One of the fastest growing noninvasive cosmetic procedures is laser hair removal, a treatment that uses a laser to reduce unwanted hair growth. Laser hair removal has around for a few years, though many people may have gone the route of using home hair removal kits. However, having laser hair removal done professionally by a certified laser technician is of course the better and safer option.
It‘s not just women who are getting laser hair removal, either – men have begun to consider LHR as well, though they may call it deforestation, manscaping, or de-fuzzing. Professional athletes, bodybuilders, cyclists and others may need to have a hair-free body, while other men just prefer having less body hair so they feel more confident and comfortable.
Whether it‘s your first laser hair removal appointment or you‘re in between laser hair removal treatments, there are some tips to follow for the best possible results.
1. Don‘t Pluck, Wax, or Bleach
You shouldn‘t pluck or wax any unwanted hair before a treatment as doing so interferes with the hair follicle itself as well as the root. The follicle needs to remain intact in order for the LHR to work effectively. For this reason, you should avoid all plucking, waxing and electrolysis for at least six weeks before treatment. Additionally, bleaching hair removes the pigment that‘s necessary to absorb laser energy and kill the follicle. Staying au naturel with your hair color is best between LHR sessions.
2. Shave Just before Your Appointment
While plucking or waxing is a no-no, shaving before LHR is perfectly fine. Shaving helps to preserve the follicle and hair shaft by only taking off the surface hair at skin level. In fact, shaving before your appointment may actually improve your results and comfort level during treatment. After treatment, though, you should avoid shaving for the first days, as this gives sensitive skin a chance to heal.
3. Avoid Sun Exposure
While LHR can be the finishing touch for your bikini body, sun exposure can increase the risk of side effects of laser hair removal, such as skin lightening, a condition that can affect those who have darker skin. If you already have a tan, it‘s recommended that you wait until the tan has faded completely before undergoing laser hair removal. Again, this has to do with the way laser energy is absorbed during treatment, as the contrast between light skin and dark hair often means better results. As with plucking/waxing, you should try to avoid sun exposure for six weeks before and after getting treatment.
4. Keep Skin Moisturized
Laser hair removal will sometimes dry out the skin, so it‘s important to keep your skin moisturized. After the procedure, you may notice some redness and swelling for the first few hours, although this should fade quickly. You practitioner may suggest that you apply ice to the treated area in order to reduce any discomfort, or could even give you a gel or other type of lotion to use. Since everyone‘s experience with laser hair removal is different, skin sensitivity may not be an issue for you at all.
If you‘re interested in laser hair removal, a consultation with a certified laser technician is the first step you should take. During the consultation, the two of you can discuss what goals you‘d like to achieve, the areas that you‘d like to target, and how many treatments you may need to do in order to see the results you hope for.
FAQs
So for the best results, it's important to allow hair regrowth so that your follicles are full of hair. It's important to note that shaving or hair removal cream are the only methods of hair removal that you should be using in between your sessions of laser.
What to do in between laser sessions? ›
So for the best results, it's important to allow hair regrowth so that your follicles are full of hair. It's important to note that shaving or hair removal cream are the only methods of hair removal that you should be using in between your sessions of laser.
What is the best gap between laser hair removal sessions? ›
For most people, it's best to wait between four and eight weeks between each treatment, and we generally recommend six treatments for optimal results.
How can I maximize my laser hair removal results? ›
Shaving and exfoliating can increase follicular activity, making the following laser treatment more effective. Another tip suggested by experts is to pay attention to hair growth during laser hair removal treatment. Some localized areas may grow more quickly than others. This is a detail to share with your provider.
How do you manage facial hair in between laser treatments? ›
In summary, waxing and epilating isn't recommended between laser hair removal treatments. However, if you want to keep your skin smooth between treatments, shaving and using depilation creams is perfectly fine and just think, after a few weeks of treatment with laser hair removal, you won't even need to think about it!
What happens if I wax in between laser sessions? ›
Waxing can interfere with the effectiveness of the laser treatment and may cause skin irritation or damage.
When should I do my second laser session? ›
Although every person is different and results per session will vary, there are some general standards you can expect from the laser hair removal process. Typically, laser hair removal sessions are scheduled about 6 weeks apart and it can take between 4 and 8 treatments for optimal results.
Is it OK to shave between laser treatments? ›
While you can shave between sessions, don't shave right after one. You need to shave 24-48 hours before the treatment–– your clinic will have given you advice about this (or read our blog on preparing for a session here).
What happens if I stop laser hair removal after 4 sessions? ›
If treatment is stopped before all of the hair follicles have been destroyed, some may continue to grow. It is important to complete the recommended treatment plan to achieve the best results. Sometimes, the patient sees hairs are thicker and darker after the treatment when they have original light and fair hair.
Does hair grow in between laser sessions? ›
It is rare for patients to experience excessive hair growth in the target area. Patients may notice more hair 1 – 3 weeks after laser hair removal sessions as follicles in the growing cycle begin to shed.
No one actually knows why this happens with laser patients, but after treatment, the laser can do the opposite of what you're expecting and actually stimulate hair growth. And, if that wasn't enough, the hair can actually come back thicker and darker!
How can I increase my shedding after laser hair removal? ›
Exfoliate gently: Two to three days after your treatment, start gentle exfoliation to help remove dead skin cells and expedite hair shedding. Use a soft washcloth or an exfoliating scrub designed for sensitive skin.
What makes laser hair removal ineffective? ›
If you saw a less than stellar result on your last treatments it could have been due to not being in the hair growth stage in the cycle during time of procedure. Hormonal imbalance while undergoing laser treatments can stimulate increased hair regrowth.
How can I hide my facial hair between laser treatments? ›
However, if you are halfway through laser treatment, you may only have light hair on your face. To hide it, you can use a light liquid foundation only followed by powder.
What are the do's and don'ts of laser hair removal? ›
Avoid hot baths and hot showers for 48 hours. Avoid anything that involves chlorine (e.g. swimming) for 48 hours. Avoid make-up on the treated area for at least 48 hours. Avoid the application of perfumed products or bleaching creams for 48 hours.
Why do I still have facial hair after laser? ›
After laser hair removal, hair is most likely to grow back on the chin, neck, and other areas of the face. This may be due in part to hormonal fluctuations and the reactivation of hair follicles by androgens, such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and testosterone.
Is it okay to shave in between laser hair removal? ›
While you can shave between sessions, don't shave right after one. You need to shave 24-48 hours before the treatment–– your clinic will have given you advice about this (or read our blog on preparing for a session here).
Does hair grow back in between laser sessions? ›
Usually, around 8-10 treatments, each spread out by a few weeks, will be sufficient to capture the vast majority of hairs. Those that do regrow are likely to be much finer due to the melanin being absorbed. In most cases, this regrowth simply requires a top-up treatment once every six to twelve months.
How long do you wait in between laser hair removal sessions? ›
Removing hair often requires a series of laser treatments. Most patients can have laser hair removal once every 4 to 6 weeks.
How long can you leave between laser sessions? ›
Depending on the hair, skin type, and body area being treated, you will require treatments at 4-6 weeks intervals. For the facial area, treatments can be done at 2-4 week intervals.
