After laser hair removal treatment, skin becomes extremely sensitive and any beauty products applied directly may aggravate it further. Therefore it is wise to avoid hot showers and direct sun exposure for optimal results.
Exfoliate the affected area on multiple occasions each week using a washcloth and mild scrub wash, in order to facilitate faster shedding of damaged hair follicles. This will aid the process of hair fall out.
1. After the treatment
Your skin may be sensitive after laser hair removal, so for 24-48 hours after treatment it is wise to avoid taking hot showers and baths, as well as saunas and steam rooms which use hot water that could burn and blister it further.
When returning to the shower, do not use any abrasive body scrubs. Use instead a gentle soap or body wash that is unscented instead for maximum cleanliness. After your shower session, apply an unscented moisturizer containing no other treatments such as glycolic acid to keep skin hydrated and help preserve moisture balance in your body.
After receiving laser treatment, it is normal for your area of concern to become red and swollen; some describe it as rubber bands snapping against their skin. If severe irritation arises please seek medical assistance immediately from either your GP or dermatologist.
During treatment, you’ll experience a series of stings as the laser destroys hair follicles – this may take minutes or hours and then some mild swelling may result. Furthermore, you may smell burning as hair follicles are being targeted.
After laser hair removal, it is also best to avoid sun exposure for several days, even with high SPF sunscreen. Your outer layer of skin will likely become more sensitive than usual and direct sunlight can result in sunburns, rashes and bumps. If necessary, wear a wide-brimmed hat when going outdoors and cover any areas treated by laser hair removal with it.
2. After the first day
Initial laser hair removal treatments may cause reddening and warmth around the treatment area, similar to mild sunburn. To alleviate discomfort, cold compresses are helpful, and good moisturizer can soothe skin as well. After several days have passed, heat sensation should diminish but redness and swelling could persist; during this period it’s important to use broad spectrum sunscreen whenever possible and stay out of direct sunlight.
Patients should use a non-comedogenic lotion or moisturizer after laser hair removal treatment to care for affected areas and protect themselves against possible side effects of treatment, such as irritation from strong-smelling soap or products that could exacerbate side effects from laser hair removal. It’s especially important if they had their facial area treated, since strong-scented soap could irritate sensitive skin further exacerbating side effects associated with laser hair removal.
Patients must wait two days following laser treatments before shaving, plucking, waxing or using hair removal creams in the area. In order for lasers to effectively destroy hair follicles in their telogen phase, so disruption to this process could compromise its efficacy.
If you’re taking a shower after your appointment, take a cold bath instead of a hot one to minimize blood flow to the surface of the skin and cause irritation and swelling in the treatment area. Gentle, unscented body washes should be used instead; loofahs or sponges should be avoided to avoid irritating the skin further.
Avoid applying harsh scrubs or exfoliating products on the treatment area as this could irritate and provoke an uncomfortable response from your skin. After 24 hours have passed, gentle exfoliators that do not contain harsh chemicals or perfumes should be used on this area to begin exfoliating again.
3. After the second day
Have you done your research about laser hair removal? If so, then you already know it’s an efficient and effective way of eliminating unwanted hair. The procedure works by firing intensely concentrated beams of light directly at your roots to destroy hair follicles permanently – while extremely safe it does pose certain considerations before scheduling an initial treatment session.
At least 24 hours should elapse between each laser hair removal session and showering or bathing afterward to allow your skin to recover fully and avoid hot water-induced skin irritation. You should also avoid using lotions, soaps or any cosmetics on the affected areas to ensure your skin does not become irritated during recovery time.
Avoid sun exposure on the treated area to reduce skin sensitivity after laser hair removal sessions, as prolonged sun exposure can make you extra susceptible and sensitive. If necessary, wear high SPF sunscreen protection when heading outside in the sun to protect from UV rays.
Care should also be taken when using skincare products on your body, such as makeup, soaps, and deodorant. They could irritate the skin and interfere with healing post-laser hair removal session. Furthermore, you should avoid any products with scents as these can aggravate skin inflammation further.
At first, other methods of hair removal such as waxing, tweezing and plucking may disrupt the newly destroyed follicles with additional treatments like waxing. Sunless tanning creams should also be avoided since they darken your skin; wait until its original tone returns before scheduling another laser hair removal appointment.
4. After the third day
After laser hair removal, your skin may feel bumpy and irritated – this is a normal side effect and should resolve as your treated skin heals. In the meantime, however, certain activities and products that could aggravate it are recommended, including hot showers, baths, and excessive exfoliation. Furthermore, strong fragranced soaps or bleaching agents should not be used; these could clog pores severely while vigorous scrubbing could irritate it further. It would also be wise not to scrub too vigorously as this could further irritate it further than necessary!
After laser hair removal, it’s recommended that the treatment area should remain unshaven for at least several days in order to protect the skin and speed the healing process. Also, other hair removal methods like waxing or plucking should not be attempted until redness, swelling and itching have subsided prior to trying these techniques.
Before your skin has fully recovered from laser treatment, all cosmetics should also be avoided for best results. This includes makeup, deodorant and lotions of any sort. In particular, self-tanners should be left until the time has come for their use to be administered again.
Within two to three weeks after laser hair removal, it is normal for the hair to start falling out as it is destroyed by laser treatment. To speed this process up and prevent further thinning out, exfoliate with a washcloth or mild scrub daily and reapply sunscreen of at least 30 SPF as often as needed – this will protect both outer layers of skin from harsh sun rays as well as prevent premature aging in this area.
5. After the fourth day
After receiving treatment, it is advised to limit skin irritation by taking only hot baths and showers and not exfoliating, which can cause severe skin inflammation and lead to clogged pores. Harsh chemical and perfumed soaps should also be avoided on treated skin; rather, gentle cleansers with limited scrubbing capabilities should be used instead.
After having laser hair removal done, you will notice a significant shedding of dead skin cells and old hairs for weeks after their follicles have been destroyed and the dead hair falls out. Maintaining proper moisture levels on the skin is key in aiding this process and relieving redness or itching; products without alpha-hydroxy acids would be best.
Before your appointment, it’s essential that you shave and remove all makeup, deodorant and other products that might linger on your skin, in order to ensure that the area will become sufficiently numb for treatment.
Avoid waxing or plucking hair in the treated area as this can damage skin cells and destroy hair follicles, and any other hair removal methods as these could burn and irritate skin further.
Finally, tanning should be avoided to minimize the risk of hypopigmentation and burns post-procedure. Instead, wear sun protection when going outside and use sunscreen on the area being treated.
