Laser hair removal works by targeting melanin in your hair follicles, and absorbing its heat with laser beams to break it down and destroy it. After treatment, when new growth returns it usually thicker and lighter than before.
To ensure the procedure is effective, it is vital that aftercare guidelines be abided by. Shaving too soon before or too far after your appointment will not allow the laser to target hair roots effectively.
Exfoliate
Laser hair removal sessions involve exfoliating dead skin cells clogging your hair follicles to speed up hair shedding and speed healing between treatments. To accelerate this process, exfoliate daily with loofahs, washcloths or gentle scrubs; but wait 24 hours after receiving laser treatment before exfoliating again as this may irritate the skin.
Laser hair removal uses light waves to target and destroy the follicles that produce unwanted hair, rather than shaving or waxing them away. Attracted to anagen phase hair growth cycle, laser light waves cause anagen phase hair follicles to die off causing non-hair producing areas. That is why you shouldn’t shave, tweeze, pluck or wax the area prior to appointment as this may hinder results and risk damaging or cutting into treated area(s).
If you must shave, it is wise to do it just a few hours prior to an important appointment and use a razor with the lowest setting – this will ensure that hairs remain as short as possible and minimise irritation risk.
Be careful to avoid rubbing the area immediately following a laser session as this can irritate the skin and lead to redness, itching or bumps that will go away within several days if left alone; alternatively apply cooling aloe vera gel or lotion to soothe it as soon as possible.
Make sure to stay out of direct sunlight, as too much can irritate and worsen skin issues like itching and bumps. When outdoors, wear sunscreen with at least 30 SPF protection and reapply it as directed if needed; take cool showers frequently to protect the skin from burning or blistering.
Avoid Sunlight
Laser hair removal makes your skin even more delicate and should be limited for at least a week after treatment, to minimize burns and other adverse reactions. If necessary, wear sunscreen with an SPF rating greater than 15 when out in the sun and apply it regularly.
After laser hair removal, it is best to limit exposure to high heat in terms of showers, tubs, saunas and heating pads as this could cause your skin to burn. Instead, take cool showers instead – and refrain from applying lotions which could clog pores and delay hair follicle shedding processes.
When venturing outdoors, make sure to wear plenty of sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 30. Reapply this protection every two hours and after swimming, towelling and perspiring – it must also offer adequate UVA and UVB ray protection.
Plumping, waxing or shaving the treated area during this phase will disrupt its follicle and delay it entering its anagen phase. You can hasten this shedding process by gently exfoliating twice weekly after laser treatment to remove dead skin cells while pushing out those hairs which have not entered anagen phase yet.
As another reason, sunlight should be avoided: its UV rays can lead to dark pigmentation on your skin that could compromise the results of laser hair removal treatments.
While you wait for your hairs to enter their anagen phase, any stray hairs that do appear can be safely trimmed off by shaving or trimming them with scissors. Any attempts at shaving or plucking pre-anagen hairs could irritate the skin and prevent laser therapy from targeting them effectively.
Take Care of Your Skin
After laser hair removal, some people may experience a burning sensation and redness that will quickly subside. The best way to ease discomfort is applying cooling aloe vera gel or lotion directly to the skin, and using cold compresses instead. Furthermore, taking a shower with lukewarm water may reduce both pain and swelling as will taking Tylenol or similar anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate pain and redness.
Within 24 hours after laser hair treatment, it is recommended that no topical beauty products be applied directly to the treated area. This will avoid ingredients in these products from reacting with laser-fried hairs and creating more irritation. After 24 hours have passed, exfoliation can resume regularly to maintain healthy skin.
Laser-fried hair will shed naturally over time; don’t attempt to speed this process up by scrubbing or pulling at them with your fingers – doing so may irritate the area and pull out healthy strands not affected by laser. Plus, damaging hair follicles could increase irritation.
Another tip for proper laser skin recovery is to avoid harsh soaps or body washes on treated areas, as they can irritate the skin and interfere with healing post laser treatment. Furthermore, shaving or plucking the area can disrupt healing of pores and result in ingrown hairs forming, so be careful if shaving or plucking occurs after laser treatments have taken place.
To maximize results from laser hair removal, it is important to schedule regular sessions. The frequency will depend on your skin type and how quickly your hair grows back between treatments; typically four or six sessions is sufficient. In order to select an effective provider for laser hair removal, make sure they have been accredited with professional bodies certifying them as meeting set standards of training, skill, and insurance coverage.
Stay Hydrated
After having laser treatment, damaged hairs should start shedding naturally a few days post treatment, which is an indicator that it was successful. It is best to refrain from picking or tweezing these hairs as doing so may cause skin irritation as well as damage the healthy ones not affected by laser.
After laser treatments, exfoliation may also help hasten the process. Exfoliating will rid your pores of dead cells clogging them up and deter hairs from falling out more rapidly; furthermore, exfoliating will put pressure on any stubborn hairs which might still be hanging onto follicles by providing gentle encouragement for them to go.
Be wary of shaving the area prior to receiving laser treatment as this may diminish its efficacy. Shaving can remove longer hairs but doesn’t take care of the root, something the laser does effectively. If necessary, shave on the day or as directed by your practitioner.
Once your laser hair removal treatments are complete, your remaining hairs should have entered into a resting or telogen phase and won’t continue growing any further. To maintain effective treatment results it’s essential that you adhere to your plan and don’t miss appointments as this could prompt them back into active growth stage again.
Laser hair removal at Metro Dermatology in Elmhurst provides an efficient and painless solution to unwanted hair. Safe for use on all skin types and tones, laser treatment has proven its worth over time as an alternative to shaving or waxing – after just six treatments you could enjoy smooth and hair-free skin for years! So if you’re ready to say goodbye forever to unsightly stubble, give laser treatment at Metro Dermatology Elmhurst a try – after just several sessions you could enjoy smooth skin!
