Feeling comfortable and confident in your own skin can be a very challenging thing. We are in fact our own worst critics, we live in our bodies every single day and we just see what we see when we look in the mirror and sometimes we can be so harsh and concerned with our appearances that we don’t want to be seen in public!
Being hairy or having more hair on our bodies is one of the reasons we may be insecure about our appearance. Everybody has hair, some more than others, some lighter or darker than others and some hair may or may not grow as quick as someone else’s. So we aren’t alone in that respect. However, no matter how many times we attend those painful and sticky waxing treatments every 4-6 weeks, some of us just can’t seem to go a week or two without the first signs of sprouting, which can be annoying and frustrating.
Laser hair treatment is the answer to you hairs! Laser hair treatment is a hair removal process made effective by regular exposure to pulses of laser light that destroy the hair follicle. This does sound like a simple and effective procedure, which it is, however, there are many processes you must go through in order to ensure the best pre and post-laser hair treatment care.
Many laser hair clinics encourage their clients to take necessary steps before and after receiving laser hair treatment, as this will ensure that the treatment is fully effective and there is less a risk of rash and skin irritation and to just ensure a better after-care routine.
What to do PRE receiving laser hair treatment:
- Avoid sun exposure 7 days before receiving your treatment. Sun exposure can last several days and can impact laser ability to target your hair follicle.
- Don’t complete any strenuous activity 2-3 hours before receiving laser hair treatment that may increase blood pressure and blood flow as the treatment may cause redness in areas.
- Don’t wax, tweeze or use any other hair removal product three weeks prior to the treatment to ensure full-grown hair follicles.
- Have clean skin upon receiving your treatment for an overall stronger targeted laser hair removal treatment.
- Avoid moisturising in the week of your treatment.
- If you are using any Accutane products or medication for acne and any skin conditions you are unable to receive laser hair treatment.
- If you are on a long-term antibiotic or are on antibiotics you should check with your GP if you are able to receive laser hair treatment, as it has been found that people on antibiotics have increased photosensitivity to the laser hair treatments.
- Avoid tanning lotions and if you are sunburnt you need to wait two weeks before receiving laser hair treatment. Permanent damage can be caused if sunburnt and you receive laser hair treatment.
There are lots of things to consider when preparing to undergo laser hair treatment. Prepping your skin for laser treatment is very important as laser hair removal is a very strong procedure with intense effects that need to be continued over a few treatments in a treatment course in order to maintain the effectiveness of the treatment and to see the best results and outcomes. Therefore, your safety and skin safety takes precedence before receiving this treatment from any laser clinic.
Just like preparing yourself is imperative before receiving laser hair treatment. Clinicians are assertive in recommending that every client take all necessary measures and steps to ensure better laser hair treatment after-care.
What to do AFTER receiving laser hair treatment:
- Just like preparing for laser hair treatment, you must not be exposed to UV rays and excessive sun exposure post-treatment. If exposed, redness and irritation could occur and you could become sensitive.
- If you are feeling any signs of discomfort post-treatment, paracetamol is an approved pain-killer to consume.
- Avoid using seat warmers and heaters directly after receiving treatment.
- Avoid receiving any other type of skin treatment for at least two weeks after receiving laser hair treatment.
- Apply sunscreen daily to avoid excessive sun exposure and to avoid getting sunburnt.
- Avoid hot showers for at least 24 hours after treatment, try lukewarm or cold showers to avoid rash or skin irritation.
- Gently exfoliate the area two times a week to assist with proper hair regrowth to ensure consistently effective laser hair treatments.
- Remain hydrated, use non-topical moisturisers, less harsh and natural hydrating moisturisers are preferred after receiving laser hair treatment to prevent rash and maintain a constant smooth and soft skin layer.
Laser hair treatment is an ongoing treatment that you must undergo multiple times to see the best outcomes and results. The first treatment you receive only removes the top of the hair follicle. The rest of the follicle lies within the skin as an ingrown and will take up to three weeks to make its way out to the surface of the skin.
Treatments following after the three week period will become much more effective, hair growth and follicles will decrease rapidly and overall results will become evident between 4-6 weeks with consistent laser hair treatment.
Laser hair clinics do acknowledge that laser hair treatment doesn’t just occur in-store, it requires efforts and frequent before and aftercare from every client to ensure a healthier and safer laser hair removal process and well looked after skin. Following before and after procedures for laser hair treatments will ensure a simple, safe and effective procedure for every client.