Unwanted hair can be an unsightly nuisance. Instead of spending your life wasting it away shaving cream, razors, or waxing it away, consider laser hair removal for smooth, silky skin without needing constant upkeep.
However, some individuals make errors that could impede the efficacy of their laser hair removal treatments, including shaving, plucking or tweezing between sessions.
Shaving
To maximize the efficacy of laser hair removal, it’s essential to remember to not shave or wax prior to your appointment. Shaving and waxing damage the hair follicle, making it less responsive to laser treatment and leading to the regrowth of hair in treated areas. To avoid this happening, try and forego plucking and waxing for six weeks prior to beginning any sessions.
At times, it may be necessary to pluck or tweeze some errant hairs in areas targeted for laser therapy; however, this should only be done sparingly due to delicate skin in this region. Also avoid shaving between treatments as it can result in razor burn.
Shave several days prior to laser hair removal sessions in order to ensure that your hair is at an ideal length for treatment by the laser. Otherwise, too long of hair could singe the skin, leading to pain and discomfort as well as prevent it from working effectively.
Shaving before laser hair removal sessions can also help remove any dead skin cells that might be hiding beneath the surface, leading to smoother results and making you more comfortable during laser sessions. Shave in the direction that your hair grows naturally to remove any patches of dead skin that might form underneath.
Shaving isn’t like working out, so taking your time and using a sharp blade to reduce razor burn or cuts is important in order to avoid potential discomfort or cuts. This is especially vital when shaving hair from bikini areas as nicks and bumps can be painfully annoying! For maximum effectiveness and to prevent bacteria entering the shaved area and causing irritation or razor burn.
Exfoliating
Shaving is essential before going in for laser hair removal, whether at a salon or doing it at home using an IPL device. Shaving helps the light target the hair follicle without harming skin cells and to promote faster hair shed after treatment. Exfoliation also aids this process; for maximum effectiveness use a gentle scrub with loofa or brush on areas of your body where exfoliation needs to take place and ensure not too hard of an application as this could cause cuts on skin and cause unnecessary pain during procedure; using an exfoliator at least three times weekly is ideal.
On the day of your treatment, it is advisable to avoid using any creams or oils as these could impede with its efficacy. This is particularly important if using laser on the face or neck; makeup and creams could interfere with its results. Furthermore, plucking or waxing hair prior to an appointment could prevent active growth phases that are necessary for laser targeting from entering their active growth phase and compromise their success.
Prior to scheduling a laser hair removal appointment, it is wise to refrain from shaving as this may hamper its ability to target the roots of the hairs effectively. Prior to your laser appointment, be sure to shave at least 24 hours earlier, taking care not to overshave as this could result in cuts or nicks obstructing its effectiveness. Before scheduling a laser hair removal appointment, it is advisable to forego waxing, epilating or plucking as these techniques remove hair at its roots rather than its surface layer, potentially interfering with laser treatment effectiveness. This is particularly pertinent if planning on conducting the procedure on bikini areas where root-level presence of hair is essential in order to be effective.
Preparing the Skin
You should avoid shaving directly before your laser hair removal appointment as this could damage the hair follicle and diminish its effectiveness. In addition, shaving leaves small temporary grazes on top layer skin which may make laser treatment sensitive or painful for you – thus not ideal. Therefore, for optimal results it’s recommended that shaving at least 24 hours in advance allows enough time for healing of skin damage caused by shaving.
As waxing, tweezing and plucking remove hair at its roots from within its follicle, laser hair removal will become less effective after such actions have taken place. Since laser works only on pigment in hair and not the actual follicle itself, waxing, tweezing or plucking will compromise its effectiveness significantly.
Before your session, it is also wise to avoid tanning or using a sunbed as this can increase photosensitivity and may irritate skin further. Furthermore, it may be wiser to reschedule if you are on your period as this could also increase photosensitivity and cause further issues.
Your skincare routine in the lead up to your appointment is also of key importance. Avoid exfoliating on the day of, instead using something like KENZO Hydrating Body Scrub which has earned a 4.8 star rating and contains salicylic acid to treat ingrown hairs, razor burn, and clogged pores.
Before your treatment session, it is advisable to stay away from products containing glycolic acid, retinol or chemical peels for two or three days as these can increase photosensitivity and lead to unwanted side effects.
As well as making sure the skin is clean, moisturisers, oils or any other skincare products such as moisturisers can interfere with a laser’s ability to penetrate into layers of the skin and destroy hair follicles. You should expect some shedding in the days following your treatment, which indicates that damage has occurred and confirms the effectiveness of laser.
Preparing for the Treatment
Laser hair removal offers many advantages, one being its non-invasive nature: light beams absorbed by pigment in hair will destroy its root and prevent future growth. But as with regular shaving, proper laser treatment requires daily and timely grooming of treated areas to achieve effective results.
Shave 24 hours prior to any appointment in order to reduce thermal injury to your skin. Furthermore, plucking and waxing the area will only hinder this process further; additionally, sun exposure could make your skin more sensitive leading to burns during treatment.
Before your appointment, it’s advisable to avoid skincare products containing glycolic acid, retinol or any other ingredients which could interfere with the light beam. Instead, opt for a gentle cleanser which will ensure your skin is completely cleansed of impurities on its way into your pores. Be sure to inform your skincare professional if you are on your period as this could impact their results negatively.
On the day of your appointment, make sure to wear loose and comfortable clothing in order to remain calm and ease of movement. Doing this will allow your body to move more freely.
Follow these tips, and your at-home laser hair removal session will be significantly more successful than if left to chance. Be consistent in scheduling regular sessions if you want the same lasting results as professional salon machines do – be patient if using at-home devices is something new for you compared to salon machines!
Laser hair removal can be an extremely effective solution for eliminating unsightly strands that might be bothersome before your wedding day. As long as you commit to regular treatments and adhere to all the guidelines listed above, your unwanted hair will eventually vanish — leaving behind smooth and radiant skin!
