Failure to use proper skincare after laser hair removal sessions can result in serious damage and lead to side effects including extreme itching, tingling and burning sensations similar to sunburns.
Make time every week to exfoliate with a soft washcloth and mild soap or scrub wash, using either soft bristle brushes or scrub pads, in order to speed the shedding of damaged hair follicles and prepare your skin for further treatments. This can speed up shedding processes as well as smooth out imperfections on the surface.
Dead Skin Cells
Dead skin cells build up on the surface of your skin and can block pores, leading to irritation. Exfoliation helps rid your body of these dead cells and keep your complexion looking vibrant and healthy. Brushes, loofahs or body washes are great tools for exfoliation; harsh scrubs may damage it further and lead to dryness – instead opt for gentler versions made of natural ingredients and without artificial scents for maximum effectiveness.
When using physical exfoliants, be careful not to rub too hard as this may lead to redness and peeling. Instead, use small circular motions focusing on areas with the most buildup. A natural sponge can also be useful; wet it before gently rubbing it against your skin in circular motions. You could also try using an exfoliator with salicylic acid as this may prevent ingrown hairs or razor burn.
At two to three weeks after laser hair removal, you may notice blackhead-like bumps on the skin. Don’t panic; this is completely normal as your body sheds its trapped hairs through exfoliation and scrub washing several times each week. To expedite this process further, try exfoliating using gentle scrub washes like I use on myself or use gentle exfoliation scrubs regularly.
After you finish exfoliating, don’t forget to moisturize your skin after laser hair removal. Dryness may linger after laser hair removal and can irritate it further; heavy creams with strong fragrances should be avoided as these could clog your pores and lead to breakouts.
As part of your post-laser hair removal regimen, it’s also essential not to pick at or shave the area that was treated with laser. Doing so disrupts the natural cycle and may negate any beneficial results of laser. If some hair needs to be removed tweezing and waxing should be used rather than forceful methods like these; otherwise the remaining hair may regrowth unevenly and patchily over time.
Bumpy Skin
One of the more frequent side effects of laser hair removal is bumps. They’re caused by your skin reacting to heat from the laser, and typically last only for hours or days after treatment. If they persist after that point, it is recommended that someone consult a physician or dermatologist to receive advice on treating them; common solutions might include applying cool compresses, gentle soaps and moisturizers, exfoliation techniques or applying cool compresses containing caffeine or aloe vera and exfoliating with gentle scrub pads.
One common cause of post-treatment bumps is follicular edema. This happens when heat from laser treatments alters hair follicles, causing them to swell and turn red; usually only lasting a day or two and clearing on its own. To speed the healing process up more quickly it is recommended that people use only lukewarm showers/baths and use cool compresses with cold compresses on them for best results; additionally steroid creams may help under doctor’s guidance – another common culprit for post-treatment bumps!
One reason people experience post-treatment bumps may be caused by laser heat opening up their pores and becoming clogged with dead skin cells, dirt and bacteria – this causes flaky and dry skin and crusting on top. Picking at this crusting could break open their skin leading to bleeding, scabbing and scarring if done too often.
Moisturizing the skin after laser hair removal is important, and one effective option is a moisturizing cream containing alpha-hydroxy acids, lactic acid, salicylic acid or urea as these ingredients serve as natural exfoliators that can remove dead skin cells which cause post-treatment bumps. In addition, sun exposure after treatment should be limited as UV rays can cause inflammation that exacerbates bump formation; heavy or greasy cosmetic products should also be avoided to avoid potential breakouts in pores.
Redness
Laser hair removal can be an effective and safe procedure for many, but improper care of the skin could result in unwanted side effects that could include redness, itching, swelling, tingling and burning sensations similar to mild sunburns. Though usually temporary in nature, they could lead to permanent damage of your skin if left unattended for too long – in severe cases these side effects could even result in scarring, scabbing and extreme irritation that further extend your treatment sessions and delay future laser hair removal sessions.
If the skin becomes irritated after laser hair removal, applying cooling aloe vera gel or lotion may help ease discomfort. Furthermore, hot showers, baths, saunas and hot tubs should be avoided until after your skin has fully recovered as hot water may make the treated area sensitive and lead to painful pinprick sensations if left too long in direct contact.
Redness and itching may occur after laser hair removal due to a histamine reaction. Although usually harmless, prolonged itching may persist – for relief you could take an antihistamine such as Benadryl or Zyrtec to ease itching symptoms.
As another side effect of laser hair removal, treated hairs may begin to shed naturally over time. This is perfectly normal and will eventually go away along with the natural process of your body shedding hairs naturally. In some instances, black dots appearing like ingrown hairs may actually be dead hairs coming out from hair follicles; gentle exfoliation is an excellent way to accelerate this shedding process and speed it along faster.
Shaving too soon after laser hair removal can be an irreparable error that compromises its effectiveness and can increase irritation in treated areas. Shaving too soon leaves hair trapped under the skin that cannot be reached by laser treatment; furthermore, cut hair may be pulled out by its roots causing inflammation and itching in treated areas.
Irritation
Laser hair removal typically causes mild side effects; however, they may become much worse without proper exfoliation of your skin beforehand. Common symptoms may include itching, redness, slight swelling and an uncomfortable burning sensation similar to sunburn – these side effects will eventually fade but could delay or prevent future treatments from being effective.
Avoid this by exfoliating regularly after each laser hair removal session with sugar or salt scrubs using a washcloth or sponge, moving in circular motions over your body areas that were treated. Salicylic acid-containing scrubs may also prove useful in combatting ingrown hairs and clogged pores.
If you use a scrub, allow at least 24 hours between sessions for any laser treatments that involve irritation to your skin to resolve. Avoid products like retinoids and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). Moisturize with fragrance-free lotion but be mindful to stay clear of treatment areas which remain sensitive.
After your treatments, it is wise to avoid plucking newly emerging hairs that have come up. Not only can this interfere with their natural growth cycle but it may also decrease effectiveness in future sessions. If necessary, use blunt tweezers that don’t cause cuts or nicks when plucking.
Note that only 1/3 of hair follicles are in their active growth stage at any one time, meaning you will likely experience some hair regrowth after laser treatment. While this can be frustrating, remember that it is normal and will eventually fade. In the meantime, try using a shaver on areas not being treated by laser hair removal to help remove extra hair that could become ingrown or tangled as well as using topical aloe vera gel which soothes red bumps or itching.
