Laser hair removal can be an excellent way to rid yourself of unsightly body hair, but certain actions should be avoided to minimize complications and speed recovery.
After receiving laser therapy, it is wise to avoid hot showers, saunas and steam rooms as these activities may cause redness, irritation, blistering or rashes on your skin.
1. 24 hours after treatment
Laser hair removal leaves your skin extra sensitive, making it vulnerable to blistering if exposed to too much heat. Therefore, saunas and steam rooms should be avoided immediately following treatment; rather than saunas and steam rooms it is wiser to take cool showers while applying aloe vera for after care purposes to maintain smooth and calm skin post treatment.
Before your laser treatment, it is advisable to shave the area(s) you intend to treat. Waxing or plucking will interfere with the laser’s ability to target hair follicles efficiently; shaving allows the natural growth cycle of hair to continue uninterrupted while providing safest form of hair removal.
On the day of your appointment, it is important to wear loose clothing and remain hydrated. Bring along something to read during your laser hair removal process such as a book or magazine to keep yourself entertained; alternatively numbing cream can be applied directly over areas which will be treated.
Laser hair removal treatments often cause people to sweat excessively during treatment, which is an understandable response; however, you should avoid exercising or hot showers/saunas for 48 hours post appointment as sweat can irritate sensitive skin exposed to laser beams, potentially leading to itching, redness or blistering of treated areas.
Utilizing an exfoliator on the area being treated between laser hair removal sessions is highly recommended in order to remove dead skin cells and speed up shedding so that hairs can be extracted at their root level.
Avoid sun exposure for at least two weeks post-laser hair removal treatment on the area(s) being treated, particularly tanning beds, to lower the risk of hyperpigmentation which could interfere with results of treatment. If necessary, make sure you use high SPF sunscreen to cover this part of your body as much as possible.
2. 48 hours after treatment
If you plan on going through laser hair removal in the future, it is crucial that you know how to take proper care for your skin after treatment. This includes applying moisturizers or lotions with moisturizing agents after each session to keep it hydrated and moisturized; this will reduce risks related to side effects occurring either during or after treatment sessions. Furthermore, heat sources like hot showers or saunas should not be applied directly after sessions to avoid further irritation or damage to the skin.
Before your appointment, it is wise to avoid waxing, plucking, and bleaching any area to be treated as these acts will disrupt the growth cycle and prevent the laser from targeting hair follicles properly. Instead, it is advised to shave at least 24 hours prior to ensure enough hair length exists for laser targeting purposes. Furthermore, any activities which could make you sweaty such as visiting a gym or sauna should also be avoided prior to scheduling an appointment.
After having undergone treatment, your skin may become particularly sensitive to heat. Therefore, it’s essential that for seven days following any hot water treatments such as showering or other forms of hot water usage on your skin you avoid showering or using any hot water products as this could irritate it further and potentially result in red marks and bumps appearing on it.
As part of your treatment strategy, applying sunscreen will protect the treated area from UV rays which can cause hyperpigmentation and burns from sun exposure. Aim to use at least a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 30 daily.
Exercise regularly post laser hair removal, be sure to wear loose clothing so as to reduce friction between your skin and clothing. In addition, hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms should be avoided for at least 48 hours after treatment to allow your skin time to recuperate afterward.
For lasting results, regular sessions must be scheduled. Most people require between four and six treatments before seeing results; however, certain areas of your body may grow hair faster than others or never fully lose it all; it is therefore crucial that you follow all aftercare advice above, in addition to talking to your healthcare provider or skincare specialist regarding possible options available to you.
3. 72 hours after treatment
When it comes to laser hair removal, it’s essential that you follow certain simple rules. These include avoiding tanning both outdoors and in tanning salons as well as waxing or plucking as these activities alter the hair growth cycle, making it impossible for lasers to target and destroy individual follicles effectively.
Once your treatment has taken place, it is wise to wait at least 48 hours before immersing your skin in hot water or taking hot showers, since prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures could cause inflammation and blistering in the area, negatively affecting results. Furthermore, loofahs, sponges or any textured items should not be used on the skin in its post-treatment stages; opt for gentle cleansers and body washes without perfumes or products instead.
Apart from avoiding sauna and hot tub use, it is also wise to forgo depilatories or waxes on the area for at least six weeks as these methods tend to pluck hair out by pulling it from its source and reduce laser treatment’s efficacy.
However, you should still exercise and participate in activities that raise your heart rate, such as running or sports, just make sure that afterward, you take time to cool down with moisturizer and use cooling gel on the affected area(s) to protect from heat while also avoiding rashes or irritation of any sort. Similarly, wool or cotton fabrics could potentially irritate skin sensitivity during activity and should be avoided as much as possible.
Before beginning laser hair removal, it’s advisable to purchase over-the-counter numbing cream from a local pharmacy in order to ensure a comfortable and effective experience at LH Spa & Rejuvenation. Doing this will allow for an enjoyable visit!
4. 1 week after treatment
Laser hair removal has quickly become the go-to option for women who find waxing tedious or uncomfortable. This outpatient procedure uses light beams that target pigments within skin to heat them up and eventually break apart, thus stopping future hair growth. While any part of your body can be treated, most common treatment areas include legs, arms, underarms, bikini area, and chest.
Laser hair removal uses a handheld device that is applied directly over the target area, creating an elastic-band-snapping sensation and sometimes an occasional burning sensation on contact with skin. Treatment typically lasts up to one hour depending on its size; during that time patients should relax or read a book in order to ease any discomfort experienced during this procedure.
After your procedure, it’s essential that you stay away from activities that cause the skin to become hot and sweaty – this includes saunas, hot showers, and steam rooms – as the skin may still be highly vulnerable and further irritation could lead to red marks or bumps that last several days. If this occurs, use a cooling compress or lotion in the area in question in order to reduce any swelling and redness that might arise.
Avoid treatments that will disturb hair follicles such as shaving, waxing, plucking or electrolysis; instead use sugar or salt scrubs to exfoliate skin a few times each week between laser hair removal sessions – though remember to wait at least 24 hours after exfoliating before exfoliating as this could irritate it further.
After laser hair removal, it is also wise to limit exposure to sunlight until your skin has fully recovered from laser treatment. Sun rays can darken skin tone, diminishing its effectiveness. Therefore, many recommend having laser hair removal performed during winter or fall when conditions are ideal for healing.
