Successful Laser Hair Removal Session
Waxing, threading, plucking, shaving – every month we spend so much time on just these grooming needs. According to a survey done by the British beauty brand Escentual, women spend an average of 72 days shaving their legs over the course of a lifetime, which is approximately 1,728 hours.
That’s not to mention the countless cuts, scratches, ingrown hair, and bumps one has to endure after these exhausting grooming sessions. This is the reason why, in recent times, more and more women are looking for permanent hair loss solutions like Laser Hair Removal.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a permanent hair removal solution that treats the problem of unwanted hair at its roots, quite literally! Using targeted lasers, the treatment kills hair follicles without damaging the skin. It works by sending concentrated beams of light to the hair follicles which target the melanin in the hair. The light turns into heat and damages the hair follicles, thereby interrupting hair growth.
Laser hair removal is the only method that has been shown to significantly slow down or even permanently stop hair growth after several sessions. It has been proven to be effective for a whopping 90% of people, meaning that most people experience hair loss with 3-6 sessions.
Despite gaining a lot of popularity in recent times, there is still a lot of mystery and misinformation circulating around this procedure which makes it difficult for people to opt for this treatment with ease of mind. So, if you’ve booked a laser hair removal session and are bogged down by the idea of what exactly you need to do before you go for your appointment, let us help you out!
Here are some of the dos and don’ts you need to be mindful of before your laser procedure.
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Have squeaky, clean skin
Before you go for your laser hair removal appointment, you need to make sure that your treatment area like legs, underarms, etc. is clean. Lotions, dirt, and other impurities on the skin can hamper the effectiveness of the laser. Clean skin allows the laser to effectively reach the end of the hair follicles.
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Say no waxing or plucking
Hair removal methods like waxing and plucking pull the hair from the root. If you wax or pluck your hair before a laser session, the laser device can’t target the hair pigment as the entire hair follicle has been removed. Make sure you’re ditching waxing and plucking at least six weeks before the laser treatment.
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Shave the treatment area
Unlike waxing or plucking, shaving is a necessary step one or two days before your laser sessions. This is because shaving doesn’t uproot the hair so the laser can target the pigment. At the same time, shaving also gets rid of the hair on the skin’s surface, eliminating the chances of getting burned by the laser.
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Stay out of the sun
Tanning increases the chances of laser burns as the traditional laser requires a clear color contrast between the skin and hair to target the melanin in the hair successfully. Avoid the bleach and tanning beds for several weeks before the treatment. You should also avoid the sun as much as you can for a few weeks before the treatment as laser can’t work well on sunburned skin. So, either slather yourself in the sunscreen before stepping out in the sun or stick to the shade.
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Be mindful of your medications
Some medications can interfere with the laser hair removal treatment as they can make the skin more sensitive and therefore increase the chances of developing side effects. These medications include:
- Blood thinners
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Antibiotics
- Topical products with retinol
- Acne products
- Hormone treatments
If you are on any of these medications, it would be highly advisable to consult your doctor about the potential risks before you undergo a laser hair removal treatment.
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Use your skin products carefully
Certain skin products can make the skin sensitive. Therefore, you should consult your doctor or service provider about which products are safe to use before laser hair removal. Some ingredients in skin care can make the skin more vulnerable to pain and increase the chance of discoloration, redness, and other side effects. As a general rule of thumb, you should be avoiding the following skincare products for a week or two before the treatment:
- AHA/BHA exfoliants
- Products with retinol or retinal
- Products with benzoyl peroxide
- Products that dry out the skin
To be on the safer side of things, you should use gentle cleansers and mild moisturizers for several days before your laser hair removal appointment.
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Stay away from Alcohol
Alcohol dehydrates the body which can leave your skin dry and sensitive making the procedure more painful for you to endure. Hence, it’s advised to ditch alcohol at least 24 hours before your laser appointment.
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Refrain from drinking coffee
Avoid coffee for at least several hours before your laser sessions. Coffee makes the skin more sensitive and may increase discomfort or pain just like alcohol.
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Avoid Laser hair removal after Botox or Dermal Fillers
You should wait for two weeks after your botox or dermal filler treatment to have a laser hair removal session. If the injectables haven’t settled in, the laser treatment can disrupt their effect and cause swelling and redness.
Conclusion
Laser hair removal as a concept might seem intimidating at first. But as you ease into the idea, you’ll realize just how easy and invaluable this procedure can be. The only time when it can raise concerns and create skin issues like pigment changes, scarring, or blistering is when it’s performed incorrectly by inexperienced professionals.
At Alive Wellness Clinics, we boast 25+ years of expertise in laser hair removal treatments. Our team of expert dermatologists and experienced professionals ensures the best-in-class laser hair removal service with holistic aftercare to make sure that your journey to smooth, hair-less skin is as comfortable as possible. So, book an appointment now, and get smooth, flawless skin today!
