After receiving laser treatment on any area of skin, for one week afterward it is advised that you refrain from using any exfoliants (AHA/BHA, physical exfoliators such as exfoliating gloves/brushes/products with exfoliating beads etc) in order to let it heal properly and reduce irritation. This will assist your body’s recovery while also helping avoid irritation of existing wounds or future laser sessions.
Shave the area as usual; each time, you will notice less and less hair being shed!
1. Your skin will be more sensitive
Laser treatments are intensive and potentially damaging to the skin, so any exfoliants used prior to laser hair removal could make the experience more uncomfortable or worsen any side effects that might occur. Therefore, it’s recommended to refrain from exfoliants for at least 24 hours prior to receiving laser treatments if your skin has recently been exfoliated.
Avoid using products that could increase skin sensitivity, including makeup, lotions, deodorants, sunless tanning products and numbing cream. In addition, it would be wise to limit any physical activities which heat the skin further, such as hot showers or heavy workouts.
Additionally, it is crucial that the treatment area be protected from direct sun exposure as well as spray tanner or self-tanner for at least two weeks prior to laser treatment. If you suffer from acne, topical creams containing retinol and chemical acids like salicylic acid should also be discontinued for at least this amount of time prior to receiving your laser therapy session. Lastly, any antibiotics taken within two weeks must also be avoided (unless cleared by your physician).
After your laser session has concluded, it is not unusual for redness and bumps to appear as dead hair is shed from hair follicles; you should expect this process to continue between five-30 days posttreatment. If new hairs appear after shaving them off, don’t shave them; doing so could stimulate further growth and lead to further stimulation and eventually regrowth.
Instead, exfoliating the area regularly will prevent hair follicles from becoming clogged with excess sebum and contribute to achieving smooth and radiant skin!
2. Your skin will be more prone to ingrown hairs
If you suffer from ingrown hairs, they can be both annoying and discomforting. From armpit to bikini line they can appear anywhere – often itching and irritating the skin. There are various methods available for eliminating ingrown hairs including laser treatment; laser hair removal works by disabling hair follicles to stop new growth from sprouting from them – though while effective this process can also be harsh on the skin.
Ingrown hairs develop when dead skin cells clog the opening of a hair follicle, leading to irritation and redness. Exfoliation is an excellent way to unclog those clogged strands and help prevent future ingrowns; however, be careful not to exfoliate immediately prior or following laser treatments as doing so could increase risk for adverse reactions.
Exfoliate three days prior and following laser hair removal sessions for optimal results. Exfoliation can help loosen trapped hairs that are ready to shed while also keeping pores clear; just be sure to use gentle exfoliants, such as an AHA lotion or gel with lower concentration of acidity or physical exfoliators such as gloves or brushes.
Before and after laser treatments, avoid using body scrubs on areas to be treated, as this could potentially cause irritation. On your appointment date, be sure to fully shave all areas being addressed by laser treatment.
Last, for optimal laser hair removal results it is wise to refrain from applying makeup or lotions directly onto the area being treated at least 24 hours prior to an appointment, as this will allow the laser to better target hair follicles. Wear loose clothing during appointments as tight clothing may rub against sensitive areas and cause irritation. You should also try not engaging in activities which increase body temperature such as exercising or taking hot showers at least two hours before and after laser hair removal treatments as these activities could potentially raise body temperatures too quickly – pregnant or breastfeeding women cannot undergo laser treatments due to risk of skin burst. Finally, anyone using Accutane within six months should refrain from having laser hair removal due to risk of skin bursting.
3. Your skin will be more prone to acne
Laser hair removal is generally safe for most people; however, those with sensitive skin may experience redness, swelling and small bumps after treatment. While these minor side effects tend to fade quickly for most individuals who experience them, if this does happen to you it may help to use a cool compress or apply a damp washcloth dampened with cold water to help minimize discomfort or irritation – or taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol may help as well.
If you suffer from acne, laser hair removal treatments may cause breakouts to increase following. This is a natural side effect as the heat response that your body experiences from laser light can cause the skin to swell up leading to pimples or pimple-like bumps developing on the surface of your skin. The best way to minimize flare-ups after laser hair removal treatments is through maintaining an effective yet gentle skincare routine at home such as cleansing with mild cleanser and applying light moisturizer regularly.
Before your laser appointment, it is advisable to avoid products containing alpha hydroxy acids (like glycolic, lactic, citric and salicylic acids), beta hydroxy acids such as salicylic acid or physical exfoliants like scrubs, brushes or gloves on the area being treated for at least two weeks prior. Furthermore, you should discontinue waxing, tweezing and chemical epilation procedures and wear loose clothing which won’t rub against it and potentially irritate skin in order to minimize discomfort and ensure optimal results.
Before receiving laser treatment, it is important to limit direct sun exposure on the area being treated and avoid saunas, steam rooms and hot showers, which generate excessive heat which could interfere with its efficacy.
Accutane, retinoids and certain antibiotics may make your skin sensitive to light; for this reason it’s recommended that you stop taking these medicines two weeks before laser hair removal appointments. Furthermore, spray tanners or self-tanners should also be avoided prior to their appointments, as well as topical treatments like anti-aging creams, chemical peels or hydroquinone that could make these sensitive spots worse.
4. Your skin will be more prone to sun damage
If you are using an AHA-based product, it’s recommended that you discontinue use two weeks prior to laser hair removal in order to allow your skin to clear up properly. Furthermore, avoid sun exposure in the area to be treated for at least as long as using AHAs – this allows the laser to precisely target hair follicles instead of becoming confused by pigmentation and tanning.
Tanning lotions and sprays as well as any form of natural or artificial sun exposure should also be avoided, since laser hair follicle removal relies on heat emission from laser beams to destroy hair follicles – this could result in extra discomfort or burns if you already have sunburnt or recently exposed skin. It is advised to wear loose clothing to your appointment in order to minimize rubbing and irritation to the treatment area.
Before beginning laser hair removal treatments, it’s wise to avoid products which could irritate the skin further, such as retinoids, medications, alpha-hydroxy acid products or vitamin C products as these could exacerbate skin sensitivity. Retinoids, certain medications and alpha-hydroxy acid products all increase histamine production in skin which could impede results from laser treatments.
After your session, it is best to avoid hot showers and baths (and steamy saunas) on the treatment area for several days post-treatment. As increased heat can aggravate skin conditions like sunburn or irritation, cooler options should be preferred when bathing or showering in this region. You should also continue wearing an SPF 50+ sunscreen such as Heliocare SPF50+ to protect it post-treatment.
To achieve optimal laser hair removal results, it’s crucial to follow certain tips. Make sure the area being treated is entirely free from soap, detergent and makeup residue before your appointment; don’t wear deodorant as its aluminum chloride content could irritate skin; also, try not to engage in excessive sweating or physical exercise in advance as this increases skin sensitivity leading to possible irritations and blotches afterward.
