Ibuprofen is a blood thinner and may increase your risk of excessive bleeding and bruising during laser hair removal, so it is wise to forego taking it in the days prior to receiving your treatment.
Instead, we recommend taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) for pain relief prior and post laser hair removal appointments.
What is ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is an extremely effective painkiller and fever reducer, as well as helping fight infection. It’s widely available over-the-counter as tablets, capsules and granules under brand names such as Advil, Motrin and Nuprin; it can even be combined with Tylenol (acetaminophen) to create popular combination painkillers.
Ibuprofen works by blocking enzymes responsible for producing inflammation. As such, it has proven invaluable in treating various conditions, such as arthritis, gout, menstrual cramps and toothache. Take it alone or combine with other medications to get optimal results in each specific circumstance.
Large doses of Ibuprofen may result in serious adverse side effects. Therefore, it is crucial that it is taken as prescribed by your physician or pharmacist and read and carefully follow any labels provided to ensure you fully comprehend any instructions given to you. It is advisable to take this medicine with food or milk in order to minimize stomach upset.
Higher strengths of ibuprofen require a valid prescription from a physician and can usually only be purchased from hospital pharmacies. Over-the-counter (OTC) versions come in tablet, capsule and granule form; strength levels range from 200 mg to 800 mg; take only the amount recommended by your healthcare provider or pharmacist each day.
If you are taking other medications, be sure to contact your physician or pharmacist before starting to take ibuprofen. Ibuprofen can interact with certain drugs like warfarin (Coumadin) and aspirin, potentially increasing risk of bleeding or decreasing effectiveness; additionally it could alter how some medicines are processed by your body.
Alcohol should be avoided while taking ibuprofen, as it can irritate your stomach and even lead to ulcers in susceptible individuals. If in doubt about consuming alcohol while on this medication, always consult with a healthcare professional or pharmacist first before drinking alcohol while on it.
What are the side effects of ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory medication used to manage pain and fever. It works by blocking certain enzymes within your body that produce prostaglandins that trigger pain and inflammation, providing temporary relief of fever, mild to moderate pain and inflammation (redness, swelling and soreness).
If you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, taking ibuprofen should be avoided during the final 20 weeks of gestation or later as it can harm both fetus and delivery complications. In addition, warfarin or similar drugs that thin the blood should also be avoided as taking more than one NSAID (a class of drugs which includes ibuprofen) at once increases your risk of side effects such as bleeding. As some over-the-counter cold and flu medications contain aspirin or ibuprofen; always read labels carefully!
Use of too much ibuprofen can lead to serious side effects, including ulcers in your stomach or gut and holes in the lining of your esophagus, stomach or intestine. If this occurs for prolonged periods or when combined with alcohol consumption while taking high doses of the drug, stop taking ibuprofen immediately and consult your physician or pharmacist immediately.
Some individuals are more susceptible to an allergic reaction when taking ibuprofen than others, and should seek emergency medical care as soon as they experience one. You may require steroid injections. Signs of an adverse reaction from ibuprofen include swelling of your face, throat or tongue as well as difficulty breathing or tightness in the chest or an increased heart rate – you could even get a rash or hives!
Ibuprofen comes in tablets, capsules and syrup forms. To ensure optimal use, read your medicine packet’s leaflet thoroughly and seek clarification if there are any parts you don’t understand. It is advised to take ibuprofen with food or milk in order to reduce stomach upset; if taking too much causes discomfort in your stomach instead of relief try an antacid instead.
What is the compatibility of ibuprofen and laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal uses pulsed light to destroy hair follicles and prevent new hair growth, providing less discomfort than waxing or electrolysis. Although you won’t experience quite as much pain during a session than with these methods, there are ways you can minimize discomfort during sessions: an over-the-counter pain reliever before your appointment may help, while many salons provide numbing cream which can also help alleviate pain during sessions.
If you choose to use numbing cream, be sure to follow all manufacturer’s instructions carefully in order to prevent potential side effects. Also avoid any products containing alcohol or caffeine 24 hours before your treatment as these could dehydrate skin cells and lower pain tolerance levels.
Before your appointment, it is recommended that you shave the area to make it as comfortable as possible and take precautions such as not taking blood thinners, aspirin, or ibuprofen that could affect light sensitivity; these include blood thinners and anti-inflammatories – so be sure to notify your physician.
Time of TreatmentDepending on the size and location of the area being treated as well as your pain threshold, laser hair removal treatments typically last anywhere between one minute to an hour depending on its complexity. Small areas, like lips or small back areas may only need treatment in minutes while larger areas like both legs or average-sized backs may take much longer to be finished off successfully.
At first, your laser treatment may cause discomfort; however, most clients find the discomfort tolerable. Some have likened it to having rubber bands snap against their skin, and given that only hair follicles are targeted and surrounding tissue remains undamaged, it shouldn’t be as painful than other forms of hair removal.
After your laser hair removal treatment, it is normal for some redness and swelling in the treated area to appear; this should subside within several days. Aloe vera gel can help soothe skin discomfort in this area; hot baths or harsh treatments should also be avoided to ensure maximum healing results.
What should I do if I experience pain or swelling after a laser hair removal treatment?
Your skin may become slightly sensitive after laser hair removal treatment, so it’s important to take extra special care when caring for it afterward. Avoid harsh or fragranced soaps, detergents or perfumes for at least a week post-treatment; use cool showers instead; opt for cool baths (or use an ice pack wrapped in clean towels on treatment areas); avoid tanning; wear SPF 50 sunscreen whenever going outside in sunlight – these measures can all help ensure maximum success!
Prior to using laser therapy, it’s advisable to shave as the heat from the laser can cause burns if hair is left too long. Be cautious not to overshave as doing so may irritate hair follicles and produce blisters, slow healing times and result in slow healing times for wounds that do heal properly.
Preventing discomfort before and during laser hair removal treatments with pain relievers is an effective way to lower discomfort levels, but you must be wary not to consume medication that thins blood such as ibuprofen. Therefore, it’s a good idea to consult your physician or pharmacist regarding which drugs may be taken safely before and after laser hair removal treatments; try switching over to acetaminophen which doesn’t alter blood thickness levels as much.
Should you experience any side effects following laser hair removal treatment, it is crucial to notify a qualified dermatologist as soon as possible. Most temporary side effects will clear up on their own within several days or weeks; if however severe side effects persist for extended periods or worsen over time it could indicate infection or another serious health problem and should therefore be dealt with as quickly as possible.
Overall, laser hair removal is an efficient and safe treatment to reduce unwanted hair growth. The procedure itself is fast, noninvasive, and carries minimal risks; in fact, many consider it one of the safest forms of hair reduction available today. In order to maximize results from treatments every 6-8 weeks it’s key to stay on a regular schedule and adhere to it religiously.
