How to Maximize Results of Laser Hair Removal | Westport Dermatology & Laser Center (2024)

FAQs

How to Maximize Results of Laser Hair Removal | Westport Dermatology & Laser Center? ›

An easy way to do this is to shave and exfoliate the area of skin we are treating every two weeks. 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.

Follow Pre-Treatment Guidelines

Leading up to your first session, adhere to pre-treatment guidelines provided by your clinic. At Laser Clinics United Kingdom, we advise our clients to shave the treatment area 12-24 hours before their session, avoid sun exposure or tanning, and refraining from waxing or plucking.

The basic principle is that the pigment of the hair, but not the pigment of the skin, should absorb the light. The laser should damage only the hair follicle while avoiding damage to the skin. Therefore, a contrast between hair and skin color — dark hair and light skin — results in the best outcomes.

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.

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.

When bathing, use cool water and gentle soap; pat skin dry with a clean, soft towel. Avoid scrubbing, scratching or shaving. Moisturize with over-the-counter hydrocortisone 1% mixed with either Vaseline® or Aquaphor®, up to three times daily or as needed to help reduce irritation or itching.

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!

If you feel like your hair isn't shedding at all, this could be due to a few factors. In some cases, the hair may be too light, the treatment intensity too low, or the hair might be in the wrong growth stage. Our laser hair removal experts can assess your progress and make necessary adjustments to your treatment.

What I wish I knew before laser hair removal? ›

Alexandrite (755 nm)

The Alexandrite laser hair removal system is the most frequently used laser on the market because it is so quick and extremely effective. Alexandrite (“Alex” for short) can provide quick treatments on large body surface areas due to fast laser pulse repetition rates and larger treatment spot sizes.

The Anagen stage is also where the hair is at its darkest pigment, which allows for the best transfer of heat energy from the laser to the hair follicle.

It does not work well on dark skin

Laser hair removal works better on people with pale skin and dark hair. It's not as effective on tanned skin or hair that's been bleached by the sun. If you've got a tan you'll need to let it fade before having treatment.

Overdoing laser hair removal can result in skin irritation, redness, and swelling. This can happen if the skin is exposed to too much laser energy, causing damage to the surrounding skin tissue. The skin can become sensitive, making it more prone to burns and hyperpigmentation.

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.

The appearance of increased hair growth after laser hair removal can be concerning, but it's important to understand that this is a normal part of the treatment process. Hair shedding, hair growth cycles, and misconceptions about hair growth can all contribute to the perception of increased hairiness.

In order for the laser to be effective, hair has to be present. If you have removed hair by plucking, threading, waxing or epilating, the laser will simply not work.

Although there is no scientific evidence to suggest that taking vitamins negatively affects laser hair removal treatments, yet many physicians advise their patients to stop taking these vitamins during the laser hair removal sessions.