin thoroughly.
Do not tan
When considering laser hair removal this summer, it is essential to follow specific instructions and avoid certain activities. For instance, it is imperative to refrain from sun exposure and tanning beds two weeks prior to each treatment session in order to reduce tanning and help restore normal coloring of the follicles.
Darker skintones will render laser light ineffective and may result in unwanted side effects like redness, swelling or burns. Furthermore, using self-tanners or sunless sprays could alter the way that laser light reacts with sunlight – leading to discoloration that changes its natural tone of your skin tone and potentially even cause disfigurement.
Avoid other methods of hair removal in the area, including plucking and waxing, as these actions may interfere with laser light and spur regrowth of hair. Furthermore, avoid subjecting treated areas to hot water sources like showers or bathtubs and use deodorant on them if applicable.
Before going through with laser treatment, it is wise to consult your physician first. They can advise whether it is safe for you while taking any prescribed medications – some like Accutane can increase sensitivity to UV radiation from lasers; your doctor may even suggest bleaching cream to make your skin lighter – this is necessary since lasers work by targeting pigments within your skin that absorb less light compared with lighter skin tones.
