Can I Use Skin Care Before Laser Treatment

Tips: What To Exercise Before And After Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation Hair Removal

before and after laser hair removal

Originally published on August 3, 2017. Updated March 2, 2021 to include additional data

In recent years light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation hair removal has grown to go one of the almost pop hair removal techniques. Advancements in light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation-based technologies have fabricated the procedure a safer and better alternative to electrolysis.

Any light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation-based handling has the potential to yield undesired results. Common side effects of laser hair removal are swelling, redness, or irritation of the skin. All of which typically resolve on their own overtime without further intervention.

Laser hair removal is not a permanent hair removal solution, just with proper preparation results tin last for years. Hair that does grow back will render thinner and more sparsely. To maximize your results, and limit any unwanted side effects, read through the following helpful tips on what to do earlier, during and subsequently your treatment.

Earlier Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation Hair Removal

Your laser hair removal appointment volition begin with a consultation. This office visit can last anywhere from 10-20 minutes. During this time, your md will review your medical history, discuss your goals with you lot, and explicate how the handling works.

Laser pilus removal is about successful for those with light skin and dark hair because this contrast helps the laser 'see' your pilus. This doesn't hateful you can't receive treatment if you lot take blond hair or nighttime skin. During your consultation, your doctor will assistance you weigh the risk versus benefits for your skin and hair blazon.

When you're fix to begin handling, the following pointers will assist maximize your results. Of grade, follow your doctor'southward 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 y'all may demand
During your consultation hash out the types of medications yous are currently taking. Some prescriptions can cause photosensitivity, which can lead to burns.
Finish using skincare products with potent ingredients similar retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroxy acid, and benzoyl peroxide.
Your handling will be more successful if your legs are pale. Greater contrast between your skin and hair follicles yields amend results. Schedule your treatment for the fall or winter, or avert all forms of tanning (i.due east. tanning from the natural sun, tanning beds, spray tans, and cocky-tanning products) for 6 weeks prior to your treatment. Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation treatments on tanned peel can result in long-term pigmentation problems.
Avoid plucking, waxing, or bleaching your pilus for 6 weeks prior to your date as plucking out pilus by the root volition decrease the effectiveness of your laser treatment.
Shave the solar day before your treatment (as directed by your provider). Shaving encourages the hair follicle to enter its agile growing stage which is the platonic stage for laser targeting. Within 24 hours of your appointment, shave the area(southward) to be treated. Practise not wax or pluck. Shaving removes longer hairs while keeping the root intact. It'southward the root of the pilus the laser targets, and so the root must exist present for your treatment to work best.
Have a shower right before your date and clean the treatment area, making sure to remove dirt and oil from the skin. Avoid using whatever skincare products (including moisturizer) later you cleanse.
Avoid lotions, oils, and deodorants prior to handling. Arrive to your engagement with clean, dry skin. Moisturizers, creams, lotions, or oils tin can prevent the light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation from accessing the root, every bit can sweat or other debris. If yous are treating your underarms, avoid wearing deodorant until later your appointment.
Follow your doctor'south orders and discontinue blood thinners, such every bit aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications, or antibiotics prior to your treatment. If you've taken whatsoever new medications since your consultation, let your dr. know.
At to the lowest degree 2 weeks prior to your date, refrain from Botox and dermal fillers. Also, avoid whatever treatments that increase skin sensitivity such every bit microdermabrasion or chemical peels. In the week prior to your treatment, discontinue using products that cause photosensitivity.

During Your Laser Hair Removal Treatment

During your light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation hair removal appointment, your doctor or technician volition review with you the area(s) to be treated. If you're treating a bikini line or facial surface area, the technician may draw a line on your skin to betoken the treatment boundary.

The treatment area will exist apple-pie and prepared while your technician reminds you what to look. Anybody experiences the sensation of laser hair removal differently. Virtually depict the feeling every bit similar to a rubber band being snapped against your skin. Your medico may gear up the area with a numbing cream if hurting is an issue for you.

While areas undergoing treatment must be exposed, all other areas of your body volition be covered with your clothing or strategically placed sheets, similar to a massage. During treatment, anybody in the room volition wear protective middle-wear, including you. This does not mean you won't encounter flashes of the low-cal, but yous can rest assured your eyes are protected.

Subsequently Laser Pilus Removal

The almost common, yet short-lived, side effect of laser pilus removal is swelling and redness in the handling area. For the first few hours, you might even feel like you have a mild sunburn. Swelling and redness should subside inside 1-three days. During this time, it's safe to use aloe vera or topical cooling creams to reduce discomfort.

Your hair volition not autumn out immediately during treatment, just slowly over the post-obit few weeks. Because each of our hair follicles are on separate growth cycles, information technology'south normal to feel some patchy re-growth. These areas will be treated at follow-upwardly visits, until regrowth has been eliminated.

Make sure to follow these tips post-obit your laser hair removal treatment session:

Attend any scheduled follow-upward or maintenance treatments as directed by your provider in a timely fashion
Avoid the sun (and tanning beds) and vesture a high-quality sunscreen equally UV exposure can irritate the treated skin and complicate the hair removal procedure.
For the beginning 24-hours after your appointment, avoid all types of heat. Hot showers or baths, saunas, steam rooms, and exercise tin can atomic number 82 to discoloration or infection. After 24 hours, it'due south ok to return to the gym, just go along to avoid the sun for up to two weeks. UV light, including that from tanning beds, can lead to scarring or permanent pigmentation.
"Sun-less" tanning options like spray tans or self-tanning products tin be used between treatment sessions as long as their use is discontinued ii weeks prior to your next treatment.
Continue to shave, instead of plucking, tweezing, or waxing, if you need to remove hair between treatments
Gently exfoliate the treated skin 2-3 times per week using a loofah or washcloth. This minimizes the gamble of developing ingrown hairs.
Keep the retinoids and hydroxy acids on concur for up to one week after your treatment. Instead, use a gentle cleanser and soothing, moisturizing balm. Expect at to the lowest degree two weeks before scheduling microdermabrasion, chemical peels, Botox or dermal fillers.
Take lukewarm showers for the first calendar week after your treatment
Avert using perfumes or deodorants for 48 hours afterwards your handling

When To Schedule Your Next Treatment Session

You'll need between 2-half-dozen appointments to attain your final results. Typically, areas of quick hair growth, such as the upper lip, volition require repeat appointments every 4-eight weeks. In areas where hair grows slowly, such as the back, appointments may be spaced every 12-16 weeks.

Scheduling your full treatment series ahead of time can assist you better gear up for each appointment, and you'll reap the best results.

Erin Foster is a licensed aesthetician experienced in analyzing and determining which treatments are best for each individual client's needs. She has diverse cognition in skin care products and ingredients. Erin specializes in laser hair removal, IPL, V-Axle, chemical peels, HydraFacials, Cooltouch, and microdermabrasion.