Laser hair removal only targets hairs in their anagen phase; thus requiring multiple treatments spaced out at four to six week intervals for optimal results.
Skin that has been tanned or darkly pigmented cannot be treated using laser technology due to the risk of burns and discoloration from heat from laser treatments. Therefore, sunless tanning products and any other skin lighteners must be avoided to ensure successful laser treatments.
Do not shave or wax
On the day or evening of your laser hair removal appointment, it is imperative to refrain from shaving the area to be treated. Shaving removes surface hairs which could absorb more laser energy and cause burning or discolouration to your skin which makes this process both less effective and painful.
Hair shaving prevents laser treatments from reaching their intended target: pigment located within hair follicles. As such, patients must wait six weeks before shaving again in preparation for treatment with blunt blade razors so as to not cut at the surface of skin and cause bleeding or wounding to the hair itself.
If it is necessary for you to shave, do so sparingly. Consider switching up your razor type by opting for something more gentle on the skin – such as disposable. Also ensure that it is new or nearly new; any older razor may cause cuts and nicks on your skin.
Avoid plucking or waxing the area being treated, as this can disturb the natural cycle of hair follicles and make laser treatments harder to achieve. Waxing pulls the roots out from underneath unwanted hair, leading it to regrow thicker than before – be mindful to note when was last time that you had your wax done (or, for facial hair removal, tweezed). Plan treatments around that time.
Some areas, like the face, can be particularly susceptible to the effects of laser hair removal treatments. When this happens, it may be prudent to skip treatments if hair has grown back thicker after each session and resume as soon as it returns to its regular growth cycle.
Your laser professional should also know about any medications you’re currently taking as some can reduce the effectiveness of laser treatments while others could make your skin more susceptible to burns or blisters.
Do not expose the treated area to the sun
Laser hair removal is an efficient solution for eliminating unwanted facial and body hair. Safe and convenient, laser removal saves both time and money over other methods of hair removal. Laser treatments can be done anywhere on the body including facial areas, underarms and bikini lines – although after treatment it’s important to protect your skin by staying out of direct sunlight or using high SPF sunscreen when going outdoors.
Tanning beds should also be avoided to avoid lasting skin damage. When selecting a physician to perform laser hair removal treatments for you, make sure they are board certified in dermatology or cosmetic surgery; avoid spas and salons that employ nonmedical staff as these may use non-medical staff to conduct treatments instead of medical staff; if considering laser hair removal ask your physician about the process and its impact on your specific skin type.
Before and after laser hair removal treatments, it is also wise to limit how much time you spend in the sun. Exposure to UV rays from sunlight may lead to pigment changes on your skin that are difficult or impossible to treat; additionally it would be prudent not to use products such as tanning lotions, deodorant or any others which darken skin tone before and after laser sessions.
Your initial laser hair removal session may feel similar to rubber band snaps stinging against your skin, and can last from minutes up to hours, depending on the area being treated. After treatment, redness and swelling in the area should subside over time; additionally, we advise applying a cool compress post-laser session.
Before and immediately after receiving laser hair removal treatment, it is also wise to avoid shaving areas, plucking, waxing and any other hair removal methods, which may interfere with hair follicles and diminish its effects. Furthermore, exposure to sunlight for at least a week post treatment could compromise its efficacy – UV rays from sunlight could reduce effectiveness of laser hair removal treatment.
Do not tweeze or pluck
Before laser hair removal, it is vital that no tweezing or plucking occurs as this may compromise its effectiveness. Laser treatments work by targeting hair roots directly; when this pigmented shaft has been extracted by tweezing or plucking, laser light cannot easily access its target roots to eliminate hair growth. Waxing should also be avoided six weeks prior to your scheduled laser appointment for maximum effectiveness of results.
During treatment, skin can become sensitive to heat, leading to itching in the treated area. To avoid inflammation and other complications from scratching, alternative solutions include using ice packs or over-the-counter medication for relieving itching and pain.
Before your appointment, it is also advisable to avoid using products which make the skin more delicate, such as makeup, lotions, creams, deodorant, sunless tanning products and sunscreen. Clean skin is best so your technician can effectively treat you while also clearing away any residual build-up for maximum efficacy of treatment.
Keep your laser hair removal appointments on time to achieve maximum effectiveness and avoid patchy results and reduced effectiveness. In addition, ensure that the provider you select uses medical grade lasers as these provide better penetration into the skin and reach hair follicles more effectively.
Laser hair removal for body hair can offer long-term or near-permanent results, and even when your hair grows back it tends to be thinner and less noticeable. Unfortunately, however, this solution does not come without annual touch up treatments to maintain results.
Understand that laser hair removal is not a quick fix. Results typically take anywhere between one year and twelve sessions to appear; facial areas often need additional sessions than other parts of the body; therefore you should plan to receive 10-12 treatments before seeing desired results. Working with a reliable provider and regularly attending your sessions is the key to reaching desired outcomes.
Do not use hair removal products
If you want to remove unwanted hair, there are many methods available. From waxing, shaving and plucking to depilatory creams – which all take time and patience when trying to access hard-to-reach areas – laser treatment offers permanent solutions.
Before your laser hair removal appointment, it is vital not to use any hair removal products on the area that will be treated. Doing so could inhibit the laser from targeting its source – your pigment. Furthermore, lotion or sunscreen products could make treatment less effective.
Before your appointment, try not to tweeze or pluck any hair as this can damage hair follicles and result in breakage of strands. If unsure, ask for advice from your dermatologist.
Your laser hair removal session could last from a few minutes to an hour depending on the size and area being treated. While discomfort is likely during treatment, most find it bearable; you might experience something similar to rubber bands snapping against their skin or feeling stings from bee stings or the snap of rubber bands against skin; your area might even produce smoke due to hairs burning off under heat of laser beam.
Once your session is over, it’s essential that any exposed areas remain free from heat for 24 hours after. This includes hot showers or gym membership. Tanning beds and natural sunlight should also be avoided in favor of daily application of broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen to the affected area.
After your laser hair removal treatment, it is normal for your skin to become slightly red and swollen; cool compresses can help ease this sensation. Some individuals might experience itching after their procedure as well, although this usually fades over time.
Laser hair removal may be an excellent solution, but it won’t always provide long-term relief. After several months or years, most individuals’ hair will begin growing back due to fluctuating hormone levels or other factors. To maximize results from your laser hair removal treatment, schedule regular touchup appointments with a trained professional.
