Laser hair removal is an effective and safe solution to permanently eliminate unwanted hair. Proper skin care practices should be observed to achieve maximum results from this technique.
Within the first week following laser treatment, it is wise to refrain from using any beauty products which might irritate the skin, such as makeup, body washes or deodorants.
Redness
After receiving laser hair removal treatment, it’s essential that you take proper care for your skin following each session. This means exfoliating at least twice per week between sessions, wearing at least 30 SPF sunscreen daily and reapplying regularly, and avoiding hot showers, tubs, saunas and heating pads on areas treated.
One of the most frequently reported side effects from laser hair removal treatments is redness. This happens because laser treatments damage or kill hair follicles so they cannot grow back, prompting skin reactions in response. While redness may last up to 24 hours after treatment, it should clear up by itself eventually; otherwise you could use a cooling mask as a temporary fix to alleviate it further.
Laser hair removal often causes itching. Although this is a normal reaction, it’s important to resist the temptation to scratch as this may further irritate and redden your skin, further increasing redness and irritation. Instead, take an over-the-counter pain reliever like Ibuprofen for some relief from itching.
Within 5-30 days after beginning a treatment regimen, dead hairs from your hair follicles may begin to shed onto the surface of the skin and show evidence that your treatments are working, serving as proof that they should continue as planned.
Although shaving these hairs is effective, it’s best to refrain from waxing, plucking, or using hair removal creams as these may interfere with their natural growth cycle and undermine any laser hair removal treatments you undergo. Exfoliation may also help facilitate faster hair shedding while preventing ingrown hairs.
Light is also one of the key things to avoid after laser hair removal treatment; direct sunlight can aggravate existing redness, itching and sensitivity in treated areas, so it is best to keep them covered until any redness has subsided. You may still shower as long as you use gentle cleanser and cool or lukewarm water; alternatively use cream that contains aloe vera which has cooling and soothing properties on the skin for aftershower moisture therapy.
Bumps
After laser hair removal sessions, you may experience bumps around the treatment area due to heat from the laser opening up pores that become blocked with dead skin cells, dirt, and bacteria. Your body attempts to rid itself of these waste products by producing pus-filled cysts as an immune response, much like acne. To avoid this painful side effect, it is crucial that the treated area is gently cleansed with a cleanser that does not contain alcohol or harsh ingredients, and light lotions should only be applied after laser hair removal sessions in order to avoid buildups of oil that clog your pores.
Before laser hair removal has healed completely, it is wise to refrain from shaving any areas on your body that have had laser hair removal until their bumps have completely subsided. Shaving can irritate and further inflame skin tissues; alternatively you could try using an ultra-gentle razor or electric shaver instead; in either case it should only be done once every week and up to six times each month until completely healed.
Bumpy skin can be an unwelcome side effect of laser hair removal treatments, but they can be avoided through regular exfoliation. While exfoliation should not occur within 24 hours after laser hair removal treatment as this could cause irritation, regular exfoliating between appointments will keep skin clear and healthy.
This scrub contains salicylic acid and has been specifically designed to prevent ingrown hairs, razor burn, and clogged pores. With over 1,400 5-star reviews on Amazon and great for sensitive skin. Aside from using an exfoliator like this one, another great way to reduce bumpy skin appearance is avoiding hot showers, baths, saunas or any other sources of heat that irritate or cause redness is avoiding hot showers/baths/saunas which may irritate it even further and may lead to redness or swelling of your skin.
Ingrown Hairs
Hair should rise up through the surface of the skin when they grow, but when trapped beneath it (known as ingrown hairs) they can create red marks and bumps due to being forced against an irritated follicle. Exfoliation regularly is vitally important as this will remove dead skin cells that could obstruct hair follicle growth properly and allow proper development.
Ingrown hairs often result from forced methods of hair removal such as tweezing in areas with thick or coarser hair growth, such as areas prone to thick or coarser growth patterns. They are an unpleasant skin condition which may cause pain, inflammation and infection.
Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells on the surface layer of your skin that have built up, leading to hair follicle clog-up in the first place. By exfoliating with an exfoliating scrub regularly, dead cells can be cleared away more effectively, helping prevent ingrown hairs while also making shaving more comfortable for you and easing irritation from shaving in certain areas.
After laser hair removal, you may notice that the area you treated has become somewhat dry due to being temporarily compromised by laser light. As a result, it’s recommended to avoid hot baths and showers for 48 hours following your treatment, in order to protect your skin from becoming irritated and flaky.
At this time, it is wise to only use lukewarm water when showering or bathing, and avoid hot tubs even if they seem comfortable to your skin. Hot water can cause severe skin irritation that leads to clogged pores.
Once your skin has recovered from laser hair removal, exfoliation can resume. Wait a few days first because after treatment your skin may be more delicate; use a mild exfoliator such as one containing lactic or salicylic acid for maximum effectiveness.
Are you seeking a permanent solution to unwanted hair? At Le Parlour Laser Spa, we specialize in laser hair removal for facial, neck and body hair removal. Make an appointment now to receive our expert laser services!
Dry Skin
Exfoliation after laser hair removal may leave the area feeling dry. This usually happens within one or two weeks post treatment and is completely normal; hair follicles will naturally shed their dead hair as they die, however you can speed up this process by exfoliating with something such as a washcloth, puffy shower sponge, loofah or exfoliating scrub wash to speed up this shedding process and prepare your skin for its next session of treatments.
At home laser treatments should always start by cleansing with a gentle cleanser daily and avoiding lotions or oils which could hinder its ability to target hair follicles effectively. Applying light moisturizer will keep the treatment area feeling hydrated.
If you experience dryness, try to refrain from picking at your dry and flaky skin as this could result in scarring. After five days you should notice crusting appearing on its own; don’t try picking at it as it will eventually disappear by itself.
Normal is also to find small black dots on your treatment area – these are called pepperspots and represent dead hair follicles, while being slightly uncomfortable to look at, they will fade on their own in a matter of days.
Acne is another possible side effect, caused by blocked pores that cannot expel dead skin cells and bacteria, as a result. You can avoid this effect by washing the treated area regularly with a mild cleanser that is free from chemicals and perfumes.
Bear in mind that these side effects are temporary and that the benefits of laser hair removal far outweigh any discomfort you might experience during treatment. If you’re ready to make the leap and start your journey towards smooth skin contact our specialists at Skin Cancer Specialists P.C and Aesthetic Center located throughout Atlanta metro.
