How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal: 9 Dos and Don’ts (2024)
Hairless skin has been in style for centuries. Today’s hair removal practices are much faster and more convenient than those of earlier ages, but the goal is the same: smooth, attractive arms and legs, and perhaps more comfort.
Laser hair removal is one of the best ways today to remove unwanted hair. If this is your first time getting a laser hair removal treatment, find out how to prepare to avoid potential side effects and achieve the best results.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a cosmetic treatment in which the cosmetic provider uses a laser device to send beams of light to the patient’s hair follicles, targeting the pigment melanin in the hair. The light turns into heat, damaging the hair follicle and interrupting hair growth.
After several sessions, this hair removal method significantly slows down or even permanently stops hair growth.
How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is usually painless and safe, but some pre-treatment activities increase the chance of side effects. It is crucial to discuss potential risks with your chosen cosmetic provider before the procedure and find out how to prevent them.
Book a free session with Vibrant Skin Bar skin professionals to learn how to prepare for your laser hair removal treatment!
Below are the dos and don’ts before a laser procedure.
1.Clean Your Skin Before the Treatment
When you come to your chosen salon or medical spa for the treatment, make sure your treatment area (e.g., legs, underarms, bikini area) is clean. Lotions, dirt, and other impurities on the skin can lessen the effectiveness of the laser. Clean skin allows the laser to go directly to the hair follicle.
2.Stop Waxing or Plucking
Hair removal methods such as waxing and plucking pull the hair out from the root. If you wax or pluck your hair before a laser session, the laser device can’t target the hair pigment because the hair has been removed. Refrain from hair removal procedures that uproot the hair for six weeks before the laser treatment.
Note: Read how laser hair removal differs from waxing.
3.Shave the Treatment Area
Unlike waxing and plucking, shaving is a necessary step one or two days before a laser hair removal treatment. It doesn’t uproot the hair so the laser can target the hair pigment. At the same time, shaving gets rid of hair on the skin’s surface, decreasing the chances of getting burned by the laser.
4.Avoid Sun Exposure
Tanning increases the chance of laser burns because traditional lasers need a clear color contrast between the skin and hair to target the pigment in the hair successfully. If the skin is darker, the laser can mistakenly target the melanin in the skin instead of the hair. Avoid the beach and tanning beds for several weeks before the treatment.
You should also avoid using self-tanning lotions and sprays for at least two weeks before laser treatment so the laser can target the hair follicle instead of the tan skin. This also reduces the chance of burning the skin.
5. Use Medications with Caution
Some medications interfere with the laser hair removal procedure because they make the skin more sensitive and increase the chance of side effects. These include:
Blood-thinners
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Antibiotics
Topical products with retinol
Acne products
Hormone treatments
If you use any of the above-listed medications, consult your doctor about potential risks before you undergo a laser hair removal treatment.
Note: Find out if laser hair removal is safe during pregnancy.
6.Use Skin Products Carefully
Consult your cosmetic provider about which products are safe to use before laser hair removal. Some ingredients in skincare products can make the skin more vulnerable to pain and increase the chance of discoloration, redness, and other side effects.
Your cosmetic provider may recommend discontinuing these skincare products for a week or two before the treatment:
AHA/BHA exfoliating creams
Products with retinol or retinal
Products with benzoyl peroxide
Products that dry out the skin
To be safe, use only gentle cleansers and mild moisturizers for several days before your laser hair removal appointment.
7.Avoid Alcohol
Don’t drink alcohol in excess 24 hours before laser hair removal because it dehydrates the skin, making the procedure more painful.
8.Refrain from Drinking Coffee
Avoid coffee for at least several hours before your laser treatment. Coffee makes the skin more sensitive and may increase discomfort or pain, just like alcohol.
9.Avoid Laser Hair Removal After Botox and Dermal Fillers
Wait two weeks after your Botox or dermal filler treatment to have a laser hair removal procedure. If the injectables haven’t settled, the laser treatment can disrupt the cosmetic treatment’s effects and cause swelling and redness.
