One of the major rules to remember when seeking laser hair removal is to avoid direct sunlight, in order to decrease hyper-pigmentation risk and other unwelcome skin conditions.
However, certain areas like the neck and face are constantly exposed to sunlight; therefore it’s imperative that they always use broad spectrum sunscreens.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen should be part of every beauty regimen, but its importance increases exponentially during laser hair removal treatments. Not only will sunscreen protect skin from UV rays which cause sunburn and permanent changes to complexion, but it will also prevent your treatment from being ineffective due to how sun’s UV rays disrupt timing sessions resulting in less effective outcomes.
Laser hair removal uses light energy to effectively destroy hair follicles and permanently stop their growth. As your skin will be particularly delicate during treatment, it is wise to limit sun exposure as much as possible before and during therapy sessions; additionally it would be prudent to wear broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF30+ rating that you reapply regularly.
Additionally, it is best to cover up as much skin as possible with clothing or an umbrella; using an SPF sunscreen with broad spectrum ingredients that is noncomedogenic is the best way to shield it from sun.
Prevent tanning before and after laser hair removal sessions to keep skin more sensitive, which could result in blisters or burns. If tanning must occur, we suggest selecting a high-quality sunless tanner without fragrances, dyes or chemical SPF additives as this will provide optimal results.
Even though extended sun exposure may not be a major worry for most, it’s still essential that they use sunscreen regularly throughout the year on areas that are continuously exposed, like their necks and faces. Also remember that UV rays from the sun can sneak past clouds, so sunscreen must always be applied even on cloudy days!
Avoiding the Sun
Avoid sun exposure before and after laser hair removal treatments as much as possible, however if necessary apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher as soon as you step outdoors to protect from burning and overpigmentation. Sunless tanning products should also be avoided due to their chemicals potentially reacting with laser heat.
Before receiving laser treatment, for six weeks prior to beginning it it is wise to refrain from plucking, waxing and shaving in the areas being treated. This allows the laser to detect more accurately where hair roots reside – essential for optimal results!
As part of your treatment, it is crucial that you inform your technician of any recent sun exposure or sunless tanning you may have undergone, as this can have an adverse impact on the result of laser hair removal treatments. If you have a dark tan and try using laser on that area of skin, picking up on melanin in hair follicles becomes challenging; to play it safe it would be prudent to wait until your tan fades completely before scheduling another laser appointment.
After receiving treatment, skin is particularly susceptible to sun damage and over-pigmentation can occur quickly when exposed too soon to UV rays. Therefore, it’s essential to apply SPF daily and reapply it periodically as well as wear a wide-brimmed shirt or hat while outdoors for extended periods.
Laser hair removal can be a fantastic way to eliminate unwanted hair permanently and show off the beautiful skin you have underneath, especially during summer when there is more opportunity than ever for showing it off. Lasers offer an alternative to more time-consuming methods like plucking and waxing and can result in smooth skin without the stubble caused by tweezers and razors.
Laser hair removal treatments can be safely conducted during summertime on many areas of the body, including underarms and bikini areas that are typically protected from direct sunlight by clothing. To make sure that laser hair removal is successful, it’s best to be honest with your practitioner about any sun exposure you’ve had, while always wearing broad spectrum sunscreen with at least 30 SPF rating.
During Treatment
Before beginning laser hair removal sessions, always apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or higher. In addition to applying SPF30+ sunscreen, it is also important to avoid plucking or waxing as this can damage hair follicles and cause them to grow back again. It is also wise to schedule appointments during a time without direct sunlight as direct sunlight can aggravate laser beam sensitivity in skin cells.
Your doctor may suggest using a bleaching cream to lighten your skin for two weeks prior to laser treatment, especially for people with darker complexions. Sunless tanning products that contain various chemicals that could react with laser’s heat and cause complications should also be avoided as these may react badly with its heat source and lead to complications during laser treatments.
Wear loose-fitting clothing during your treatment as it’s common for the area treated to swell afterward, which you can reduce with cold compresses and anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen. Once completed, however, avoid direct sunlight until healed by applying sunblock with SPF 30+ on the area being treated.
If you have additional sessions scheduled, it is wise to follow these same guidelines for avoiding sunlight before and after each one to help protect against your skin becoming hypersensitive to UV rays, potentially leading to hyperpigmentation or burning.
Laser hair removal sessions entail intense laser beams penetrating deeply into your skin to target melanin pigment and disable any hair follicles that produce unwanted hair, but melanin in tanned skin is more difficult for lasers to recognize, making treatment harder overall and potentially leading to burns or blisters on certain parts.
That is why it is crucial that you follow your doctor’s advice regarding sun protection before and after laser hair removal sessions, and never visit a spa or salon that allows nonmedical personnel to perform laser procedures on you – while they might seem cheaper at first glance, these facilities often lack the qualifications or experience to perform safe laser procedures on all types of skin types.
After Treatment
No matter if you are having laser hair removal done on your face, underarms, legs or back – protecting your skin from the sun is vital in order to prevent hyperpigmentation and other adverse side effects after laser treatment. It is recommended to stay out of direct sunlight for about two weeks following laser hair removal treatment sessions as well as using broad spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen daily on areas such as necks or faces which are constantly exposed.
Patients needing additional laser hair removal sessions should save these treatments for winter or other times when the sun’s rays are less intense to ensure optimal results from these procedures. Being careful to protect the skin ensures maximum success when undertaking laser hair removal treatments.
Apart from avoiding sunlight, other methods of hair removal such as shaving, plucking or waxing should also be avoided to ensure optimal laser targeting of hair follicles. You should also stop using any sunless tanning creams which darken skin tone further limiting laser targeting of hair follicles.
Limiting sun exposure following laser hair removal sessions is vital to maintaining good skin health and producing more appealing results from treatments. You should avoid swimming for 24-48 hours post-treatment to prevent irritation to sensitive areas like ocean water or pool water, which could potentially irritate and infected sensitive areas. With proper care and protection, however, your skin should heal well from laser hair removal without suffering side effects like hypopigmentation or blistering – making us the perfect dermatology practice to provide this service! If you want flawless and smooth skin then laser hair removal could be the way forward – contact us now so we can arrange an initial consultation appointment – we look forward to meeting you!
