Shaving before laser hair removal is vital for optimal results, as the light beam needs to see pigment to target it effectively. Unshaved areas will produce small temporary grazes which can be painful but will soon heal over time.
Before your laser appointment, it is also advisable to avoid plucking, waxing and bleaching as these methods don’t promote sufficient hair growth for laser treatments to be successful.
Shaving
Prepping an area to be treated for laser hair removal involves shaving it first; this removes all of the above-surface hair which allows the laser to more quickly detect hair follicles. Furthermore, it helps minimize pain and skin damage during treatment, particularly for people who tend to accidentally nick themselves when shaving with razors.
People seeking laser hair removal often become confused as to when and how often to shave for laser treatment. While some believe it’s best not to shave immediately prior to an appointment, shaving remains an integral component of the process unless your hair has long, thick or dark roots – in such instances it would be wiser to shave prior to scheduling an appointment so the laser can see your follicles more clearly.
When shaving, light energy from a laser penetrates your follicle and destroys stem cells responsible for hair production – effectively stopping any future hair growth from this source. Don’t skip this step if you want your results to last!
Plucking or waxing the area to be treated should also be avoided, as this will allow hairs to grow back at different rates, making it harder for laser to locate them again. Shaving too close to an appointment could result in temporary grazes on your skin that take time to heal.
Use a high quality razor with minimal pressure when shaving to ensure you don’t miss any hairs or cut your skin, while still having access to an ointment or cream for healing purposes if any cuts do appear. Also keep an extra razor on hand in case there are any accidents!
Laser hair removal does eventually eliminate the need to shave regularly; however, it typically takes multiple sessions before the hair will stop growing. While you wait, continue shaving in between sessions until your natural cycle kicks in and less hair grows outwards.
Exfoliating
Before your laser hair removal appointment, gently exfoliate the area you intend to treat using an exfoliating glove, washcloth or loofah to rid yourself of dead skin cells gently and avoid cutting yourself with sharp scrubs that might cut into sensitive and painful skin layers. Use only gentle scrubs like this one; harsh ones could harm or cut through them altogether and make laser sessions even more arduous and uncomfortable for you! To exfoliate effectively before your laser session use an exfoliating glove (with or without body wash) in combination with regular body wash in combination with regular body wash for best results – these should work wonders in getting rid of dead cells safely before laser sessions!
Waxing or epilating should also be avoided to ensure laser treatments can work effectively; hair must remain intact in order for this treatment to work optimally. We advise discontinuing waxing/epilating 4-6 weeks prior to your laser hair removal appointment so your follicles are full and ready for treatment.
If you use products that increase photosensitivity, such as retinol, it is advisable to discontinue these 2-3 days before laser treatments such as facials and other skin treatments as these could also increase photosensitivity and make you more photosensitive. This includes products like face creams containing retinol, acne medication and tretinoin. Facials or any other skin treatments in the weeks preceding laser procedures could also increase photosensitivity in similar ways.
After your laser hair removal treatment, it is completely normal and should subside quickly. Applying aloe vera gel or lotion directly onto the skin may provide comfort or reduce any inflammation, while an ice pack wrapped in cloth or paper towels could provide pain relief as well.
Hair in the treatment area will begin to thin out approximately one week following each laser session and continue to decline as you complete a series of sessions for optimal results. It is crucial that you invest in as many sessions as possible so as to maximize results that last over time.
Once your series of laser treatments is over, the only maintenance required will be regular shaving with an electric razor to maintain results and avoid ingrown hairs forming. Be sure to do this gently by using an electric razor instead of manual blade shaver!
Moisturising
Women and men spend hours every week shaving, waxing, and plucking out unwanted hair from their faces, bikini area, legs, backs, or any other part of their bodies – which is both time- and money-wasting and unnecessary. With laser hair removal treatments such as IPL or FUE systems available today, this task can easily be eliminated quickly and with precision from facial areas like bikini line or legs backs as well as other parts of body such as bikini.
Laser hair removal is safe for all skin types and areas of the body, including sensitive ones like those on sensitive scalps. It works by targeting pigments within hair follicles to destroy them using heat energy – thus stopping new hair growth altogether. Although multiple sessions may be needed to achieve permanent, smooth results, laser hair removal is generally quick and painless process.
Before your laser hair removal appointment, it is a best practice to shave both day and night to ensure that your skin is completely smooth. In the weeks after having laser treatment done, however, shaving should be avoided since your skin may become more sensitive after laser. Waxing, tweezing and other hair removal methods should also be avoided during this period as your pores will have tightened more after laser.
Lotions, tanners, deodorant and other skincare products should be avoided on the day of a laser hair removal appointment as these can clog pores and interfere with its results.
On the day of your laser hair removal appointment, it is advisable to use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer. A moisturizer will replenish any loss of moisture on the surface of your skin, preparing it for treatment and aiding its recovery afterwards.
Avoid swimming for 24 hours following laser hair removal treatments as chlorine and bacteria from water may irritate the surface of your skin, potentially creating redness and inflammation. If swimming is unavoidable, apply sunscreen over the treatment area as this will protect it from UV rays.
Bleaching
Bleaching can have a dramatic impact on the results of laser hair removal, so it is wise not to bleach your hair prior to an appointment. The laser targets pigment from hair roots beneath the skin’s surface; bleaching alters this pigment and makes it harder for the laser to target it effectively. You should stop bleaching any area to be treated at least six weeks prior to scheduling an appointment for maximum effectiveness of laser treatment.
Before your laser appointment, it is also crucial that you don’t pluck or wax the area to be treated, as this disrupts hair follicles which could impede laser treatment. Furthermore, sun tanning products and self-tanners may lead to sunburned skin which could be painful as well as discoloration of your skin causing discoloration of its own.
Shaving should be performed prior to laser hair removal appointments because it protects both the root of the hair and its follicle, decreasing chances of side effects like blistering and discoloration after treatment. You should also ensure that the area being treated is free from deodorant, cosmetics, lotions or ointments; use gentle soap when cleansing this area before your appointment and rinse well afterwards.
Avoiding plucking, waxing and shaving the area that will be receiving laser treatment is key to making sure it works as effectively as possible. Furthermore, staying out of direct sunlight for at least 4-6 weeks prior to receiving laser hair removal treatment is advised as too much sun can lead to sunburns that compromise its efficacy. Be sure to apply and reapply sunscreen regularly after exposure for maximum sun protection and no sunburns! After your session make sure your skin stays hydrated by moisturizing with aloe vera ointment several times daily if possible – leave it alone as its own healing capabilities will ensure its own ability! If any crusting or scabbing occurs let it heal naturally rather than picking at it!
