Laser Hair Removal: A Guide to Pre-care and Post-care
Everyone is familiar with the famous Girl Scout’s motto, “Be Prepared!” Whether you’re an organized mega-planner, prone to fretting about the details, an ex-Girl Scout, or simply the type of person who likes to know what to expect, here is a comprehensive guide and shopping list for what to do and what not to do before laser hair removal. Read through this list, and you, too, can “Be Prepared!” for the road ahead toward achieving the skin of your dreams.
What to Buy – A New Razor, Exfoliation Tools & More
The Razor – Laser hair removal treatments on our Candela GentleMax Pro lasers require a fresh, same-day shave-in order for the laser to be able to see and neutralize that hair-producing follicle.
Body and facial hair left on top of the skin in the form of stubble or grow out will simply singe when met with the laser’s powerful beam, causing minimal to no change in the base of the follicle.
Also, as you prepare for laser hair removal, remember that clippers don’t count! Unless you plan on using clippers first and finishing with a new, multi-blade razor, clippers just don’t produce the level of skin shave that the laser needs to be able to do its job.
Intimate areas do require some finesse and different positions to get a smooth shave that’s ready for laser hair removal. Special, smaller razors now exist for this very purpose, and we highly recommend them. Additionally, try out a few different poses in the shower, like propping your leg up on the edge of the tub, to reach inside crevices that are tough to see.
Physical Exfoliation – Contrary to what you may have imagined, laser hair removal does not immediately remove the hairs from the skin. You will not leave your appointment with a totally smooth feel as the hairs need to shed and fall out from the treatment area. Depending on what area has been treated, this process can take anywhere from 1-3 weeks.
Physical exfoliation refers to the use of a textured element such as an exfoliating mitt, pad, scrub, loofah, dry brush, etc. to lift off dead skin cells. This process feels great and makes your skin glow. Most importantly, from a laser hair removal perspective, it allows the dead hairs to release much more easily from the skin without having to push through a thick layer of dead skin.
Since the hairs are no longer being fed by the body, they will fall out on their own in the same way that your body pushes out any other foreign object. We recommend beginning to exfoliate around the 72-hour mark (about 3 days) post-treatment and continue to incorporate that a few times a week until the hairs shed.
For facial areas, we recommend using more delicate scrubs and exfoliating textures combined with gentler pressure, like a textured washcloth. This can do the trick without putting too much pressure and agitation on your facial skin. Your face is much more sensitive than the rest of your body, so put away the scrubbing brush or loofah.
Fragrance-Free Moisture – Due to the risk of negative interference with the laser, using topical products such as lotions, creams, antiperspirants, makeup and oils are all discouraged in treatment areas before your appointment. That means, do not arrive at your appointment with a thick layer of product in the area to be treated.
If you suffer from dry skin, shaving an area like the legs then not applying lotion afterward sounds like a recipe for itchiness all day. Pure, unscented aloe vera gel is a great option for a light, easy-to-remove, calming post-shave product. Please always let us know if you have anything on your skin at the time of your appointment.
After your laser hair removal session, your skin may be in a place of heightened sensitivity. Once you have moved past the window of time in which you need to avoid steam and heat, lotion may be applied.
We recommend using a plain, unscented, sensitive skin-approved lotion after your service and avoiding fun fragrances for at least 72 hours (about 3 days) after hair removal and perhaps longer if your skin is especially red or reactive to treatment.
Sunscreen – A 30+ SPF sunscreen is of critical importance, and you need to keep the area being treated away from the sun and at your base complexion while you are receiving laser hair removal.
We sell awesome sunscreen products by MD Solar Sciences at Luxe Laser which are intended for facial use and come in a variety of formulations for different skin concerns, as well as tinted formulas.
However, a drugstore product works just fine. What’s important is that you are applying sunscreen consistently. Consider keeping a travel-size sunscreen in your glove box, by the door, and at work, so that when the opportunity strikes to be in the sun, you’re safe and protected.
What to Wear
When we treat with a laser, we are introducing a substantial amount of light energy and heat into the skin. Clients will want to be careful to allow that heat to dissipate on its own naturally and slowly before adding more heat into the situation or locking heat in.
Therefore, breathable, loose-fitting clothing in the area of treatment is recommended, to aid in the dissipation of heat. It might be most comfortable for you to wear a loose skirt, loose pants, light gauzy fabrics and avoid skin-tight styles, as well as fabrics that don’t breathe well and spandex.
What to Avoid
After a laser hair removal treatment, you will need to be gentle with the skin in the treated areas, so we encourage you to avoid the following-
Heat & Steam – After your treatment, stay away from hot, moist, steamy activities for the rest of the day. For you, this may mean no big workout, no jacuzzi, sauna, bath or hot shower. If you’re coming to us for face laser hair removal, holding your head over steam or washing your face with hot water in the sink will be off-limits. In the summer, try to avoid jumping on a bicycle or sitting on a hot leather car seat. If you’re able to avoid wearing a face mask after your service, this also is recommended.
Bright & Sustained Sunlight – SPF protection is highly recommended while you are receiving laser hair removal, to keep the treated area at your base complexion.
The laser will attract to the melanin deposit on suntanned skin and burn that target. The laser can treat over the melanin that you’re born with, but the melanin that comes as a result of sun exposure is not able to be accounted for in the same way.
Nobody wants a burn or a blister that can lead to a scar! Immediately after your visit, you will be asked to be especially sun-cautious. We recommend avoiding prolonged, intense, direct exposure to the sun for several days up to one week after your service.
What To Bring To Your Appointment
Laser hair removal at our office is a casual, no-pressure and relaxing experience. This is in sharp contrast to the painful and stressful office visit typically associated with hair removal treatments.
Between our incredible Candela GentleMax Pro lasers, our Zimmer Cryo 7 cooling system and our experienced, professional and meticulously trained staff, we’ve taken the guesswork out of the laser experience.
You can rest assured you’re in great hands, and on your way to an awesome result as the treatment progress. As long as pre-care and post-care instructions are followed, this is a very low-maintenance and low-risk treatment with a massive payout!
We accept cash, all major debit and credit cards, and Apple Pay. If you’d like to leave a tip for your esthetician, please bring cash, as we cannot accept tips on cards.
When Can I Resume Normal Daily Habits?
Here are our post-treatment timeline recommendations, pulled directly from our laser treatments post-care sheet.
24-48 Hours Post-Treatment
- Avoid exercise: Work out before your appointment, not directly afterward.
- Go Fragrance-Free: Avoid makeup, deodorant, antiperspirant and lotions with perfumes and fragrances.
- Avoid Direct Heat: This includes hot showers and baths, Jacuzzis, saunas, hot yoga, etc. Use cool or lukewarm water. Swimming pools contain chlorine, while lakes, rivers, and the sea harbor bacteria and algae that can irritate the skin.
72 Hours Post-Treatment
- Wash the treated area and pat dry and do not scrub or exfoliate.
- Don’t shave too soon. Give the treated area enough time to heal. You will know that the area has fully healed when it is no longer touch-sensitive or when irritation starts going away.
- Avoid chemical exfoliants including Retinol, benzoyl peroxide, Differin, salicylic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, BHA, and AHA.
One week post-treatment: Retin-A and Tretinoin and any skin thinning prescriptions can be resumed.
Don’t forget, Luxe Laser is a small, local, independent company run by a passionate team of Certified Advanced Estheticians who truly care about providing you with the best possible hair removal services and aesthetic skin care.
If you have any questions about facial hair removal or laser hair removal on other areas of the body, including any clarification on our pre- and post-treatment guidelines or any questions about the hair removal process in general, our staff is here to help seven days a week.
At Luxe Laser, we offer the best laser hair removal services in Portland, as well as treatments such as dermaplaning, microneedling, skin resurfacing and much more. Text 503.303.3456 or call today to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services.