Conclusion
Laser hair removal is a popular treatment because it provides long-lasting or, in some cases, permanent results. It causes minimal pain and side effects if you prepare for the treatment as advised by your cosmetic provider.
Follow the Vibrant Skin Bar experts’ guidelines for laser hair removal best practices to ensure a safe treatment and smooth, hairless skin.
The area of treatment should be shaved at least 12 hours prior to treatment. Wear loose-fitting clothes on the day. Avoid alcohol or smoking the night before and on the day of the treatment. Drink at least 1 litre of water the day before and the day of treatment - this helps your body to regulate its temperature.
The area of treatment should be shaved at least 12 hours prior to treatment. Wear loose-fitting clothes on the day. Avoid alcohol or smoking the night before and on the day of the treatment. Drink at least 1 litre of water the day before and the day of treatment - this helps your body to regulate its temperature.
After the course is complete, the treated area will feel smooth with a permanent reduction in hair growth. Typically we recommend a minimum of 6 laser treatments for women and 8 for men. So you can expect to complete your course after 6-9 months.
You should shave within 24 hours of your scheduled laser appointment. Your laser technician cannot treat areas that have hair above the skin. You cannot even receive treatment if there is rough stubble because this may create too much heat for the pigment of your skin.
Dry skin during laser hair treatment can lead to itchy, irritated skin. This is another reason why you should leave 24 hours between shaving and your appointment, and you should also take care to use shaving cream or shaving gel to keep the skin on the treatment area moisturised.
Take a shower right before your appointment and clean the treatment area, making sure to remove dirt and oil from the skin. Avoid using any skincare products (including moisturizer) after you cleanse. Avoid lotions, oils, and deodorants prior to treatment. Arrive to your appointment with clean, dry skin.
Rarely, laser hair removal can cause blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin texture. Other rare side effects include graying of treated hair or excessive hair growth around treated areas, particularly on darker skin.
Moisturise: Keep your skin hydrated with a high-quality, fragrance-free moisturiser. This makes it easier for the shedding hair to push through the skin. Avoid hair removal methods: Resist the temptation to use tweezers, wax, or other hair removal methods on the treated area.
' Yes, it is safe to laser the pubic area for most patients. It should be noted that this is one of the more sensitive areas when it comes to laser hair removal, but it is quick and effective. Many patients also believe it is overall less painful than waxing.
Laser hair removal regrowth is usually down to hairs that were in the catagen or dormant phase at the time of the treatment. That's why we always recommend a course of treatments as this increases the number of hairs that get targeted during the active phase.
Hairs begin to fall out in 5-14 days and may continue to do so for weeks. Hairs may be more rapidly removed by rubbing, scrubbing, or plucking (with no discomfort after 5 days) if one desires to speed up this part of the process. It is not necessary to do so.
Your Laser Technician will not be able to go over areas with hair that's above the skin. They can't even go over areas with hair that has a rough stubble because it damages the laser and increases the chances of getting burned/pigmented, as well as makes the laser treatment hurt more.
If the hair is long, this can lead to the laser burning the skin because it traveled the length of the hair and attacks the closest source of melanin. In this case, the skin. However, if the hair is short enough, it will only target the hair until it reaches the root of the follicle.
It is important to shave before your laser hair removal appointment, 24 hours before is recommended. Shaving on the day of your session can be dangerous and should be avoided completely. This is because when you shave the razor may lift a layer of skin off as it passes over your skin.
If the skin is sunburned or tanned, you may need to reschedule your appointment so your melanin levels can be restored to their natural state. The best way to ensure your laser hair removal treatment is effective is to shave the area 12 hours before your appointment.
When you're getting ready for your laser hair removal procedure, make sure you shave the night before or the morning of your treatment. The reason for this precaution is simple – you want to remove as much hair as possible so that it doesn't absorb most of the laser's energy.
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