Many individuals can become dismayed when they experience red, raised bumps on their skin following laser hair removal treatment, but don’t be alarmed: these red raised bumps are common side effects of laser treatment and should not cause alarm.
Acne occurs when heat from laser treatments opens pores and causes them to become clogged with dead skin cells, bacteria and debris – creating tiny infections which appear like pimples.
Exfoliate the Skin
Exfoliation should be part of your routine before laser hair removal treatments, particularly as this helps remove dead skin cells and speed the rate of hair shedding post-treatment, helping prevent ingrown hairs from forming. However, you should avoid exfoliating within 24 hours after receiving laser hair removal as the area will likely be extremely sensitive and any harsh exfoliant could burn or blister the area of skin that has just been treated.
After laser hair removal, it’s normal for treated skin to feel irritated for several days or weeks after treatment. Though scratching and picking may tempt you, this may result in scarring or prolonged redness if done too often. Instead, use moisturizing lotion to soothe the area while keeping hydrated.
For extra sensitive skin types, applying aloe vera-infused soothing cream to the area after laser hair removal treatment may help alleviate discomfort. Furthermore, avoid applying fragranced lotions as these could further irritate it and worsen symptoms of discomfort.
After your laser hair removal appointment, it is also wise to refrain from taking hot showers or baths for at least 48 hours following. Hot water can irritate the skin and lead to it burning; to minimize irritation, shower with cool or lukewarm water and avoid hot tubs or washcloths as much as possible. In addition, any creams or other beauty products – including makeup, body washes and deodorant – should also be avoided on treated areas, including makeup application, body washes or deodorants.
Waxing, tweezing and plucking hairs in the area where you are receiving laser hair treatment are ineffective practices that disrupt hair growth cycles and may render future laser hair treatments ineffective. In addition, ask your practitioner to apply a numbing gel before beginning, which can help manage pain and discomfort afterward.
Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should also be discontinued prior to any laser hair removal treatments as this will allow your blood levels to return to their usual levels and lower your risk of bleeding during treatments.
Apply an Astringent
Laser hair removal can be an ideal solution for people suffering from excessive or rapid hair growth, yet many remain reluctant due to concerns over potential side effects. Common reactions after laser treatment include redness and bumps which should subside within a few hours after treatment; it’s also essential that any potential heat sources are avoided as this could result in burns or blisters occurring from heat exposure post treatment.
Instead, taking cool showers or applying ice packs for several minutes at a time may help ease any irritation caused by treatment and accelerate healing time.
Following laser therapy, your body will start shedding dead hairs that had become trapped in its pores. This process usually takes three weeks; at which point most of your hair should have fallen out. To accelerate the shedding process and decrease time spent shaving between appointments, exfoliating regularly may help; either with sugar or salt scrubs; mitt rubbing; or simply by washing the area with gentle cleanser in a circular motion can all work effectively. Regular exfoliation helps expedite this process faster.
Avoid applying any other beauty products such as lotions, oils, deodorant products, sunless tanning products or numbing cream to the treated area as this could irritate and block pores – further hindering hair fall-out.
Astringents are similar to toners, but are typically designed for oilier skin types and contain alcohol-based ingredients to remove excess oil from the skin. If you have dry or sensitive skin, toners are the better choice and should be avoided whenever possible.
Before beginning hair removal treatments, be sure to ask the provider whether their hands and tools have been cleaned thoroughly with antibacterial solutions in order to ensure any bacteria or dirt present on them does not end up on your skin following the session. This will protect both you and the specialist during their sessions.
Apply a Moisturizer
Moisturizing will keep your skin hydrated and assist with healing, while protecting from sun exposure as laser treatments may harm unprotected skin. Be sure to apply moisturizer regularly; doing so will protect the area from becoming dry, itchy or flaky while also helping pores breathe properly. It is also wise to forgo shaving or waxing immediately following laser hair removal since these methods remove pigmented hairs which inhibit its effectiveness and could negatively impact future treatments.
Laser hair removal often leaves skin irritated, leading to itchy areas on the body. Scratching should be avoided as this can lead to ingrown hairs or cause scarring on the surface layer of skin. A soothing lotion or aloe vera solution may provide soothing relief and speed up healing processes.
After laser treatments, it is strongly advised to remain out of direct sunlight as prolonged sun exposure may aggravate skin and cause redness and bumps. Furthermore, any perfumes, aftershave products or skin products used on treated areas should be left alone for at least 24 hours after laser treatment has taken place.
Observing no new hair growth after laser hair removal is a natural side effect and should resolve itself over 7-30 days. Remember, laser treatments only target the hair bulb and it takes time for its antigen phase to develop – shaving or waxing before this stage has taken place will result in thicker and darker hair growth as a natural defense mechanism of your body, thus diminishing results of future laser treatments.
Exfoliation after laser hair removal can help speed up shedding and growth by clearing away dead follicles that could be clogging pores, while encouraging new hairs to emerge and shed faster. Exfoliate daily after laser treatments as well as several times each week between laser sessions for maximum efficacy.
Avoid Sun Exposure
Prior and following laser hair removal treatments, it is vitally important that your skin be protected from direct sunlight as prolonged sun exposure can increase the risk of burns, scarring and hyper-pigmentation due to laser exposure.
Laser hair removal treatments performed on your face, neck or chest can put you at increased risk for sunburn. To protect these areas from becoming sunburnt following treatment, always wear a high SPF sunscreen (at least SPF 30) on those treated and try limiting sun exposure as much as possible; wear wide-brimmed hats when outside.
After laser hair removal, it’s wise to opt for cold showers or baths rather than hot ones in order to limit heat exposure on your body and avoid painful ingrown hairs or infections caused by excessive heat exposure. Doing so may limit how long it’s exposed to heat exposure.
Before opting for laser hair removal, it is also advisable to avoid using skin lightening creams that darken the surface of your skin as this could increase pigmentation on its surface and hinder lasers from targeting hair follicles beneath. Furthermore, it would be wise to refrain from shaving the treated area in the days leading up to laser hair removal as it can worsen your results.
Laser hair removal can be an extremely effective treatment for unwanted hair removal. In order to get optimal results from this therapy, however, it’s imperative that you follow all instructions provided by your laser hair removal technician in order to achieve maximum efficacy – failing to do so could result in serious harm being done to both skin and follicles.
Some instructions regarding laser treatments are non-negotiable, such as staying out of the sun for two weeks prior and after your laser procedure. Lasers work by shooting blasts of concentrated light onto skin that heat up and destroy hair follicles; when this process occurs on darkened or tanned skin, melanin present in it absorbs this energy and may cause burns or lasting damage from the laser beams.
