After receiving laser hair removal treatments, shaving may no longer be required; however, hair may still grow between sessions.
Shaving may cause irritation of these areas and slow your healing time.
Shaving
Shaving is a part of grooming routine for both men and women alike, providing convenience while giving skin an improved appearance and helping prevent razor burn. Unfortunately, shaving may also cause rashes, ingrown hairs, as well as increasing the risk of infections like folliculitis.
To avoid these complications, it’s best to wait several days after receiving laser therapy before shaving your laser-treated skin. Your skin may be red, swollen and irritated after treatment and shaving too soon can only aggravate these areas, leading to longer healing times and less effective results.
However, between treatments it’s best to shave, but keep in mind that your hair growth cycle will affect how lasers perform. Since hair grows through three stages (anagen, catagen and telogen) it is best to have laser treatment during anagen phase when actively growing hair is visible.
When shaving, ensure to use a fresh razor that does not contain bacteria. Exfoliating prior to shaving may help minimize razor bumps; waxing or tweezing before a laser appointment could interfere with its ability to find hair follicles and treat them more efficiently.
At all costs, avoid exposing the treated area to sunlight. Sun exposure not only increases risk for pigmentation but can also weaken its effects of laser therapy treatment. To help safeguard yourself against this possibility, wear broad spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+) every time you step outdoors.
Wear a hat or scarf when venturing outdoors; by taking these precautions, you can help ensure your laser treatment is as successful as possible.
Exfoliating
After receiving laser hair removal treatment, it is advisable to wait several days before shaving the area that was treated. Shaving can cause razor bumps which will worsen with laser treatment; to minimize potential injuries use a gentle skin exfoliating product to remove dead cells from your surface skin layer instead. It’s also wise not to overdo exfoliating too often by using harsh scrubs that exfoliate too deeply into your pores.
When returning to shaving after laser hair removal, it is best to select a razor designed specifically for sensitive skin. In addition, be mindful when applying pressure during shaving as this can reduce redness and irritation from new growth.
After laser hair removal, it is natural to experience new hair growth due to hormonal shifts. To keep these unwanted follicles at bay, make sure you follow a regular skincare regimen and have regular follow-up treatments scheduled with your laser specialist.
Some individuals notice their hairs begin to shed within days after receiving laser hair removal treatments, which might seem concerning but is actually an indicator that the procedure was successful! Laser treatments target and destroy only anagen hairs (growing above the surface of skin) so if these start to shed it means the laser has done its work successfully!
Exfoliation can help accelerate the shedding process; however, you should wait at least 24 hours after laser hair removal treatment to exfoliate. Resuming exfoliation after this timeframe may lead to irritation; once again exfoliating after this period should resume but wait several days before shaving affected areas so they have time to heal properly.
Plucking or waxing hairs is also key, as these methods can damage the skin and compromise the effectiveness of laser treatments. Body scrubs should also be avoided as they can be too abrasive for delicate skin that has undergone laser hair removal treatments. In addition, use cooling products on any areas where irritation occurs to help soothe any areas that have undergone hair removal treatments.
Moisturising
Shaving can cause the skin to lose its natural oils, leading to itchy and dry patches. A rich moisturizer may be able to prevent this. Products containing alcohol may irritate the skin further. You could try moisturizing with aloe vera or tea tree oil. Apply at least three times each day; for particularly irritating or itchy patches apply cold compresses on that area instead. Finally, avoid hot showers, which will strip your skin of its essential lipids.
For those with sensitive skin, try exfoliating with a gentle exfoliating scrub at least twice a week to help eliminate dead cells and make skin smoother. Exfoliate hairline prior to shaving in order to avoid razor burns; follow directions of razor when shaving if possible and consider adding an attachment designed specifically for sensitive skin razors that can reduce irritation from their razor.
After shaving several days prior to your laser hair removal session, it is recommended to refrain from shaving again after. Shaving afterwards could result in surface damage that compromises its effectiveness. Furthermore, other hair removal methods like plucking, waxing or electrolysis could interfere with follicles and reduce its success in treatment.
Following laser hair removal, it’s normal for the treated area to feel itchy or sensitive; this is an indicator that the treatment is working effectively. If itchiness or irritation persists after several days have passed, seek medical advice immediately from a dermatologist.
Prior to receiving laser hair removal treatment, it is wise to refrain from using products like sunless skin creams, tanning beds or bleaching creams that could darken your skin and impede its ability to find hair follicles more efficiently – which would reduce its efficacy.
Before going swimming, it’s essential to wait 24 hours. Swimming pools contain chlorine and other chemicals which may irritate the skin; additionally lakes, rivers and sea water may contain bacteria which could aggravate any existing skin issues.
Sunscreen
Laser hair removal can be an effective, safe way to achieve long-term hair reduction, but after treatment it’s essential to understand how best to care for your skin. Shaving is an integral component of this care, though waiting until redness and swelling has subsided is ideal. In order to protect the delicate areas around laser treatments from direct sun exposure it’s also wise to use sunscreen with an SPF high enough.
Laser treatments tend to work best on people with dark hair and light skin, as the contrast makes it easier for the laser beam to identify hair follicles and target them effectively. Although laser treatments can still benefit individuals of other hair and skin types, their effects may not be as apparent.
Before undergoing laser hair removal treatments, it is best to refrain from waxing or plucking as these activities reduce its efficacy. Plucking and waxing extract hair from its roots beneath your skin, leaving no follicles for the laser to target. Shaving should also be avoided before laser therapy sessions as its razor sharp blades could damage sensitive skin.
If shaving before your laser treatment, it is ideal to do it the night before or on the day of your appointment. This way, the laser can accurately locate hair follicles before treating them; making treatment more efficient. However, shaving cream or electric razors should be avoided since these can remove an essential protective layer that shields skin against heat-causing effects.
Once your laser hair removal treatments have concluded, you should experience a significant decrease in hair growth rates in the treated areas. As growth rate may fluctuate based on hormones or other factors, touch-up treatments should be scheduled every quarter or twice annually in order to keep results.
Are you ready to finally say goodbye to unwanted hair and experience silky skin without stubble? Contact us below for more information about laser treatments that could be right for you. Our team of experts is on hand to make you look and feel your best!
