Retinoids can do wonders for your skin, yet they also make it more sensitive to sunlight and other external influences, including hair removal heat or laser treatments.
To prevent potential issues with laser hair removal, it’s wise to wait an appropriate period before getting laser treatment. At Body Details, our team can develop a personalized plan tailored specifically to your retinol usage.
1. Stop using tretinoin at least 2 weeks before your appointment
Laser hair removal can be an incredible way to effectively rid yourself of unsightly body hair. After just a few treatments, laser will become your go-to method for eliminating unsightly stubble. But before scheduling an appointment there are several steps you should take beforehand in order to be fully prepared. Before beginning any procedure, ensure you’re entirely comfortable. Although results may take multiple sessions to show, they’re well worth your while! To maximize results and minimize side effects, avoid skincare products which promote exfoliation in the area where you will receive treatments. Facial cleansers, serums and topical creams that contain petroleum may prevent laser light from targeting hair follicles effectively. Furthermore, waxing or plucking an area before your appointment will stop it from growing back thicker post-procedure.
If you use topical products containing retinol, it’s advisable to discontinue their use at least two weeks before scheduling your laser hair removal appointment. Retinol can cause skin sensitivity, making you more susceptible to experiencing irritation or burns during treatment and potentially diminishing results.
As part of your laser hair removal session, it’s also essential that you discontinue other hair removal methods, including tweezing and waxing. Such practices can disrupt hair follicles and prevent you from receiving optimal results from laser. In addition, bleaching creams that darken skin may prevent laser from targeting hair follicles effectively and avoid taking blood-thinning medicines like aspirin in advance of an appointment.
Additionally, it’s essential that any medications or supplements you are currently taking with any healthcare professional providing laser hair removal treatment. This will allow them to ensure the procedure will be safe and effective as well as provide them with an opportunity to suggest alternative solutions if a medication could interfere with treatment.
2. Stop using tretinoin at least 1 week before your appointment
Before your laser hair removal appointment, it is wise to reduce or discontinue taking tretinoin at least one week in advance in order to decrease irritation during your session. In addition, any other retinoids or vitamin C serums that might cause redness or irritation during the appointment should also be avoided.
Before your treatment, it is also vital to allow your skin time to adjust and reduce its risk of burning, blistering and pigmentation changes. By giving yourself this buffer period before making decisions about tanning beds or sun exposure as well as hair chemical services it will give the treated area time to adapt and will decrease chances of burning, blistering and pigmentation changes occurring after receiving treatments.
Before your laser hair removal appointment, be sure to thoroughly clean the area you intend to have treated in advance. Washing helps eliminate dirt and sweat that may hinder results; makeup, deodorant and skincare products should also be completely removed prior to treatment, since these can obstruct laser’s ability to reach hair follicles for destruction.
Once you have stopped taking tretinoin and other retinoids, it is vital to follow your dermatologist’s instructions for prepping your skin for laser treatments. If you have any inquiries or require clarification from them regarding preparation for laser procedures, feel free to reach out for assistance or further details.
Once your series of laser hair removal treatments is completed, it should be permanent! However, in certain instances (e.g. during times of hormonal fluctuations), new hair growth may still appear in areas that were treated. Should this occur, we advise setting up regular touch-up appointments at LH Spa & Rejuvenation for maintenance sessions.
At these appointments, a licensed professional will use a gentle pulse of laser light to destroy any remaining hair follicles and promote the growth of new, healthy cells. Most men and women find a series of six to eight sessions necessary for maximum results; face areas may require additional treatments than others. Expect mild discomfort during your appointment; many clients describe the feeling as similar to having rubber bands flicked against their skin.
3. Stop using tretinoin at least 2 days before your appointment
Retinol is an extremely potent vitamin A derivative that is widely used to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, smooth skin texture, fade discolorations and rebuild sun-damaged skin from tanning sessions as well as reduce or eliminate liver spots, brown or gray growths and precancerous lesions. However, laser hair removal should be undertaken cautiously when combined with Retinol products as this could increase their potential risks significantly.
Tretinoin stimulates skin cell turnover, leading to new sensitive skin emerging on its surface and making the area appear red or irritated; not ideal for laser treatment. Furthermore, it may increase hair follicle sensitivity leading to burns or hyper-pigmentation if taken within 2 days before an appointment. Therefore, it’s wise to stop taking tretinoin at least 2 days before scheduling any laser procedure.
If you are uncertain whether using tretinoin before laser hair removal is safe, it is a good idea to speak to a dermatologist or aesthetician and discuss all available treatments that might less likely irritate the skin. They will advise what may and may not work.
Some experts advise continuing tretinoin pretreatment for three months prior to an ablative laser procedure like Fraxel but discontinuing 24 hours before your scheduled procedure. Other experts, however, advise skipping this step altogether and going directly for laser therapy treatment.
At least two weeks prior to your laser appointment, it is also recommended to avoid products or OTC creams that promote exfoliation on the areas being treated, including glycolic acid, lactic acid, and benzoyl peroxide. Furthermore, don’t forget to shave this area first!
Finally, it’s also crucial that any intense facial treatments, like chemical peels and microdermabrasion, such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion are put off for at least two weeks prior to your appointment. Also try and forgo hair-styling services during that period.
Before attending your laser appointment, it is also advisable to avoid medications which could alter how your body absorbs or responds to light, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and blood thinners for at least two weeks prior.
4. Stop using tretinoin at least 24 hours before your appointment
Retinol, a potency vitamin A derivative, can help reduce wrinkles, improve skin texture and decrease pores while helping prevent future ones from appearing. However, it’s essential to know when and how long to discontinue use before getting laser hair removal because the usage may affect its outcome.
While not required, it is a wise idea to inform your laser professional of any medications you’re currently taking, including antibiotics and blood-thinning pills that could interfere with laser treatments and cause excess bruising. Furthermore, caffeine consumption for at least 24 hours prior to an appointment could increase light sensitivity significantly.
Before your laser therapy treatment begins, it is also wise to forego waxing or shaving in the area that will be treated. Plucking and shaving the area may lead to irritation that interferes with its effectiveness. Furthermore, for best results it would be wise to stay out of direct sunlight for at least two weeks prior to making an appointment as prolonged exposure can cause pigmentation of skin cells and cause pigmentation problems.
Not only should you avoid medications and products listed above, it’s also vital that your skin be prepared for laser treatments by exfoliating regularly. On the day of your appointment it would also be wise to avoid wearing anything scented such as lotions, deodorant or makeup as these can make it more sensitive to laser energy.
If you are considering laser hair removal, it is wise to find a qualified technician with state licensing and certification. Consultations meetings with potential technicians should also take place so you can discuss any skin type-specific concerns or queries you have with them directly.
Men and women will typically need six to eight laser hair removal treatments spaced four to eight weeks apart to achieve optimal results. New hair growth may still appear from time to time during periods of hormonal fluctuations; should any new growth appear in your treatment area, LH Spa & Rejuvenation offers touch-up treatments as an added measure for peace of mind.
