Men and women will typically need multiple laser hair removal sessions in order to see the desired results, giving their skin time to recover between sessions.
Laser hair removal should be avoided during direct sun exposure to prevent discoloration. You should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ protection on any treated areas to minimize this risk.
Moisturize
Laser hair removal might seem like it requires minimal preparation, but there are still a few key things you can do to ensure a successful experience. In this blog post, we’ll go over how to moisturize before laser hair removal at home, along with some additional helpful hints that’ll ensure your treatment runs more smoothly!
Moisturizers are an integral component of skin care routines, but when it comes to laser hair removal at home it’s essential that lotion be avoided before treatment begins. Applying too much lotion before beginning can interfere with how well the laser penetrates into your skin and destroys hair follicles; to avoid this issue only use light non-greasy moisturizers several days before your appointment.
Laser hair removal sessions tend to leave your skin extra sensitive, and any additional skin products could irritate it further. You should therefore refrain from applying makeup, body washes, perfume and deodorants around the area you are having treated as this could further irritate it and increase irritation levels after each laser hair removal session.
Prior to your laser hair removal appointment, shaving will allow the laser to target hair follicles more directly without having to go around any newly growing hairs. Be careful not to shave too close as this could result in burns or other forms of damage – shaving a few days ahead allows the laser to easily locate and kill these follicles without working around existing or emerging follicles that already contain hair growth.
Shedding of hair after laser hair removal is a normal side effect, and exfoliation may help speed the process and keep skin smoother for longer. Use only gentle scrubs as overly harsh exfoliants may irritate and promote more shedding than necessary.
Be sure to inform your aesthetician of any medications you’re currently taking prior to receiving laser hair removal treatment, as certain drugs could interfere with its effects or make you more sensitive to it. Therefore, always inform them if there are any new or ongoing prescriptions you are currently taking that could impact the effectiveness of laser hair removal treatment or make you more susceptible.
Exfoliate
For optimal laser hair removal sessions, exfoliation should play an integral part. Doing this will both prepare your skin for treatment as well as speed up the removal of dead hairs post-treatment, keeping skin smooth.
Exfoliate in the shower using a gentle scrub or body wash with sponge, loofah or soft washcloth and exfoliant in circular motions until all dead hair cells have been cleared away and can interfere with laser treatments. Do this several times each week to get maximum effectiveness out of laser hair removal sessions.
Though you may use lotion, products containing tanning ingredients or tanning agents should be avoided the day prior to laser hair removal appointments as these substances may act as an obstacle in between your skin and laser light, which could compromise results. If in doubt about what products should be avoided, speak to your technician during the appointment and they will provide a list of prohibited items.
After your laser hair removal treatment, it’s safe to moisturize. Just be sure that any water-based lotion contains no tanners or tanning ingredients; or apply aloe vera gel cooling compresses to soothe any redness or sensitivity caused by the treatment.
Plumping or waxing the treated area should also be avoided to maximize the efficacy of laser hair removal treatment on hair follicles. Instead, save this form of hair removal for when your skin matures so you can still reap its rewards.
After laser hair removal treatment, it’s recommended that you avoid hot showers, tubs and heat sources for at least 48 hours afterward to allow your skin time to recover and become less vulnerable to sunburn and other forms of damage. If necessary, take cool or lukewarm showers instead.
Sunscreen
As previously discussed, maintaining skin health before and after laser hair removal is of utmost importance. To do this effectively, sunscreen application should become part of your daily routine; applying it directly on areas being treated will help avoid sun damage to these sensitive spots. It’s wise to apply SPF even on cloudy days because UVA/UVB rays penetrate clouds.
Sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 broad spectrum SPF rating should be worn on any part of the body being treated by laser hair removal, including but especially face and legs. Be sure to reapply sunscreen every two hours when outdoors or exercising; especially when engaging in physical activities that increase sun exposure such as hiking.
If you have sunburn, it is advisable to wait until after it has healed before scheduling your next laser hair removal session. Sunburn may interfere with the effectiveness of laser treatment as well as cause increased sensitivity after it. Furthermore, sunburn increases your chance of scarring as a result.
Before and after laser hair removal sessions, it’s also advisable to refrain from tanning as this increases melanin levels on the skin, making it harder for laser light to target only hair follicles without also hitting surrounding tissue.
Additionally, many laser specialists will not treat patients who have recently tanned or sunburned themselves. If you do decide to tan before or after laser hair removal treatment, it’s advised that you use high-SPF sunscreen and refrain from applying any sunless tanning solutions or bronzing lotions in the area being treated.
As always, some rules should never be broken, but this one certainly can! Don’t tan for two weeks prior to having laser hair removal performed and make sure that when going outside use a broad spectrum SPF sunscreen containing UVA/UVB protection as this will protect both you and the treatment from sun damage and increase its efficacy – by taking this advice, you will enjoy smooth, soft and beautiful skin for many years ahead!
Avoid Shaving
Shaving right before laser hair removal sessions can actually undermine their effectiveness. Laser hair removal works by applying heat directly into hair follicles, which damages stem cells and prevents hair growth therein; however, if you shave immediately before, too little damage may have occurred and hair may continue to grow unimpeded, leaving behind singed or burned patches of skin. It is best to refrain from shaving this area at least 24 hours prior to attending an appointment for optimal results.
Keep in mind that laser hair removal requires multiple sessions for it to work effectively, with each session timed around your body’s natural growth cycles – any interruption such as plucking or waxing between sessions may disrupt these cycles and limit results.
While undertaking laser hair removal at home, it is also crucial to limit sun exposure as too much UV ray exposure may cause your skin to darken and be less receptive to laser light energy; furthermore, prolonged sun exposure can irritate and inflame areas where laser energy has been applied and itchy and uncomfortable areas could occur.
If you need to be out in the sun for extended periods, ensure you wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 rating and apply additional layers as often as necessary – particularly if sweat or perspiration becomes an issue.
One final consideration when it comes to laser hair removal sessions is not using lotions or moisturisers on the area being treated on treatment day, as these could act as barriers between your skin and laser light, decreasing its efficacy.
So, to summarize, before getting laser hair removal treatment it is best to wash the area where laser hair removal will take place with mild soap and warm water, then dry it thoroughly afterwards. Furthermore, any beauty products like makeup, deodorant or perfume should not be applied directly onto the skin, including perfume and deodorant.
