Laser hair removal works by targeting hair follicles directly and damaging them, stopping future growth. In order for this process to take place effectively, however, shaving is necessary for reaching these follicles on the skin’s surface – or else laser treatment cannot reach.
Waxing, tweezing and plucking should also be avoided prior to laser treatment for two reasons:
Ingrown hairs
Ingrown hairs can be both painful and unsightly, as they pierce through skin to cause long-term scarring or dark pigmentation of an area. An ingrown hair occurs when a hair bends between its follicle and shaft, becoming trapped beneath its surface of skin due to improper or infrequent shaving; this could happen for various reasons such as shaving incorrectly or not shaving regularly – be it on your neck or bikini line, ingrown hairs are an annoying, frustrating problem that must be managed correctly in order to avoid.
Shaving is an effective way to remove unwanted hair, but it’s crucial that you practice proper shaving techniques and don’t rush through your sessions. Doing so increases the likelihood of cutting yourself or inflicting additional pain and sensitivity while speeding through sessions can cause razor burn, leading to razor abrasions which make laser treatment difficult or impossible altogether.
Before beginning laser hair removal treatments, it’s essential to refrain from shaving and waxing for 24-48 hours prior to commencing, in order to allow your skin to recover from any potential abrasions or irritation caused by these methods. Skipping this step may make your skin too sensitive for laser treatments to properly target hair follicles effectively.
Electrolysis or laser treatments may be better options than shaving, waxing, and tweezing for those with sensitive skin, as these methods work to permanently destroy hair follicles that produce hair follicles that produce new hair growth. Although this option takes more time, its results are more long-term and permanent than shaving, waxing or tweezing.
If you’re considering laser hair removal, it is vital that you carefully follow your clinic’s pre-treatment instructions. This generally involves shaving the targeted area 24-48 hours before your appointment and limiting sun exposure as well as topical products that might irritate skin. By following these steps you’ll ensure a successful session without additional discomfort or complications; should any questions or concerns arise during this process consult a dermatologist; they are best qualified to give advice tailored specifically for you and your situation.
Irritation
While shaving, too much pressure or speed could cause your skin to nick or cut accidentally if applied too forcefully or quickly through the process. While these nicks and cuts should heal over time, discomfort could arise during laser treatments if these nicks or cuts don’t heal in time; additionally, shaving strips away essential oils from the surface leaving it dry and sensitive, possibly leading to itchy or irritating patches which take several days to go away completely.
Avoid shaving for 24 hours prior to beginning laser hair removal sessions, although it’s beneficial to shave on the day prior in order to give your skin time to relax before your appointment.
An effective strategy for maintaining the surface of the skin while waiting for more natural oils to form within is to use shaving foam with moisturizing ingredients that lock in water and help hydrate it. This will protect its surface while you wait for your body to produce more of its own oils.
Shaving in the days leading up to your laser hair removal appointment will help prevent irritation and itching in your skin, and waxing and tweezing should also be avoided so your body has time to produce enough pigment for the laser technician to target.
Shaving before laser hair removal sessions makes your skin less vulnerable to heat. Laser treatments depend on heat to kill stem cells in hair follicles and prevent further growth; too long of hair could singe and burn your skin during treatment, rendering its removal impossible.
After you complete all your laser treatments, your body hair should become less dense, meaning shaves become less frequent or unnecessary in the future. Please be patient as your skin heals after each session; exfoliation can help avoid clogged pores from building up after treatments and will also make you look and feel your very best! Contact Body Details today to arrange a complimentary consultation about permanent hair reduction treatments in New York – we make it simple for you to achieve that smooth and beautiful look you desire!
Burning
Hair removal works by targeting melanin at the hair follicle with light energy. When there’s too much hair present, laser treatment cannot target its target melanin and destroy the follicle, therefore no progress has been made. Shaving is necessary so the laser can reach its intended target; shaving before each treatment session increases effectiveness of treatments and can ensure maximum efficacy of treatments.
Waxing, tweezing or plucking should also be avoided before laser hair removal to create the most optimal conditions for laser targeting of melanin deposits in hair follicles. Wait at least one month between waxing appointments before considering laser hair removal as an option as well.
As part of your laser treatment, you might experience something that resembles rubber band snapping against the skin or sunburn-like discomfort – both are indicators that the laser is working effectively. Furthermore, you might notice some shedding a few days post-treatment, another telltale sign that follicles have been destroyed and won’t grow back; though typically painless and short in duration but may leave behind an unpleasant sulfurous scent.
After each laser treatment, exfoliation is highly recommended to remove hair that was destroyed by the laser from your skin surface and also help prevent ingrown hairs from appearing.
After your laser hair removal treatments are over, to maintain results you should shave once or twice each week to maintain results. Over time your hair growth will diminish so you will need to shave less frequently until eventually every other day and then a few times annually for touchups are required – it will all be worth your while in the end! You will enjoy lighter and smoother skin thanks to this effort; so consider it worth your while now.
Discomfort
Shaving is a delicate process and applying too much pressure can result in small temporary grazes on the skin, making the area sensitive and uncomfortable during laser therapy treatment sessions. Nicked or cut skin will not absorb enough energy from the laser, rendering its treatment ineffective; therefore it is also wise to avoid sun exposure as this could darken it, altering how effectively it works with laser treatment.
At your laser hair removal appointment, the doctor will use a hand-held laser instrument to apply a warm pinprick sensation that may be supplemented by cooling devices or gel to protect and comfort the skin. Meanwhile, the laser beam passes through your skin and damage hair follicle pigment cells, effectively stopping future hair growth.
Before your appointment, it is essential that your skin be clean and free of hair so the laser can accurately target pigmented hair follicles. Waxing will remove these targets, rendering treatment ineffective.
If you find yourself drawn to plucking or waxing instead of shaving your hairs, it is advised that this also be avoided as this will disturb the hair follicle and reduce effectiveness of treatment. Furthermore, it may be beneficial to shave between appointments in order to preserve effectiveness of treatment.
Reducing unwanted hair requires multiple sessions, since each subsequent treatment session will result in finer and sparser growth than the one before. To minimize discomfort and ensure effective treatments, make sure that you shave 24 hours prior to each laser hair removal appointment so your hair will be at an optimum length for laser hair removal to work successfully.
