what to expect after your first laser hair removal session

April 08, 2022 Post a Comment

Tips: What To Do Before And Afterward Laser Hair Removal

before and after laser hair removal

Originally published on Baronial three, 2017. Updated March 2, 2021 to include additional information

In recent years laser pilus removal has grown to become one of the most popular hair removal techniques. Advancements in laser-based technologies have fabricated the procedure a safer and better alternative to electrolysis.

Any laser-based treatment has the potential to yield undesired results. Mutual side effects of laser pilus removal are swelling, redness, or irritation of the skin. All of which typically resolve on their own overtime without farther intervention.

Laser hair removal is non a permanent hair removal solution, but with proper preparation results tin can last for years. Hair that does grow back will return thinner and more sparsely. To maximize your results, and limit whatever unwanted side effects, read through the following helpful tips on what to exercise before, during and afterwards your handling.

Earlier Laser Hair Removal

Your light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation hair removal engagement volition begin with a consultation. This office visit can last anywhere from x-20 minutes. During this time, your doctor will review your medical history, discuss your goals with you, and explain how the treatment works.

Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation hair removal is nearly successful for those with light skin and dark hair because this contrast helps the light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation 'see' your hair. This doesn't mean y'all can't receive treatment if you take blond pilus or night skin. During your consultation, your md volition assistance you weigh the take chances versus benefits for your peel and pilus type.

When you're ready to begin treatment, the post-obit pointers will help maximize your results. Of course, follow your doctor's advice if it differs from these guidelines.

Ever go for an in-person consultation with your provider before committing to a treatment. An experienced provider volition be able to assess your candidacy and estimate the number of treatments you may need
During your consultation discuss the types of medications you are currently taking. Some prescriptions can cause photosensitivity, which tin can lead to burns.
Stop using skincare products with strong ingredients like retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroxy acrid, and benzoyl peroxide.
Your handling will be more than successful if your legs are pale. Greater dissimilarity between your skin and hair follicles yields better results. Schedule your treatment for the fall or winter, or avoid all forms of tanning (i.east. tanning from the natural sun, tanning beds, spray tans, and self-tanning products) for 6 weeks prior to your treatment. Laser treatments on tanned skin can result in long-term pigmentation issues.
Avoid plucking, waxing, or bleaching your pilus for 6 weeks prior to your date every bit plucking out hair by the root volition decrease the effectiveness of your laser handling.
Shave the twenty-four hour period before your treatment (as directed past your provider). Shaving encourages the hair follicle to enter its active growing phase which is the ideal stage for laser targeting. Within 24 hours of your date, shave the area(s) to be treated. Do non wax or pluck. Shaving removes longer hairs while keeping the root intact. It's the root of the pilus the laser targets, and then the root must exist present for your treatment to work best.
Take a shower right before your engagement and clean the treatment area, making sure to remove dirt and oil from the skin. Avoid using any skincare products (including moisturizer) after y'all cleanse.
Avoid lotions, oils, and deodorants prior to treatment. Get in to your date with clean, dry out skin. Moisturizers, creams, lotions, or oils tin prevent the light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation from accessing the root, as can sweat or other debris. If you are treating your underarms, avoid wearing deodorant until after your appointment.
Follow your md's orders and discontinue claret thinners, such equally aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications, or antibiotics prior to your treatment. If you've taken whatever new medications since your consultation, let your doctor know.
At least two weeks prior to your appointment, refrain from Botox and dermal fillers. Besides, avoid whatsoever treatments that increase pare sensitivity such as microdermabrasion or chemical peels. In the week prior to your handling, discontinue using products that crusade photosensitivity.

During Your Laser Hair Removal Handling

During your laser hair removal date, your md or technician will review with you the expanse(due south) to be treated. If you're treating a bikini line or facial area, the technician may depict a line on your skin to indicate the treatment purlieus.

The handling area volition be cleansed and prepared while your technician reminds you what to expect. Everyone experiences the awareness of laser pilus removal differently. Most depict the feeling as similar to a safety band being snapped confronting your skin. Your doctor may prepare the area with a numbing cream if pain is an issue for you.

While areas undergoing treatment must be exposed, all other areas of your trunk volition be covered with your clothing or strategically placed sheets, similar to a massage. During handling, anybody in the room will wearable protective eye-wear, including you. This does not mean you won't see flashes of the low-cal, but yous tin rest assured your optics are protected.

After Laser Hair Removal

The most common, yet short-lived, side issue of light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation hair removal is swelling and redness in the handling expanse. For the get-go few hours, y'all might fifty-fifty feel like you lot have a balmy sunburn. Swelling and redness should subside inside i-3 days. During this fourth dimension, it's safe to use aloe vera or topical cooling creams to reduce discomfort.

Your hair will not fall out immediately during treatment, but slowly over the following few weeks. Because each of our hair follicles are on divide growth cycles, it's normal to experience some patchy re-growth. These areas will exist treated at follow-up visits, until regrowth has been eliminated.

Make sure to follow these tips post-obit your laser pilus removal handling session:

Attend whatever scheduled follow-upwardly or maintenance treatments as directed past your provider in a timely manner
Avoid the dominicus (and tanning beds) and wearable a high-quality sunscreen every bit UV exposure tin can irritate the treated peel and complicate the hair removal process.
For the first 24-hours later on your appointment, avert all types of oestrus. Hot showers or baths, saunas, steam rooms, and exercise can lead to discoloration or infection. Later 24 hours, it'south ok to return to the gym, but continue to avert the sun for upwards to ii weeks. UV calorie-free, including that from tanning beds, can pb to scarring or permanent pigmentation.
"Sun-less" tanning options similar spray tans or self-tanning products can be used between treatment sessions as long as their utilise is discontinued 2 weeks prior to your side by side treatment.
Go on to shave, instead of plucking, tweezing, or waxing, if y'all need to remove hair between treatments
Gently exfoliate the treated peel ii-3 times per week using a loofah or washcloth. This minimizes the chance of developing ingrown hairs.
Go along the retinoids and hydroxy acids on hold for up to one week subsequently your handling. Instead, use a gentle cleanser and soothing, moisturizing lotion. Wait at least two weeks earlier scheduling microdermabrasion, chemical peels, Botox or dermal fillers.
Have 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 Handling Session

You'll need between 2-6 appointments to achieve your final results. Typically, areas of quick pilus growth, such as the upper lip, volition require repeat appointments every four-8 weeks. In areas where hair grows slowly, such as the back, appointments may be spaced every 12-16 weeks.

Scheduling your full handling series ahead of time tin can help you lot better prepare for each date, and you lot'll reap the best results.

Erin Foster is a licensed aesthetician experienced in analyzing and determining which treatments are best for each individual client'south needs. She has diverse cognition in skin care products and ingredients. Erin specializes in light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation pilus removal, IPL, V-Axle, chemic peels, HydraFacials, Cooltouch, and microdermabrasion.