Shedding after laser hair removal is a natural part of achieving flawless, radiant skin. As laser treatments damage hair follicles in their anagen stage, signaling its time for your locks to shed.
Frequent exfoliation of the skin can accelerate its shedding process, using scrubs, sugar or salt products and circular washing motions with warm water.
1. Exfoliate
Shedding after laser hair removal is expected and should occur between seven to thirty days post treatment, often leading to redness or bumps due to your body pushing dead hair to the surface for removal.
Exfoliation is an effective way to accelerate the shedding process, whether using a washcloth, exfoliating glove or loofah sponge or chemical exfoliant (like glycolic acid toner or lotion). Be mindful not to over-exfoliate as overdoing it could irritate skin.
As soon as you notice some loose hairs that are not attached to a hair follicle and still hanging on for dear life, exfoliating should begin immediately in order to gently persuade them that it’s time for them to let go and fall off. Exfoliate in circular motions in order to help avoid ingrown hairs.
After treatment, it is crucial not to shave, tweeze, wax, pick or pull at any remaining hairs as this will damage their follicles and slow future growth. Instead, use a gentle loofah or washcloth with mild exfoliating soap or scrub for exfoliation.
Your stray hairs may not shed right away due to damage done to their hair follicle by laser. This process typically takes weeks and usually leaves small black dots behind – sometimes known as pepper spots.
Your initial session won’t destroy all your hair follicles, but it should reduce growth by 10-25%. Subsequent treatments will only improve results further.
Avoid skipping treatments, as missing one could cause hairs to enter their telogen phase and grow back thicker and darker than before, necessitating more laser sessions in order to be permanently eliminated. It is also essential that patients remain hydrated by drinking lots of water and moisturizing regularly – this will save time, money, and effort over time! To ensure optimal results.
2. Wash the Area
After laser hair removal, your skin may become particularly delicate for approximately 24 hours after treatment. After this point, however, it will begin to heal itself and shed any remaining dead hairs – using cleanser and exfoliation techniques can speed this up so you can achieve smooth skin more quickly!
After your laser treatment, be mindful to choose body washes with gentle ingredients such as fragrance and dye-free cleansers designed for sensitive skin that don’t contain fragrance and dyes; these types of cleansers will leave it feeling smooth and hydrated while unclogging pores for easier shedding of hairs and unplugging them more quickly. Use gentle cleansers containing ingredients like glycerin, ceramides or hyaluronic acid that will loosen hairs easily for easier shedding!
Dependent upon your skin type, showering should resume about 48 hours post-treatment. Hot baths or showers should be avoided as these can cause skin irritation; for a less irritating solution that does not increase shedding rates. Cool to lukewarm water may be more suitable.
Shedding is an indicator that laser hair removal treatments are working, though it may take some time before you notice an actual reduction in hair growth. While in the anagen phase of its cycle, your hair remains growing freely – to maximize effectiveness from laser hair removal treatments, receive regular treatments sessions.
Laser treatments work by targeting and damaging hair follicles in their anagen phase of development, making sure all your follicles will become damaged while any that remain will no longer produce additional hair growth. By attending regular treatment sessions, all your hair follicles can be damaged while any still active will no longer produce further hair growth.
Shedding can be frustrating when trying to achieve smooth, hairless skin. However, shedding is an integral part of laser hair removal and will help you reach your goal sooner. By following these tips on minimizing and prolonging shedding sessions as much as possible.
3. Moisturize
For optimal results after laser hair removal, using a gentle exfoliating scrub several times each week can speed up shedding. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells that trap unwanted hairs and stop them from falling out, while applying pressure to those still attached and encouraging them to let go. However, you should always wait until signs of shedding have appeared before initiating exfoliation treatments.
Picking, tweezing or waxing the hairs that are shedding can actually slow down their natural shedding process and cause more discomfort than simply leaving them be. Allowing the shedding process to occur naturally as much as possible would be best.
Moisturizing after laser hair removal is also important, particularly if you have sensitive skin, as this will protect it from drying out and becoming irritated. Be sure to select a fragrance-free, all-natural moisturizer that won’t clog your pores; and consider selecting one containing hydrating ingredients such as aloe vera gel, glycerin, ceramides or hyaluronic acid for maximum effect.
After laser hair removal, to protect your skin even further you should also apply an SPF lotion designed specifically for your skin type and use sunscreen on any exposed areas that could result in dark spots or damage from UV radiation. This will prevent further sun exposure damage that could potentially result in dark spots forming over time.
Laser hair removal takes several treatments before you experience results, with the exact number dependent upon both your hair’s individual growth cycle and skin conditions. Shedding post laser treatments indicates success of treatments; waxing or shaving are better methods of removal as these can disrupt growth cycles of individual strands of hair.
Those looking to undergo laser hair removal treatment at LH Spa & Rejuvenation who have any queries should reach out. Our staff will be more than happy to provide answers, and ensure you’re fully prepared for your appointment. It is advised to shower prior to each laser hair removal treatment appointment, washing away makeup or lotions so your skin is fresh and clean for treatment.
4. Massage
After laser hair removal, the targeted follicles will enter a resting phase known as telogen, where hairs appear to grow but eventually fall out on their own. Shedding after laser hair removal is an entirely normal process that will eventually leave you with silky skin; however it takes time and patience for results from treatment to be seen; however there are ways you can expedite the shedding process and achieve your goal of hairlessness sooner rather than later.
Begin your effort at hastening hair shedding by gently exfoliating the area, which will remove dead skin cells that may be clogging pores or holding onto hair follicles, stimulating them and encouraging growth again. If you have been using an aggressive chemical-based exfoliation scrub, be sure to switch over to natural products instead.
Massage can also help speed up the shedding process. Not only will it promote blood circulation and stimulate follicles, but the gentle pressure applied during a massage will cause hairs to shed more easily than otherwise would. This happens because massage exerts subtle pressure that encourages hairs to fall out more readily than would otherwise occur.
Avoid tweezing, waxing, plucking and threading hairs for best results as these techniques may rip out targeted follicles and cause skin irritation. In fact, leaving dark, thick hairs alone until they shed naturally is best as this will allow them to thin and lighten gradually before becoming easier to remove later on.
While performing laser hair removal, other spa treatments on the skin such as facials or moisturizing wraps are safe and may add value to the experience; we often perform facials during laser hair removal sessions because it helps clients relax more deeply into our services and is an effective way to ensure client happiness and relaxation.
