If you plan on getting laser hair removal this summer, be aware of some key rules. First and foremost, avoid direct sunlight 72 hours before beginning treatment.
As soon as you leave the hospital after your treatment session, it is also crucial that you wear sunscreen – your skin may be very susceptible to sun damage afterward and requires protection.
Precautions
Are You Searching for Alternative Methods of Hair Removal? Laser Hair Removal May Be the Answer
One of the biggest mistakes people make after receiving laser treatment is visiting the beach too soon after their session, since laser treatments leave your skin more susceptible to heat than usual and tanning beds should be avoided in order to minimize side effects like hyperpigmentation, burns, scarring and discoloration.
Laser hair removal works by blasting your skin with high-intensity light to target and destroy pigmented hair follicles, but unfortunately also damages surrounding skin, leaving it more susceptible to the sun’s UV rays, which penetrate damaged spots on skin to cause redness, burning, bruising and hyperpigmentation – the latter of which is probably most frequently experienced after laser hair removal treatments. Hyperpigmentation may not be the only side effect, however. Exposing yourself too much sun after this type of treatment could result in hyperpigmentation or hyperpigmentation but that isn’t the only issue after laser hair removal treatments either!
After laser hair removal, to safeguard your skin safely it is wise to limit sun exposure for several days post-op and avoid self-tanners and wearing long-sleeved clothing in order to limit skin irritation and avoid getting sunburnt too easily.
After receiving laser hair removal treatments, it’s also essential to use sunscreen with an SPF rating of 50 or higher to protect the skin from UV rays that could potentially cause cancer, premature aging and other serious health problems. Furthermore, wearing wide-brimmed hats or clothing covering exposed areas could further protect you.
Post-procedure care
Laser hair removal uses pulses of light to heat and destroy hair follicles, providing effective relief to any area on the body with dark, coarse hair in its active growth phase. Although effective results can still be obtained when done on skin that has been tanned, the treatment may become less efficient in these instances.
Procedure is generally pain-free; however, you may experience redness, swelling or small bumps after treatment. Most individuals will see these side effects subside within one to two days; if these side effects become bothersome however, an ice pack applied for several minutes at a time may help alleviate symptoms temporarily; otherwise consider taking an anti-inflammatory drug such as Ibuprofen for severe symptoms.
When venturing out in the sun, it is imperative that you use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Reapply it every two hours as well as after swimming, towelling or perspiring; UVA and UVB rays from the sun can damage skin even after laser hair removal, so taking proper precautions to protect yourself is vitally important.
Prior and following laser hair removal sessions, tanning should also be avoided as it increases the chances of hyperpigmentation and can also cause burning sensations on treated areas that could compromise results of laser hair removal treatment.
If it becomes necessary for you to tan, it is recommended to always use an oil-free and noncomedogenic self-tanner; tanning beds may cause irreparable harm.
If you need laser hair removal, scheduling sessions about two weeks apart is ideal so the skin has time to heal between treatments and ensure hair follicles don’t experience active growth during future sessions. This will provide more consistent and long-lasting results.
Sunscreen
After laser hair removal sessions, your skin becomes especially susceptible to sun’s UV rays, which can become permanently damaging if exposed. Exposure can result in hyper-pigmentation, burns and scarring which will thwart all your hard work on healing your skin as well as prevent further progress on its journey toward restoration. It’s therefore crucial that after receiving laser hair removal treatment you avoid sunlight as much as possible while using sunscreens to shield it.
After laser hair removal, it is imperative that you apply broad-spectrum sunscreen in order to protect yourself from UV rays for as long as possible in the sun. You should use at least an SPF 30 sunscreen and if possible higher. Whenever possible it would also be prudent to opt for physical sunblock instead of chemical ones since physical ones will act as shields against UV radiation while chemical ones absorb it directly into your skin.
Avoid tanning the area that has been treated by laser. Tanning causes hair follicles to change color, which may interfere with your laser hair removal results. Also try not to pluck or wax over that region as this could increase regrowth of unwanted hair.
After laser hair removal, using sunscreen can help minimize side effects like hyper-pigmentation, burns and scarring as well as maintaining the smooth appearance of skin during summertime. It also acts as an excellent way of maintaining that flawless appearance for extended.
If you have any queries regarding laser hair removal or how to take care of your skin post treatment, don’t hesitate to reach out – our office would be more than happy to assist! We look forward to helping.
Tanning
Laser hair removal treatments may seem impossible during summer months, but that is simply not true; results will take longer, but it is safe for your skin to be exposed to sun and tanning beds after receiving laser hair removal treatments. Due to how the treatment works by targeting and damaging melanin in hair follicles, surrounding skin can also experience redness or even heat rashes during the procedure. Thus, it is vitally important that after laser hair removal one abides by instructions regarding sun protection and avoidance. While it may take longer for desired results to appear, doing so will certainly be less painful than dealing with permanent dark spots on your skin.
Consider choosing a salon or spa that employs medically qualified doctors for laser hair removal treatments, so they can monitor your skin throughout and after treatments, helping reduce risks like skin rashes.
After your laser hair removal treatment, it is best to wait a few days before using skin exfoliation products on the area that was treated as your skin may take several days to recover fully and this could potentially stimulate further hair regrowth. You should also refrain from plucking or waxing as this could contribute to increased regrowth.
Before heading out into the sun after laser hair removal treatment, always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher to safeguard the area and maintain a healthy appearance. This will protect it from sun damage while keeping its appearance as natural as possible.
There are certain rules you shouldn’t break, such as staying out of the sun and tanning beds for two weeks prior and after laser hair removal treatment. Doing this will not only lower the risk of hyper-pigmentation but will also ensure your treatment results are as successful as possible. Luckily, there are other ways you can achieve a bronzed glow this summer without negatively affecting your treatment results.
