Instructions for Laser Hair Removal | lONG bEACH, ca | Laser Skin Care Center (2024)

FAQs

What are the post care instructions for 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.

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.

Removing hair often requires a series of laser treatments. Most patients can have laser hair removal once every 4 to 6 weeks. Your dermatologist will tell you when it is safe to have another treatment. Most patients see some hair regrowth.

Keep the area moist with Cetaphil Cream, Cerave Cream, or Aquaphor Healing Ointment until the inflammation resolves and the area is healed. Keep the treated area out of the sun. If sun exposure is unavoidable, cover it or apply a broad-spectrum sunblock with SPF 30 or above for at least four weeks following treatment.

5-14 days after treatment

If you don't exfoliate these hairs some may become trapped so it's best to lightly exfoliate every few days to avoid this. If you continue to shave you may not notice this happening but it is nothing to worry about, it is a sign treatment has been effective.

Avoid very hot baths, showers, steam baths or saunas, and don't swim in strong chlorinated water for two or three days. Don't use bleaching creams or perfume products for 24 to 48 hours. Avoid exfoliating or peels for one week. Try to avoid wearing tight clothing for two or three days.

Dry skin during laser hair treatment can lead to itchy, irritated skin. This is another reason why you should leave 24 hours between shaving and your appointment, and you should also take care to use shaving cream or shaving gel to keep the skin on the treatment area moisturised.

People who are taking certain medications, such as acne treatments, should avoid laser hair removal. It can also be a bad fit for people with certain skin conditions, like a history of skin cancer or keloid scars. Women who are pregnant or nursing should also put off hair removal.

How to speed up shedding after laser hair removal? ›

Moisturise: Keep your skin hydrated with a high-quality, fragrance-free moisturiser. This makes it easier for the shedding hair to push through the skin. Avoid hair removal methods: Resist the temptation to use tweezers, wax, or other hair removal methods on the treated area.

After shedding finishes, you might experience little black dots still “stuck” in the skin. These are commonly referred to as “pepperspots” and will shed eventually, but might take a bit longer. Exfoliate to help those out as well.

A few days following your laser hair removal treatment, you will notice what appears like new hair growth in the areas that have been treated. Amazingly, this is a sign that the treatment is working! Keep in mind that not all the hair removed by this procedure was above the skin.

You should see immediate results based on the color and thickness of your hair, the area treated, the type of laser, and the color of your skin. Regardless of these variations, you should notice a 10-25% reduction of hair after the first treatment. Expect no downtime after your first treatment.

All patients should avoid direct sunlight for 4-6 weeks after surgery. Using sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide brimmed hat are necessary. It is also important to protect your healing skin from sunlight that comes through car or office windows. Using a high quality sun screen with at least SPF 30 is recommended.

Since your skin will be sensitive after laser hair removal, your physician will recommend that you avoid getting direct sun exposure. You should avoid the sun for 1 month before the procedure to 1 month afterward. After this time, apply sunscreen to the area of treatment every day.

Avoid direct sunlight for at least two to four weeks following your treatment. Mineral make-up may be used on any facial areas treated with laser hair removal. To avoid any irritation, other cosmetics should be avoided until the skin has had time to heal.