One of the most widely used hair removal methods in recent years has been laser hair removal. It is now a safer and more effective procedure than electrolysis thanks to developments in laser-based technologies.

Any laser-based procedure has the potential to have unfavorable outcomes. Skin irritation, redness, and swelling are frequent side effects of laser hair removal. All of these typically resolve over time on their own, without additional help.

Although laser hair removal is not a permanent hair removal method, results can last for years with the right preparation. When hair does grow back, it will do so with less density. The following advice on what to do before, during, and after your treatment, as well as how to get the most out of your laser hair removal, will help you to maximize your results and minimize any undesirable side effects.

Before Laser Hair Removal

A consultation will be held prior to your laser hair removal appointment. This appointment may take ten to twenty minutes. Your doctor will go over your medical history, talk with you about your goals, and go over how the treatment operates during this time.

Given that the contrast between light skin and dark hair makes it easier for the laser to “see” your hair, laser hair removal works best on people with light skin and dark hair. This is not to say that if you have dark skin or blonde hair, you cannot receive treatment. Your physician will assist you in evaluating the benefits and risks for your skin and hair type during your consultation.

The following advice will help you achieve your goals once you’re ready to start therapy. If your doctor’s advice deviates from this advice, of course, you should heed it.

• Prior to beginning treatment, always schedule an in-person consultation with your provider. An experienced provider will be able to assess your candidacy and estimate the number of treatments you may need
• Talk about the types of medications you are currently taking during your consultation. Burns may result from certain prescription drugs’ ability to make people photosensitive.
• Retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroxy acid, and benzoyl peroxide are some examples of strong ingredients in skincare products that should be avoided.
• If your legs are pale, your treatment will go more smoothly. Results are improved by a greater contrast between your skin and hair follicles. Make an appointment for your procedure during the fall or winter, or refrain from any type of tanning (e.g. tanning from the natural sun, tanning beds, spray tans, and self-tanning products) for 6 weeks prior to your treatment. Long-term pigmentation issues can arise from laser treatments on tanned skin.
• Six weeks before your appointment, refrain from waxing, bleaching, or plucking your hair because doing so will lessen the effectiveness of your laser treatment.
• Shave the day before your appointment (or as your provider instructs). Laser-targeting is most effective when the hair follicle is in its active growing stage, which is induced by shaving. Shave the area(s) that will be treated no later than 24 hours before your appointment. Shaving eliminates longer hairs while preserving the root; do not wax or pluck. The laser targets the hair’s root, so for your treatment to be effective, the root must be present.
• Before your appointment, take a shower and clean the treatment area, making sure to get rid of any oil or dirt on the skin. After cleansing, refrain from using any skincare products, including moisturizer.
• Before receiving treatment, stay away from deodorants, oils, and lotions. Bring dry, clean skin to your appointment. Sweat or other debris, as well as moisturizers, creams, lotions, or oils, may prevent the laser from reaching the root. Wear deodorant only after your appointment if you are having your underarms treated.
• Don’t take blood thinners like aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, or antibiotics before receiving treatment; instead, follow your doctor’s advice. Tell your doctor if you’ve started taking any new medications since your appointment.
• Avoid Botox and dermal fillers at least two weeks before your appointment. Additionally, stay away from procedures like microdermabrasion and chemical peels that make your skin more sensitive. Stop using photosensitive products the week before your treatment.

During Your Laser Hair Removal Treatment

Your physician or the laser hair removal technician will discuss the treatment area(s) with you during your appointment. The technician may mark the treatment boundary on your skin with a line if they are treating your bikini line or facial area.

While your technician goes over what to expect, the treatment area will be cleaned and ready. Different people react differently to laser hair removal. A rubber band being snapped against your skin is how most people describe the sensation. If you have pain issues, your doctor might prepare the area with a numbing cream.

All other parts of your body will be covered, much like a massage, with the exception of the areas receiving treatment, which must be exposed. Everyone in the room will wear safety glasses while you receive treatment, including you. Even though you might still see light flashes, you can rest easy knowing that your eyes are safe.

After Laser Hair Removal

The most frequent but transient side effects of laser hair removal are redness and swelling in the treatment area. You might even experience some initial mild sunburn-like symptoms. Within 1-3 days, swelling and redness should go away. The use of aloe vera or topical cooling creams to ease discomfort during this period is safe.

During treatment, you won’t lose all of your hair at once; instead, it will happen gradually over the coming weeks. Because each of our hair follicles has a different growth cycle, some patchy regrowth is common. At subsequent appointments, these areas will be treated in order to completely eradicate regrowth.

Make sure to follow these tips following your laser hair removal treatment session:

• Attend any scheduled follow-up or maintenance treatments as directed by your provider in a timely manner
• UV exposure can irritate the treated skin and make the hair removal process more difficult, so avoid the sun (and tanning beds) and use high-quality sunscreen.
• Avoid all forms of heat for the first 24 hours after your appointment. Exercise, hot baths or showers, saunas, steam rooms, and other similar facilities can cause infection or discoloration. It’s safe to go back to the gym after 24 hours, but for another two weeks, stay out of the sun. Scarring or permanent pigmentation may result from exposure to UV light, including that from tanning beds.
• “Sun-less” tanning options like spray tans or self-tanning products can be used between treatment sessions as long as their use is discontinued 2 weeks prior to your next treatment.
• Continue to shave, instead of plucking, tweezing, or waxing, if you need to remove hair between treatments
• Utilize a loofah or washcloth to gently exfoliate the treated skin two to three times per week. Ingrown hair risk is decreased as a result.
• A week after your treatment, you should stop using retinoids and hydroxy acids. Use a soft cleanser and calming, hydrating lotion instead. Scheduling microdermabrasion, chemical peels, Botox, or dermal fillers should be done at least two weeks in advance.
• Take lukewarm showers for the first week after your treatment
• Avoid using perfumes or deodorants for 48 hours after your treatment

When to Schedule Your Next Treatment Session

To get your desired results, you’ll need two to six appointments. Recurring appointments are typically needed every 4 to 8 weeks for areas with rapid hair growth, like the upper lip. Appointments may be spaced every 12 to 16 weeks in areas like the back where hair grows slowly.

You can prepare more effectively for each appointment and get the best results if you schedule your entire treatment course in advance.

4 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a fantastic method for permanently getting rid of unwanted body hair. Any dark, coarse hair on your face, arms, underarms, legs, pubic area, etc. can be removed with this kind of treatment. The hair follicles are burned during laser hair removal. This results in the permanent hair removal that many people want by stopping the hair from growing back after a number of treatments. You want your laser hair removal procedures to be as effective as they possibly can be. The good news is that you can influence this by taking certain actions. Here are 4 excellent suggestions for making the most of your laser hair removal.

Don’t Miss a Treatment

Appointments for laser hair removal are planned according to the cycles of your hair growth. Some hair follicles produce hair during each cycle of hair growth. Only hair follicles that are actively producing hair at that specific stage of their growth cycle can be targeted by the laser. Your appointments are typically spaced roughly a month apart as a result. A full growth cycle would be lost if you skipped one of these treatments. This could significantly delay the start of your treatments and lengthen the hair removal procedure.

Avoid Tweezing Or Waxing

It’s crucial that this hair follicle is present because the laser actually burns it. The hair follicle would be removed if any of the hairs you intend to remove were to be tweezed or waxed. You can guarantee that all hair follicles are present by refraining from waxing or tweezing several weeks before your laser hair removal treatments start. The follicle is left intact and the hair is simply cut to the skin’s surface when you shave, so this doesn’t mean you can’t still do it.

Shave the Day before a Treatment

It is a good idea to shave the day prior to your laser hair removal procedure. For a few different reasons, this may be effective. One benefit is that there is less hair left above the skin’s surface, which facilitates the laser’s access to your hair follicles. It is also a great way to lessen the discomfort that the laser causes. This is because less hair needs to be effectively burned off, which lessens the discomfort from the laser. Aloe vera can be very beneficial in relieving skin pain, even if you do continue to experience it.

Limit Your Sun Exposure

You should avoid the sun as much as possible both before and after laser hair removal treatments. Your skin may become more sensitive if it has been burned by the sun. As a result of the laser treatment, your skin will become slightly more sensitive, and it’s possible that sunburn will actually cause blisters on your skin. Additionally to being painful, this can make it necessary for you to miss treatments while your skin heals properly from the sunburn.

When done properly, laser hair removal is a procedure that is efficient and can give you fantastic results. In order to get the most out of your treatment, it’s crucial that you attend all of your appointments, refrain from plucking or waxing any of the hairs being removed by a laser, shave the day before an appointment, and limit your exposure to the sun both before and during your sessions.