Laser is an effective method to eliminate unwanted body hair for good. But to see successful results, preparing for laser hair removal should be part of the treatment plan.
In this post, we will discuss what you need to do before, during, and after a laser hair removal session in North Hollywood. Read on to ensure the efficacy of your treatment.
What to do before laser hair removal
Prepping your skin before your laser hair removal appointment is crucial in getting results and avoiding potential side effects.
If you’re wondering how to prepare for laser hair removal, below is a quick guide for you:
1. Consider your medical history
Before getting a laser hair removal treatment, it’s essential to assess your medical history.
Areas with keloids shouldn’t be treated with laser because these scars don’t heal properly and are susceptible to damage.
Aside from that, individuals with burns and a history of hemorrhaging shouldn’t receive laser hair removal treatments.
And if you’re taking anticoagulants, photo-sensitizing drugs, or any medication, you must report it to your laser provider before starting the treatment.
2. Limit sun exposure
At least two weeks before your treatment, you should stay out of the sun. Similarly, you should steer clear of tanning beds because they make your skin more sensitive to heat.
If your skin is sun-damaged or exposed to UV rays, it will be prone to burns, hyperpigmentation, and scarring.
If you can’t avoid sun exposure, make sure you lather up with broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF50 coverage.
3. Don't wax or tweeze the treatment area
Contrary to wrong beliefs, tweezing or waxing will not help you save money just because you’ll have less hair during the treatment.
In fact, waxing or tweezing is counterproductive because the laser targets the pigment in the hair. If no hair is present due to plucking, the laser treatment will not be effective. You’ll end up growing the waxed hair in the treatment area after a few days.
Make sure that you schedule your laser hair removal appointment at least four weeks after your last waxing or tweezing session.
4. Shave the treatment area
While waxing and tweezing are discouraged, going for a shave before laser hair removal is totally fine. With shaving, you’re only trimming the external length of the hair while keeping the internal strands intact.
This means that the laser can still effectively target the pigments and neutralize your hair follicles.
Also, laser specialists will recommend that you shave the treatment area before the session. It’s because overgrown hair will block the laser from getting into the hair follicles. Instead, the laser will target the top layer of the skin, which leads to burns.
5. Stop bleaching your hair
You must stop bleaching your hair for at least six weeks as part of laser hair removal preparation.
Laser hair removal works by targeting dark pigments that will absorb the laser and convert it to heat. The heat will then neutralize the hair follicles for permanent hair removal.
If your hair is already bleached, you must wait until the roots grow their natural color. As mentioned, this will take a minimum of six weeks or longer for some individuals.
6. Arrive with a clean skin
On the day of your appointment, you should keep your skin clear of any makeup, tanning treatments, deodorant, cream, oil, and other similar products.
Aside from that, you should try exfoliating the treatment area to remove any residue from the product you applied.
If you had applied it earlier that day, you can wash it or ask the laser specialist for a wipe to clean your skin.
7. Wear loose clothing
During your appointment, you must wear loose and breathable clothes. A tight wardrobe will rub on your skin and cause irritation after the treatment.
This is especially critical if you’re getting bikini laser hair removal or Brazilian laser hair removal in North Hollywood.
You’d have to wear breathable clothes for a few days after the treatment until the skin redness subsides.
What to expect during your laser hair removal appointment
Here at Pure Skin Laser Center, a laser appointment can take anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the treatment area. The larger the area, the longer the duration will be.
In terms of the process, here’s what goes once you enter our medical spa center in North Hollywood:
- Preparation. Before the actual procedure, our specialist will check your skin. We will also adjust the laser setting of our equipment to match your skin and hair type.
- Cleaning. Next, our licensed specialist will clean the area and give it a quick shave if necessary. We will also ask you to wear protective eyewear to shield your eyes against the laser beams.
- Laser application. Once everything is all set, we will start applying the laser to the treatment area. You should expect a snapping sensation, which is somewhat similar to a rubber band being snapped on your skin.
- Cooling. After each laser pulse, we cool your skin using the Candela GentleMax Pro cooling system. This helps reduce the swelling and redness after the procedure.
After the treatment, you can be given an anti-inflammatory cream, lotion, or ice pack to reduce discomfort.
Take note that mild side effects like swelling, redness, and tenderness in the treated area are expected. This will subside after a day or two with proper aftercare.
What to do after laser hair removal
Your road to hair-free skin doesn’t end after you leave the clinic. Post-treatment care is also necessary to prevent skin irritation and alleviate your discomfort.
Here are some of the things you need to keep in mind:
Don't use skin products for 24 hours.
For the first 24 hours after the procedure, don’t use deodorants, lotions, moisturizers, and other similar products on the treated area.
Wait until the swelling and redness subside before resuming your regular skincare routine. It’s because the product could aggravate your already-irritated skin.
Clean the treated area gently.
It’s important to wash the treated area using gentle soap and water. Also, you should pat it dry in the next 48 hours and avoid rubbing it with any fabric.
Aside from that, you must avoid hot baths and showers since your treated skin is heat-sensitive. You can use lukewarm water instead.
Expect to shed dead hair.
After about five days, you’ll notice the hair on the treated area starting to shed. This is normal and means that the treatment is actually effective.
The entire shedding process may last up to 30 days, depending on how hairy you are.
Stay protected against sunlight
For two months after the treatment, you must stay away from direct sunlight as much as possible. This is to prevent the risk of having uneven spots as your skin heals.
If you need to go outside, make sure that you’re wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen. Make this a habit, especially if you plan to get further laser sessions.
Leave your hair alone.
After the treatment, the hairs on the treated area won’t fall off right away. Still, you should avoid tweezing, plucking, or waxing them.
Let the natural course of the treatment take place. Picking on the remaining hair strands will only sabotage the progress of the laser procedure.
Unless you’re experiencing irritation, you don’t have to do anything to the remaining hair on your treated skin. Be patient, and you’ll see the results unfold!
Reduce your physical activities.
It’s best to limit your physical exertion so you don’t sweat too much. Sweating opens up the pores and allows bacteria to proliferate. This condition can cause infection in the treated area, especially if you don’t practice proper hygiene.
However, don’t use deodorant to avoid sweating in laser-treated armpits. Stick to washing, wearing loose clothes, and adjusting your activities while you wait for the treatment to take full effect.
Try the best laser hair removal in North Hollywood!
If you want to ensure laser hair removal safety, you should only trust professionals like Pure Skin Laser Center.
We are the go-to medical spa center in North Hollywood, offering clinically tested laser hair removal treatments. Our specialists can remove all your unwanted hair from head to toe with minimal discomfort.
Also, our laser treatments are suitable for both men and women who want to achieve flawless skin. Our licensed specialist will customize the treatment based on your hair type, skin type, hair density, and overall health.
We will make your laser treatment as comfortable as possible. Rest assured that you can resume your activities or go back to work right after each session.
If you want to know more about laser hair removal, call us, and our specialist will discuss it with you. Also, feel free to book an appointment if you want affordable and effective laser treatments in NoHo!
