Laser treatments work by sending concentrated beams of light directly to hair follicles, targeting them and damaging them enough to stop further growth. Therefore, prior to your laser treatment you must avoid self-tanning products or spray tans (including body foundations or instant/wash off tans) which contain tanning agent such as self-tanners/tanning sprays etc..
1. It’s too dark
Prior to your laser hair removal session, it is recommended that you stop using fake tan and skin darkening products for at least 10 days prior to any treatment with laser. As laser will react similarly with real and fake tan alike, it is imperative that all traces of these products from your skin including lotions, sprays and sun exposure.
Laser treatments utilize light energy that is absorbed by melanin found in hair and skin. If you have a dark fake or natural tan, more of this energy may be absorbed by your skin than normal, leading to uneven coloring of skin or hair follicles.
Fake tanning dyes and pigments may increase skin sensitivity for an indeterminate period, interfering with laser’s ability to target hair follicles accurately and possibly leading to red, itchy or flaky patches on skin that could prevent laser from working effectively.
Laser hair removal can be an effective and safe treatment option for people of all skin tones; however, for optimal results it’s wise to wait several weeks after fake tanning before starting laser sessions and use moisturizing creams post laser so your skin has ample time to recover properly.
Avoid direct sun exposure for several weeks after having laser treatments as this may lead to uneven tanning and increase the chance of patchy or streaky results. While most people seek laser hair removal so they can feel confident wearing more revealing summer clothing, it’s still wise to protect skin using sunscreen both before and after their laser session.
2. It’s too light
Laser hair removal devices use laser light beams that target pigment in your skin and hair follicles, turning that energy into heat that damages them and stops future hair growth in that area. For optimal results, lighter skin tones should contrast against darker hair colours for best results.
Most laser technicians recommend that clients avoid tanning prior to and during a series of laser treatments, as tanning causes hair follicles to absorb more of the laser energy, leading to less effective treatments and/or hyperpigmentation.
However, it can be tempting to get that golden glow before your next race day or spring carnival event! However, there are other ways of achieving the desired glow; sunless tanning products offer another viable solution that uses safe ingredients to darken skin without UV radiation rays causing harmful side effects. Just wait a few days or up to one week after receiving laser treatments before applying sunless tanning products to any areas you want treated again.
Laser technicians must be able to see hair follicles clearly for them to treat them effectively, which makes fake tanning harder for them. As it obscures skin tone, fake tan makes it more difficult for laser technicians to locate hair follicles, potentially leading them to miss spots or provide uneven treatments.
Fake tanning may also interfere with a laser’s ability to identify melanin in hair follicles – the pigment responsible for giving your skin its natural, sun-kissed hue, as well as what the laser targets to reduce hair growth. As such, it becomes difficult for it to precisely target follicles, which has negative repercussions for effectiveness and outcomes of treatments.
3. It’s too orange
If you enjoy using Fake Bake self-tanner to give your skin an added golden hue, it is imperative that it is completely removed prior to beginning Laser Hair Removal as this could interfere with its results. This also applies to any gradual tanning lotions or moisturisers with tanning capabilities as these may alter your natural skin tone and may alter how the laser reacts with it.
Laser treatments work by targeting pigment (including your hair’s dark pigment) with a beam of light or wavelength, which absorbs and converts to heat – effectively destroying its follicle so it cannot grow back. If you wear fake tan instead of natural skin tone and contrast between them and hair pigment, laser will have less success reaching hair follicles to destroy.
Sunbeds and spray tans also alter your skin tone, making it harder for laser treatments to target hair follicles effectively. Therefore, it may be beneficial to wait 4-6 weeks after receiving sunbed or spray tanning treatments before having laser treatment performed so as to maximize effectiveness of treatment process.
As part of your treatment preparations, it is also a wise move to stop all forms of tanning (sunbeds and spray tans) as this will protect against unwanted discoloration caused by treatments and can protect from Rosacea related discolorations as well. Apply SPF regularly on areas being treated as this will provide extra protection. This advice especially holds true if you have sensitive skin.
4. It’s too red
Laser hair removal works on the principle that dark pigments (such as those present in your hair) absorb more energy than lighter ones (like skin pigmentation) which allows a laser beam to target only hair without damaging nearby skin or discoloring surrounding tissue. Unfortunately, when your skin color is darker than your hair it becomes difficult for the laser beam to differentiate between the two and it could potentially burn or discolor rather than target its target, hence why most doctors advise patients avoid tanning prior to and during laser hair removal – including traditional sunbathing, tanning salons or self-tanning.
Avoid this issue as much as possible by discontinuing all tanning products and spray tans at least two weeks prior to laser hair removal; however, this can sometimes be unrealistic especially around spring carnival when everyone seems intent on attaining that perfect sun-kissed glow.
Unfortunately, self-tanners and bronzers alter the color of your skin, making it harder for laser technicians to identify your hair follicles clearly – leading to less effective treatments or missed spots.
Fake tanning chemicals may make your skin more reactive to heat during laser treatments, leading to redness, blistering or peeling as a result of heat exposure. All of this would only worsen with further applications of fake tan after having already undergone laser hair removal treatments. It is therefore advised that you wait a few weeks after getting laser treatments completed to attempt getting rid of unwanted hair using lasers using advice given from the laser clinic; this will ensure your treatment sessions are as safe and successful as possible.
5. It’s too yellow
Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular treatment to eliminate unwanted body hair, leaving skin smooth and beautiful. Unlike shaving or waxing, laser technology uses pulses of light to target and destroy hair follicles responsible for future hair growth – safely and effectively! However, it is essential that certain things be avoided prior to treatments in order to maximize results while minimizing risks and complications.
One of the key points to keep in mind when starting laser hair removal treatment is not using any self-tanners, spray tans, or bronzers at least two weeks beforehand. Fake tan may disrupt how laser works by altering its effectiveness and leading to hyperpigmentation on your skin.
Applying these products replaces melanin with other chemicals that prevent laser from targeting and destroying hair follicles, as well as avoid exfoliation during treatment time. It is also essential not to exfoliate these areas during this phase.
Before going in for laser hair removal treatment, it is advisable to shave all areas that will be treated. Lotions or other moisturisers could potentially interfere with how the laser works and make treatment ineffective. Ideally, those receiving treatment should also have been shaven prior to their appointment.
Plan your Spring Carnival wisely this year by opting for natural glow rather than fake tanning! By doing this, you can focus on enjoying all of its festivities without the distraction of worrying that your skin looks less-than-ideal.
