Redness and small bumps are often experienced after laser hair removal treatment, though these side effects usually disappear shortly afterwards for most patients.
Laser hair removal involves having a doctor press a hand-held device against the skin to emit light energy into hair follicles and damage them, thus inhibiting future hair growth.
Avoid hot showers
Following laser hair removal, you may notice red and raised bumps on your skin immediately afterwards. This condition, called follicular edema, is caused by laser heat on each individual hair follicle. While they may seem alarming at first, follicular edema is completely normal – your follicles simply respond by swelling in response to its heat. Within days or so it will resolve itself completely.
Laser treatments may damage or distort hair follicles, leading to ingrown hairs which cause skin irritation or may resemble acne. You can avoid ingrown hairs by waiting to shave, pluck, wax or otherwise remove hair until after having undergone laser hair removal treatments; also remember to use broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen daily on treated areas to protect them against sun damage.
Avoiding hot showers after laser hair removal is key to minimizing inflammation and avoiding red bumps, while showering in lukewarm or cool water will soothe the skin and ease any discomfort experienced during treatment. Also, any lotions, oils or deodorant applied directly onto treated areas must wait until after laser hair removal sessions have concluded before applying these items.
As well as avoiding tanning beds and sun exposure, you should avoid exposure to UV rays which may irritate and damage the skin – increasing your chances of red, bumpy skin after laser hair removal.
Finally, make sure your laser treatments are administered by a licensed and trained provider with extensive experience in this field. Do your homework before choosing your provider by checking their website and social media pages to verify they are legitimate; also look out for those using high-quality laser technology.
Avoid exfoliating
Though exfoliation may seem tempting after laser hair removal, doing it too soon can actually do more harm than good. Your skin is especially delicate after laser treatment and should be protected with products that won’t irritate it further. Instead, use gentle cleanser and cold compress on the area to reduce redness and swelling; take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen as needed for any discomfort or pain relief.
Stay away from hot showers, baths and steam rooms for at least 48 hours after receiving laser hair removal treatments as the heat from these activities may irritate and itchy your skin. Also limiting exposure to extreme temperatures will prevent hair follicles being destroyed in this process.
After your laser hair removal appointments, it is advisable to avoid shaving for several days in order to reduce irritation and ingrown hairs. Furthermore, any other forms of hair removal such as waxing and plucking should also be avoided until all laser sessions have been completed successfully.
After your laser hair removal treatment, it’s normal and part of the healing process to experience some hair shedding. This happens as destroyed hair follicles begin to shed their contents from your body. To expedite this process more rapidly, gently exfoliate with a washcloth and mild scrub wash several times each week to hasten this process further.
Apply a cold compress
After laser hair removal, the skin needs time to heal and recover. In order to do this, it is crucial that anything which could irritate or darken it – including self-tanners and hot water – be avoided as much as possible during this period. Furthermore, exposure to sunlight or any other sources of heat should also be limited during this period.
Cold compresses can help reduce redness and swelling after laser hair removal, as well as alleviate pain and discomfort. By targeting nerves that send pain signals directly to the brain, cold therapy travels along these nerve pathways to ease any sensations of pain that reach our brains. Aloe vera gel may also soothe skin inflammation relief.
Following laser hair removal sessions, it is wise to wait several days before using cosmetic products on the area that was treated as this will allow time for any potential irritation from beauty products to subside. Also it is advisable to stay out of direct sunlight as prolonged exposure could result in hyperpigmentation or burns affecting the skin.
Laser hair removal is one of the most popular and effective ways of eliminating unwanted hair, yet results may take multiple treatments to see. According to the American Academy of Aesthetic Surgery, most patients need six sessions spaced four or six weeks apart. A qualified and certified dermatologist should perform your procedure, as they will know which settings best suit your skin type and hair color as well as providing instructions for aftercare to minimize potential side effects.
Avoid picking or scratching
After receiving laser hair removal treatments, it’s normal to experience side effects like itching. Although it may be tempting to scratch at itchy areas, doing so could irritate and scar the skin further – an alternative would be using products designed to calm and promote healing, like Sudocream, to help ease itching.
After laser hair removal, your skin may become itchy due to heat from the laser’s heat fazing your follicles into shedding all their moisture, leading to flaky and cracked skin that eventually crusts over. However, picking at it could expose new skin that feels stingingly and cause bleeding, scabbing, or scarring that needs healing first before picking away at crusted patches of crusty skin – this should be avoided to ensure optimal results!
Follicular Edema is a common side effect of laser hair removal, and typically subsides within several days following your procedure. If severe itching persists, try applying cooling cream or 1% hydrocortisone ointment directly onto the area to soothe irritation.
Once a laser hair removal session has completed, it is also essential that the area be left clean and free from products except aloe vera for at least 24 hours afterward. A mild cleanser should be used and perfumed body washes/deodorant should be avoided as these can irritate skin further.
After laser hair removal sessions, it is best to avoid taking hot showers, as this heat may irritate sensitive skin. Instead, opt for taking either a cool or warm shower followed by applying a cool compress over the affected area and using moisturizer post shower in order to keep skin hydrated and avoid dry and itchy patches from appearing.
Avoid sun exposure
As part of your laser hair removal treatment, it is advised that you limit sun exposure prior to and following each laser hair removal session, even if multiple sessions have already taken place. UV rays from the sun can lead to skin issues like hyperpigmentation. Niki notes that this does not mean avoiding beaches or spending long days outside; rather it means using high SPF sunscreen daily on any part of the body exposed.
If you want to undergo laser hair removal this summer, the optimal location should be areas that don’t receive direct sunlight, such as your underarms. That way, treatment will be quicker and simpler as your skin will be at its most natural state for maximum effectiveness.
As it can impede with the treatment process by making it mistake skin pigment for hair follicles, tanning beds or exposure to sunlight for too long is advised in advance of an appointment. We suggest staying out of direct sunlight for at least a month-and-a-half before your scheduled visit or opting for artificial tanning products such as those offered at tanning salons.
Before laser hair removal, it’s wise to avoid plucking or waxing the treatment area as this may increase hair regrowth. Shaving or trimming should also be avoided since this removes melanin which provides skin protection from laser heat. Furthermore, using harsh bleaching creams on this area could interfere with treatment; to find out which one would best suit your skin consult a dermatologist about obtaining.
