Laser hair removal can take time to bear fruit, particularly for darker skin tones. To achieve the most successful outcome possible, it is crucial to follow certain key tips in order to maximize success with laser treatment.
Do not pluck or wax any hairs as this may result in their regrowth. Exfoliate the area several times every week between laser sessions for best results.
1. Apply a moisturizer
After laser hair removal, skin can become extremely delicate. Therefore, applying moisturizer is recommended to soothe it back to health and provide needed hydration. When selecting a moisturizer it’s important that it doesn’t contain fragrance as this could irritate sensitive areas of your body and should also not include extra treatments like glycolic or lactic acids which could hydrate but not heal!
After laser hair removal, it is advisable to refrain from exfoliating for at least several weeks – this will allow dead skin cells to shed naturally, creating smoother skin. You should also try and avoid chlorinated pools, hot showers or baths, heavy workouts or saunas which could potentially irritate the skin in ways which could further exacerbate any potential reactions post laser hair removal.
On the day of your appointment, it is also wise to avoid using any body products such as makeup, lotions or deodorant that could irritate the skin or prevent the laser from targeting hair follicles effectively. Also avoid waxing or plucking methods on the treatment area to minimize risks.
If you experience pain or discomfort after laser hair removal, an ice pack may help soothe inflammation while also decreasing temporary swelling that may arise post-procedure.
At your appointment, it is essential that your skin be completely free from makeup and creams, and any exfoliating treatments (self-tanners/sun exposure/hair chemical services/exfoliating treatments). Also if taking medications such as acne treatments/retinoids it would be wise to wait two weeks prior to using these again (Biotin can still be taken after your laser hair removal session).
2. Exfoliate
Your exfoliation regimen should begin three to four days prior to laser hair removal to gently shed off dead skin cells and make room for new, fresh cells that may need to be introduced during your appointment. Be gentle while exfoliating as any extra irritation could make things worse during laser hair removal itself. A soft wash cloth, puffy shower sponge, gentle loofah or an exfoliating body wash are great tools for exfoliation; scrubs or overly harsh peels could leave your skin too dry.
Once your laser hair removal treatment has been completed, it is vital to maintain it for maximum results. This involves regularly exfoliating treated areas, not overusing Nair or similar depilatory products and avoiding extreme temperatures such as hot showers, baths, steam rooms, saunas or heating pads.
One week post-laser hair removal session, it is common to experience blackhead-like bumps on your skin. This is an indication that hair is beginning to shed from its root; to facilitate its exfoliation use a loofah or another gentle exfoliation tool while applying an ingrown hair-protection lotion for optimal results.
After receiving laser hair removal treatment, it is also essential to refrain from tweezing or waxing the area being treated. Doing so could disturb the growth cycle of hair follicles and hinder their effectiveness against future laser sessions.
After your hair removal appointment, you should begin to notice that your hairs have grown thinner and lighter over time due to laser light destruction of their bulbs. Exfoliation should wait until all hairs have fallen out before repeating itself unless there are ingrown hairs present.
Prior to your laser hair removal appointment, it is wise to avoid medications which increase photosensitivity such as Accutane in the two weeks leading up to it. Furthermore, tanning or spray tans should be avoided, and any products containing alpha hydroxy or beta hydroxy acids (AHA/BHA), including exfoliating scrubs containing AHA or BHA, such as exfoliating scrubs should not be applied until after you’ve had your treatment session.
3. Apply a sunscreen
Laser hair removal uses light and heat energy to eliminate unwanted hair follicles, leaving your skin more susceptible to UV rays of the sun, so wearing sunscreen with an SPF 30 rating or higher and reapplying every two hours after laser treatment is essential in protecting yourself from burning. Remember, UV rays penetrate clouds.
As with any exfoliant product, AHA and BHA acids should always be combined with an appropriate sunscreen that’s tailored for your skin type. Exfoliants like these two acids may make your skin more vulnerable to UV light exposure; when using both products together be sure to apply sparingly at first and increase usage gradually – too often using both acids may lead to skin irritation and lead to redness.
Avoid direct sunlight and tanning for two weeks following laser hair removal to protect the newly exposed skin and reduce any discolorations. A wide-brimmed hat and long sleeves should also be worn if possible to stay covered from direct sunlight, while sweating excessively could leave your skin wet and slippery.
Ideally, when seeking laser treatments it is wise to ensure you are free from medications which could interfere with their results, such as retinoids or topical prescriptions. Furthermore, for three weeks prior to any appointments it would be prudent to avoid waxing, tweezing or chemical epilation as these could all increase sensitivity and redness in the skin. Finally, to get maximum benefit out of laser treatment ensure any contact between intense heat sources like steam rooms or hot showers and your skin as this could trigger redness and sensitivity causing redness or sensitivity that in turn allows it to heal quickly while also increasing redness or sensitivity in sensitive skin areas of concern such as redness in sensitive areas and then use as opposed to steam rooms or hot showers as exposure can trigger redness and sensitivity, which in turn leads to redness and sensitivity resulting in redness and sensitiveness resulting in redness and sensivness when treated properly by laser treatment!
AHAs and BHAs can be effective exfoliators, but can be harsh on certain skin types. If you want to add them into your routine gradually, start off using them only twice weekly before gradually increasing to daily applications depending on the product and following its instructions for usage.
Before receiving laser treatment, it is also wise to refrain from engaging in any forms of exfoliation (scrubbing, loofah use or physical exfoliants) as this could irritate the skin and limit healing. Also try not shaving and plucking as these activities could also irritate it and slow healing processes.
4. Apply a lip balm
Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular solution for women looking to eliminate unwanted upper lip hair. Safe, quick, and long-lasting treatments such as this one offer effective results; however, it should be remembered that lasers only target hair follicles beneath the surface and cannot prevent new hairs from growing back after initial sessions have completed. Thus, continuing regular treatments is vital.
Preparing for laser treatment requires only shaving the area prior to coming into a clinic, in order to disable hair follicles so that laser can effectively target them. Shave immediately prior and again right before beginning any procedures; furthermore it would be wise not to pluck or wax as this will only damage hairs further, making laser more difficult to reach them.
At the same time, it is vitally important to refrain from using lotions and creams containing AHA’s, BHA’s or physical exfoliants like brushes or gloves on areas to be treated, such as AHAs or BHA’s as well as physical exfoliators such as brushes or gloves. Furthermore, medications known to cause photosensitivity must also be avoided, along with hormones like steroids or biotin that stimulate hair growth – such as steroids or biotin used by PCOS sufferers to help manage excessive facial hair growth in terms of treatment options available from doctors or physicians.
Finally, it is best to avoid heat treatments like saunas, hot showers and steam rooms as these will help protect against skin becoming overly irritated or red. Also avoid chlorinated pools as this can further irritate skin irritations.
Wear loose and comfortable clothing during your laser hair removal appointment, particularly during the first few days after treatment, to make sure that fabric does not irritate the treated area. Furthermore, sunscreen will protect it against any sun damage which may occur as time progresses after your session.
