Pre-care and post-care instructions for laser hair removal:
Pre-Care for Laser Hair Removal:
- Shave the Treatment Area: Shave the area 24 hours before your appointment. Do not wax, pluck, or thread as the laser targets the hair root.
- Why: Laser targets the pigment in the hair follicle. Shaving ensures that the hair root is intact for the laser to focus on, without the surface hair absorbing the energy.
- Avoid: Waxing, plucking, or threading as these methods remove the hair from the root, reducing the laser’s effectiveness.
- Tip: Shave the night before or on the day of your appointment.
- Avoid Sun Exposure: Stay out of the sun for at least 2 weeks before your treatment. Tanned or sunburned skin can be more prone to side effects.
- Why: Sun exposure can cause tanning or burning, making the skin more sensitive and prone to burns or pigment changes during laser treatment.
- Guideline: Stay out of the sun or use strong SPF 30+ for at least 2 weeks before treatment.
- Tip: If you’ve recently tanned, it’s recommended to postpone your session to avoid complications.
- Skip Self-Tanners: Stop using self-tanners or spray tans at least 1-2 weeks prior to your session.
- Why: Self-tanners create a pigment layer on the skin, which the laser may mistake for skin pigment, leading to burns or ineffective results.
- Guideline: Discontinue use of self-tanning products at least 1-2 weeks prior to the session to allow any artificial colour to fade.
- Avoid Skincare with Harsh Ingredients: Discontinue using retinoids, glycolic acid, or benzoyl peroxide on the treatment area 2-5 days prior to your appointment.
- Why: Retinoids, glycolic acid, and benzoyl peroxide can make your skin more sensitive and prone to irritation from the laser.
- Guideline: Stop using these products in the treatment area 2-5 days before the procedure.
- Tip: Switch to mild, fragrance-free skincare products leading up to your treatment.
- No Heavy Makeup or Lotions: Clean the treatment area thoroughly. On the day of your session you should avoid applying lotions, deodorant, or makeup to the area.
- Why: Lotions and makeup can create a barrier on the skin, affecting the laser’s ability to target hair follicles effectively.
- Guideline: Come with clean, makeup-free skin in the treatment area.
- Tip: If you have makeup on, ask the clinic to provide a gentle cleanser before your session.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water and keep your skin hydrated, but avoid any harsh or irritating skincare products.
- Why: Hydrated skin responds better to laser treatment and heals more quickly.
- Tip: Drink plenty of water for several days leading up to your appointment, but avoid using heavy or greasy moisturisers on the treatment area.
Post-Care for Laser Hair Removal:
- Avoid Sun Exposure: After your treatment, keep the area out of the sun for at least 2 weeks and wear sunscreen (SPF 30+). This helps prevent irritation and pigmentation issues.
- Why: After laser treatment, your skin is more sensitive to UV rays, increasing the risk of burns, pigmentation, and irritation.
- Guideline: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+) and avoid direct sun exposure for 2-3 weeks after your session.
- Tip: Wear protective clothing like hats or long sleeves if the treated area will be exposed to the sun.
- No Hot Showers or Baths: Avoid hot baths, saunas, or strenuous activities that cause sweating for at least 24-48 hours after treatment.
- Why: Hot water can increase skin sensitivity, redness, and irritation.
- Guideline: For the first 24-48 hours after treatment, avoid hot showers, baths, saunas, and steam rooms.
- Tip: Stick to cool or lukewarm water when bathing to soothe any inflammation.
- Moisturise Regularly: Keep the area moisturised with a gentle, unscented lotion or aloe vera gel to soothe any irritation or redness.
- Why: Laser treatment can dry out the skin, so it’s important to keep it moisturised to promote healing and reduce irritation.
- Guideline: Apply a gentle, unscented moisturiser like aloe vera gel to the treated area to help soothe and hydrate the skin.
- Tip: Avoid fragranced or alcohol-based lotions, as these can further irritate the skin.
- Avoid Scrubbing the Area: Don’t exfoliate, use harsh scrubs, or pick at the area for a few days after your session.
- Why: The treated skin may be sensitive, and harsh exfoliation can lead to irritation or infection.
- Guideline: Refrain from using scrubs or exfoliants for at least a week post-treatment.
- Tip: Let hair naturally shed without pulling or scrubbing the area.
- Hair Shedding: Expect hair in the treated area to shed over the next few days to weeks. Do not pluck or wax; allow the hair to shed naturally.
- Why: Treated hair will gradually fall out over the course of 1-2 weeks.
- Guideline: Do not wax, pluck, or thread the area. Let the hair shed on its own.
- Tip: You can gently exfoliate after 1 week to help loosen and remove shedding hair.
- Stay Away from Makeup: Avoid applying makeup to the treated area for 24-48 hours if the face was treated.
- Why: Your skin needs time to heal, and makeup can block pores, increasing the risk of irritation.
- Guideline: If the face was treated, avoid applying makeup for at least 24-48 hours after the procedure.
- Tip: If makeup is necessary, opt for mineral-based or lightweight products and remove them gently at the end of the day.
Lis xo
