Laser hair removal involves pressing a handheld device against your skin, with your technician pressing down with it and sending the laser beam. You may experience what feels like rubber bands snapping against it.
Sun exposure should be avoided for six weeks prior and after any dermatology treatments to reduce the risk of discoloration and burns on skin.
Avoid hot water
Persons with sensitive skin should avoid hot showers and baths after laser hair removal as this can irritate the area further, potentially leading to redness, swelling, or burning sensations in the treatment area. Instead, taking a cold shower post-laser hair removal can ease discomfort while decreasing chances of burning or irritating it further.
A cold shower may also help people who experience itching after laser hair removal procedures. The discomfort could be attributed to destroyed hair follicles during treatment; although, normal itching should subside within days or so; for severe itching relief use a hydrocortisone cream.
After laser hair removal treatments, it is also vitally important that no products be applied directly to the treated areas for at least 24 hours post treatment. Applying soap, body lotions or any other kind of product on the treated areas could irritate and make them more sensitive. In these days after laser hair removal it would be wise to use only mild soaps that do not have fragrance and shower gel without exfoliating agents as these may aggravate skin sensitivity further. Scrubs, loofahs or sponges should also be avoided as these could further irritate skin sensitivity.
Laser hair removal is an efficient and safe method for eliminating unwanted body hair. Less invasive than waxing and offering long-term results, laser treatment requires following post-treatment instructions provided by your laser technician in order to get optimal results.
One of the most frequent mistakes people make after laser hair removal is failing to protect themselves from sun exposure for two weeks post treatment, since UV rays can irritate sensitive skin further and make it even more vulnerable. Sunbathing and spending time outside should therefore be avoided until at least this point.
Avoid shaving for at least 48 hours following laser hair removal treatments to minimize irritation to your skin and help it recover more effectively. Shaving too soon could irritate and hinder healing.
Avoid scrubbing
When showering immediately prior to laser hair removal, it is best to refrain from scrubbing the area which will be treated. Scrubbing can irritate and inflame skin layers which could delay or reduce effectiveness of laser therapy treatment sessions.
Use of a gentle cleanser is recommended, but make sure not to scrub the treated area as this will increase irritation and delay laser treatments, and may also result in an unpleasant burning sensation that lasts for hours after application of laser.
Before scheduling laser hair removal treatment, it is recommended that you refrain from scrubbing for at least three days prior. Scrubbing can irritate skin and make it dry and red while also clogging pores causing acne breakouts or other forms of skin conditions. Also avoid products containing retinol, salicylic acid or hydroxy acids until at least three days before your appointment with your laser hair specialist.
Your skin may experience itching after receiving laser hair removal treatments, however excessive scratching could lead to scarring if done excessively. Instead, seek out soothing moisturizers that can provide temporary relief and calm the itching.
Showering prior to laser hair removal sessions is vitally important as it removes any excess oil on the skin, which allows the laser to target only hair follicles without harming surrounding tissues. Furthermore, shaving, waxing and tweezing the area before your appointment could lead to shorter-than-expected regrowth which could potentially compromise results.
After laser hair removal, hair grows back in cycles; only 30% is in its growth stage at any given time; thus you must wait several weeks before shaving or waxing the remaining hairs.
Before attending your laser hair removal appointment, it is strongly advised to refrain from using deodorant and skincare products in the areas being treated, and any perfumed lotions or creams. Once at your appointment, however, moisturize with fragrance-free moisturisers in order to minimise skin irritation.
Avoid lotions and oils
Prior to your laser hair removal appointment, use gentle cleanser and moisturizer on the area where laser hair removal will take place. On the day of treatment itself, however, lotions and oils applied directly onto skin where laser hair removal will occur should be avoided as these create an unnecessary barrier between you and the laser that prevents its full effects from being realized.
At the same time, using scented soaps, shower gels, exfoliating brushes or mitts may irritate the treatment area and lead to redness. Instead, unscented body wash should be used instead to cleanse it effectively while gentle e-cloth or loofah scrubs can also help clear away dirt and oil without inflicting further harm to the skin.
Self-tanners or sun beds must not be used on areas being treated for laser hair removal as this will interfere with its ability to target individual follicles resulting in uneven skin tone or blisters if used prior to laser hair removal sessions. We advise staying out of direct sunlight for at least two weeks prior to booking your session.
If you must shower prior to laser hair removal, cool or lukewarm water is ideal. Avoid hot showers, baths and saunas which may exacerbate irritation to the treatment area as well as increasing risk of burning or peeling.
Before your session, it is also recommended to shave with a new blade so as to prevent bacteria introduction into the area being treated. Your laser technician will provide guidance regarding pre-treatment and showering routine based on type of laser used, area being treated, skin type/sensitivity considerations and any other relevant factors.
Avoid tanning
Laser hair removal has grown increasingly popular over time due to its efficient and effective means of eliminating unwanted hair. Lasers use concentrated beams of light to target and destroy hair follicles, leading to less hair in that area and eventually no growth at all. Compared with electrolysis or waxing – which are both painful – it offers less invasive solutions while being permanent (at least to some degree). Unfortunately though, all this comes with some potential drawbacks, so in order to get optimal results from laser treatment there are certain things you should avoid doing while showering in order to get best results from laser treatment.
Before going through with laser hair removal, always use cool water when taking a shower. This helps prevent swelling and irritation in the area that was treated, and reduce itching that may be experienced post-laser hair removal; should this become bothersome, visit your physician and request hydrocortisone cream as an antidote – or consult a hydrocortisone patch from them directly if it persists.
Lotions or oils in areas where you are having laser hair removal should also be avoided, as these could irritate the skin and make it sensitive to heat. When in the sun, sunscreen with an SPF 30 rating should also be worn.
Avoiding tanning three to four weeks prior to laser hair removal treatment is one of the most crucial steps you can take. Tanning increases skin sensitivity to heat, increasing risk for hyper-pigmentation and burns during laser hair removal sessions. In addition to forgoing tanning before your treatment session, avoid fake tans in the days leading up to it as well as skin-lightening products that contain hydroquinone that might interfere with it and aloe vera gel may be beneficial in areas being targeted by laser hair removal sessions.
