Laser hair removal offers an effective alternative to shaving and waxing. The laser light attracts pigment in hair follicles, so it destroys them without harming nearby tissues.
Before receiving laser treatments, it is advisable to avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds as this can result in hyperpigmentation or burns. Furthermore, you should apply a topical numbing cream prior to your appointment for added peace of mind.
1. Stop shaving
Prior to your laser appointment, it’s advisable to stop shaving the area being treated as this will prevent skin burn during treatment with the laser.
As part of your treatment it is also essential to refrain from plucking, waxing or epilating the area being treated, as this may cause dead hairs to come back out and can irritate your skin. Also avoid using products which increase skin sensitivity such as Retinol.
At least 24 hours prior to undergoing laser hair removal treatments, it’s also vital that you shave the area being treated in order to properly target pigment in hair follicles with laser light. We advise using razor blades that have not been exposed to water, soap or lotion since this reduces infection and irritation risks and risks of infection and irritation. It may be possible that loose hairs start falling out after each treatment session – this is completely normal and indicates its success!
2. Stop plucking
Plucking hair before laser removal should be avoided to protect follicles. Instead, you can use tweezers to take care of any new growth between appointments.
Your goal should be to increase effectiveness of treatment while decreasing the likelihood of new hair growing back into treated areas. Furthermore, waxing or tweezing should be avoided as these interfere with natural hair growth cycles.
On the day of your appointment, be sure to use a topical numbing cream from a pharmacy on any areas being treated. Also make sure that your skin is free from makeup, lotions or deodorant; arriving clean-skinned is ideal.
3. Stop waxing
Laser hair removal devices emit light that targets pigmented hair follicles and damages them enough to stop future growth – unlike waxing which uproots them and forces new darker ones back out into growth.
Perez-Nakamura advises keeping skin from being bleached or tanned in order for laser treatments to work as intended, since light from a laser device will seek out melanin in your follicle and target it; naturally or artificially tanned skin makes it more challenging for it to recognize where its targets should lie.
On the day of your treatment, make sure you arrive with freshly shaved skin and free from creams, lotions or makeup on any areas being treated to help avoid irritation during the procedure which could otherwise lead to redness and blistering.
4. Stop using hair removal creams
Laser hair removal treatments rely on light beams that focus on specific follicles and roots of individual hair follicles, to target them effectively. In order to do this effectively, all surface products such as lotions or deodorants which could obstruct treatment must be freed of lotions prior to beginning any laser hair removal treatment sessions.
On the day of your appointment, be sure to use a brand-new razor blade when shaving the area you intend to have laser hair removal on in order to avoid contact dermatitis and ensure as clean an environment as possible for laser hair removal. In addition, gently exfoliating is also recommended.
Make sure to avoid tanning sessions – whether natural sunlight or tanning beds – as this exposes your skin more severely to UV rays, potentially leading to hyperpigmentation in severe cases.
5. Stop taking blood thinners
Certain drugs, including blood thinners and retinol, may increase your risk of skin damage when being treated for laser hair removal. If you are taking such medicines prior to receiving laser hair removal treatment, stop taking them prior to scheduling your session.
Stay away from body lotions and oils in the days following a laser session as these can clog pores and lead to folliculitis. Also avoid taking hot baths or showers that could scorch and blister treated areas.
Before and after laser hair removal at home, sun exposure must be limited in order to lower the risk of skin whitening that often comes with laser treatments. Laser treatment makes skin extra vulnerable to sunlight exposure; so use of a cool compress after each session can soothe pain and minimize irritation as well as help the body absorb any medication applied post treatment.
6. Stop taking aspirin
If you take aspirin regularly, seven days should pass before having laser hair removal treatments. Aspirin acts as a blood thinner and may increase your risk for bleeding and bruising after the treatment has taken place.
Avoid tanning in the weeks prior to receiving laser treatments as these don’t perform well on tanned skin. Furthermore, try not to exfoliate as vigorously with harsh peels or scrubs – such products won’t do your skin any favors!
The actual procedure is generally quick and painless, depending on the size of the area being treated, it could take just minutes. You might experience something similar to a rubber band snapping against your skin or experiencing sunburn sensations before the practitioner moves the laser over that spot until all unwanted hairs have been eliminated – this treatment can be performed anywhere on your body!
7. Stop taking ibuprofen
Before your appointment, it is advised to only take Tylenol or another acetaminophen-based pain reliever as any other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen) could thin your blood and increase risk of bruising due to heat from laser hair removal treatments causing microscopic amounts of bleeding and bruising in hair follicles and surrounding tissue due to laser heat exposure.
Your technician might use numbing cream before your session to reduce pain and discomfort, while products containing lidocaine may provide similar relief at home.
Opting out of laser treatment before and during your period is best, since your pain receptors become more active at this time. If an appointment must take place during that period, make sure to hydrate adequately the night before and bring extra protection in the form of sunscreen (SPF 30+) with you – more protection means more efficient results!
8. Stop taking vitamin A
Many medications and supplements may increase your risk of side effects during laser hair removal, making the treatment less effective or causing complications that include changes to skin color or texture. It is best to discontinue their use two weeks prior to your laser hair removal appointment.
Before going ahead with laser hair removal, it’s advisable to forgoing garlic and gingko biloba supplements. Although both herbs have numerous therapeutic advantages, their presence increases your likelihood of bleeding and bruises during the procedure.
Before your laser hair removal treatment, it is also wise to refrain from using products which increase photosensitivity such as sunless tanning products, hydrocortisone cream or acne medications containing salicylic acid or retinoids (especially Accutane). Such ingredients could cause the laser beams to burn your skin instead of targeting hair follicles as planned – you will receive specific instructions from your physician regarding what can and cannot be used beforehand.
9. Stop taking vitamin E
Laser hair removal may not be a permanent solution, but it can significantly decrease new hair growth for years after completing treatment sessions. Furthermore, when new growth returns it will have finer textures than it did prior to starting laser treatments sessions.
Prior to laser hair removal, it is advisable to avoid certain medications and dietary supplements that could potentially exacerbate any complications or compromise its efficacy, such as Ginkgo Biloba, Garlic and Vitamin E.
If you are taking antibiotics like Accutane, they will typically clear from your system within six months and you can resume laser hair removal sessions. To safeguard against sun damage during these sessions and help avoid unwanted side effects, it’s also wise to wear high SPF sunscreen between sessions as this can protect the skin and help avoid sunburns that could arise as a result.
10. Stop taking retinol
Understand that certain common skincare products may increase photosensitivity of your skin, particularly retinoids which may make the surface even more sensitive to light. Therefore, it’s advisable to stop taking retinoids at least 2-3 days prior to your laser hair removal appointment.
Retinoids can help your skin exfoliate effectively and increase cell turnover, but their use should be ongoing to avoid peeling. Retinoids should also be applied regularly rather than intermittently for best results.
Vitamin C should generally be safe to continue taking, though you should let your provider know if you plan on having laser treatments soon. Body Details’ team can work with you to develop a treatment schedule that accounts for your retinol usage while making sure that your skin is ready and healthy for treatment; alternatively they may opt to lower energy settings if your skin becomes irritated during treatments.
