Unwanted hair can be an impediment to daily activities, but laser hair removal could be just what’s needed to rid yourself of all that pesky fuzz. But before embarking on this journey it is important that you be informed of some important details before getting started.
One such strategy is shaving – for optimal results it should be performed 24 hours prior to laser treatment. Bleaching, waxing and plucking should also be avoided as these processes impede laser process.
Hair must be at least a quarter of an inch long
Shaving too short can cause the hair to grow back into a stubble and be detrimental for laser treatments, so it is essential that at least a quarter-inch is shaved off prior to laser sessions in sensitive areas like bikinis. Hair should ideally not extend above skin’s surface so as to be visible to your technician and will easily visible to them. You should avoid waxing or tweezing prior to an appointment since these methods damage hair follicles that respond well to light energy from lasers.
Doing an improper shave could leave your skin irritated and inflamed, which can create issues when it comes time for laser hair removal treatments. Therefore, it is crucial that you hydrate in the days leading up to each session, using only fresh razors free from bacteria – this reduces your chance of accidentally nicking yourself while shaving, which could result in unpleasant side effects from treatment.
Prep yourself for your laser treatment by exfoliating with a gentle exfoliator to rid yourself of dead skin cells and excess oil on the surface of your skin before your appointment with the laser, so it can penetrate deeper into the dermis to target pigment and destroy hair follicles more effectively. In the days prior to your laser therapy appointment, try to limit sun exposure or tanning sessions as much as possible and if necessary use high-quality sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 30.
Before going under laser treatment, it is advisable to refrain from plucking, tweezing or waxing hair as laser technology cannot target any follicles that have been removed through other means. Furthermore, waxing afterward could interfere with the process of disabling the follicles, leading to unwanted growth of new follicles and potentially leading to another treatment session.
Skin must be clean and dry
Before beginning laser hair removal treatments it is essential that the skin be completely free of excess hair, in order for laser energy to reach every hair follicle effectively and cause no unwanted side effects like temporary grazes on your surface of skin which will take several days to heal without posing any further difficulties during or after treatments.
Before scheduling a laser treatment appointment, it’s best to avoid waxing or plucking the area for hair removal purposes. These methods work by plucking hair from its follicle, which reduces its effectiveness when combined with laser therapy; light energy uses pigment-containing cells as its target in order to heat and destroy hair follicles; without them attached, light energy won’t reach into destroy them as effectively.
Shaving is an effective and safe way to remove hair before laser hair removal treatments, provided you use a safety razor with light pressure applied. Shaving too hard could result in irritation to the skin and an increase in thickness that diminishes its effectiveness.
At least two to three days before your session, avoid using skincare products with ingredients known to irritate skin such as retinoids or glycolic acid, which may increase light sensitivity and potentially trigger histamine reactions. Be sure to notify your laser specialist if any medication may increase light sensitivity.
Finally, it is wise to avoid direct sunlight as prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays can cause discoloration and increase your risk of an allergic reaction to laser light treatment. If necessary, be sure to apply high SPF sunscreen when venturing outdoors; additionally tanning beds and self-tanners can contribute to uneven skin tones or even worse, cause uneven blotchiness after laser treatments.
Skin must be free of oil and moisturizers
Before laser treatments can be administered effectively, your skin must also be free from lotions and oils that could inhibit their effectiveness. A great idea would be to shower the night before your appointment and gently cleanse and wash the area in which you will be receiving laser therapy treatments, avoiding rubbing or patting dry as this can irritate it further. You should also steer clear of products like sunless tanning products and numbing cream to reduce discomfort in this process.
Makeup should also be removed from the skin in preparation for laser hair removal, particularly foundation and eyeshadow products that contain pigments that could interfere with its results. Tinted moisturizer should also be avoided in favor of something clearer like Shea butter or aloe vera; any additional facial products applied could potentially clog pores and irritate the skin further.
One of the most crucial steps you can take prior to laser hair removal is stopping any forms of shaving, plucking or waxing on the area in question. Laser technology targets hair at its root follicle and can affect it differently from how shaving, waxing and plucking do; in fact these hair removal methods could actually prevent laser from reaching it and singeing it effectively.
If you do shave on the day of your laser treatment, be sure to use a sharp razor with gentle pressure and use only sharp blades. Shaving too quickly or too hard can leave skin very sensitive after shaving and less effective treatment results may follow. It may also be wise to apply a light layer of moisturizer before treatment as an additional protection in case any cuts occur during shave.
Before your laser treatment, it is also wise to utilize a gentle exfoliant for at least three days to rid your skin of dead cells and excess hair growth. This will allow more effective laser treatments while leaving the area looking silky smooth. However, please keep in mind that healing after shaving may take some time, so be patient!
Skin must be free of medications
Shaving 24 hours prior to laser therapy appointments allows the hair’s roots to be exposed and give the laser something it can target. Furthermore, waxing, epilating and tweezing should be avoided since these methods rip out hair from its root leaving nothing for the laser to target and may result in thinner and lighter-colored growth of hair regrowth.
Be upfront with your specialist regarding any medications you are taking prior to attending your appointment, especially antihistamines containing photosensitive ingredients which may cause light sensitivity and result in an adverse response from laser treatment.
To achieve optimal results from laser treatment, it is crucial that any skin products containing glycolic acid, retinol or other exfoliators (e.g. fake tanners) not be used within two to three days prior to laser treatments and fourteen days before chemical peels (for chemical peels). Also limiting sun exposure as too much sun exposure increases melanin levels which hinder laser effectiveness; avoid fake tanning products which may cause irritation as this will delay your procedure.
At your appointment, the area that needs treatment will be cleansed and covered in a cool gel. While discomfort or stinging is normal, ice can help soothe it away quickly. Once that has settled down, gentle washes with water can remove any remnants and prevent infection; after which any swelling and redness should subside shortly afterwards.
After several treatments, hair should begin to grow back thinner and sparser due to laser light targeting only active hair follicles in their growth phase; to maintain this effect it’s recommended that you shave at least every other day, ideally daily – this will keep skin looking healthy while preventing ingrown hairs from appearing.
