Laser Hair Removal Aftercare: Do's and Don'ts (2024)

Laser hair removal is undoubtedly one of the most popular and successful skincare treatments available today. The procedure targets the pigment in hair follicles with guided energy from intense laser light to stop or delay future hair growth.

After three to six sessions, most clients will experience up to 90% hair reduction. However, there are some aftercare recommendations that most people seem to forget or neglect, so our dermatology experts have put together a brief guide to make sure you get the best possible results!

Laser Hair Removal Aftercare Tips:

Use Cold Compresses and Soothing Creams

You may experience some redness and bumps in the treated area for 2 hours after your session. Apply cold compresses to help reduce swelling and use an antibiotic cream to prevent inflammation and pain.

Avoid Using Beauty Products

If you’ve had facial laser hair removal, avoid wearing makeup for the first 24 hours to prevent irritation. Use lukewarm water and fragrance-free cleansers to remove makeup after the first few days, and make sure to avoid scrubbing.

If you’re having laser hair removal on your legs, bikini line, or underarms, avoid using shower gels, fragrances, or chemical lotions that can trigger inflammation.

Avoid Sun Exposure

Your skin will be sensitive right after treatment, so we advise you to avoid UV exposure to prevent dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and re-apply sunblock every 2 hours when you’re out, especially during the first week after your session.

Be Gentle with Your Skin

While your skin recovers, avoid exfoliating, shaving, and plucking new hair, extreme workouts, or harsh massages on the treated area for the first five days post-treatment.

Avoid Swimming and Hot Temperatures

We recommend avoiding steam rooms, hot tubs, and hot showers to protect your already sensitive skin from chlorination and sweating. Instead, take a cold or cool shower to improve blood circulation, and pat your skin gently rather than rubbing it dry.

Exfoliate Regularly

You may notice scruff or stubble hair in the treated area as your follicles begin to shed the excess hairs. Exfoliating is the best approach to get rid of stubble hair, avoid ingrown hairs, and help your skin heal. You can follow your regular exfoliation routine, but it’s advised to wait for a week post-treatment to avoid harming the area.

Shaving Stray Hairs

shaving is the only permitted hair removal method between sessions. However, wait for about four or five days after the treatment to target the hairs during the growth stage. If you experience swelling or irritation in your skin, you should not shave the affected area.

Please keep in mind that waxing, plucking, and tweezing are not recommended methods since they reduce the effectiveness of your results.

Keep Your Skin Hydrated

Laser treatments might cause your skin to dry out. Moisturizers help to rehydrate your skin and soothe it. However, avoid products containing retinol or acids during the first 24 hours to limit irritation.

Laser Hair Removal Results

If you’re interested in laser hair removal, you might have heard that “you will never have to shave again” promise. But that is simply not true.

The laser works on heating single hair follicles to damage them and stop them from re-growing. So, if the follicle is damaged, single hairs may be forever gone. However, you’ll only gain a complete reduction of 70% to 80% of hair. The hairs that remain should be fewer, thinner, and less pigmented.

Also, your body may produce new hair follicles with time, resulting in new hair growth. Therefore, follow-up treatments are required every 4-6 months after the first six sessions to ensure that new hairs are targeted.

Our laser hair removal technique at Novomed is safe to use on any body part and is ideal for all skin types while assuring optimum benefits. Our state-of-the-art laser machines have a cooling system that helps to soothe, heal, and protect the skin.

We advise 6-12 Laser Hair Removal sessions scheduled four weeks apart for your first round of treatment (depending on the targeted area and skin tone).

Book an appointment with one of our Laser Specialists at your closest clinic location to enjoy a hairless body with the best results or contact us for free to learn more about laser hair removal and what it can achieve for you.

Laser Hair Removal Aftercare: Do's and Don'ts (2024)

FAQs

Laser Hair Removal Aftercare: Do's and Don'ts? ›

Avoid sun exposure and wear SPF lotion daily in between treatments. Don't use tanning beds for at least six weeks after each session. You can shave regrowth between treatments, but do not pluck, wax, or undergo any other form of hair removal.

What are the do's and don'ts after laser hair removal? ›

Wear a wide-brimmed hat and re-apply sunblock every 2 hours when you're out, especially during the first week after your session. While your skin recovers, avoid exfoliating, shaving, and plucking new hair, extreme workouts, or harsh massages on the treated area for the first five days post-treatment.

What is the best thing to do after laser hair removal? ›

Do apply an ice-pack on the treated area to reduce pain, discomfort or irritation. Do apply aloe vera gel or calming creams for 3 days after the treatment. Do wear loose clothes to avoid friction on the treated area for 48 hours. Do keep treated area clean and dry for 48 hours.

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.

What is the best moisturizer after laser hair removal? ›

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.

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.

How long after laser hair removal can I wash my face? ›

It's recommended to wait at least 6-8 hours after a laser hair removal session before taking a shower; which should be cold or very mild. This gives the skin time to cool down and for any redness or swelling to subside. At Skin Perfection; London's Top Laser Hair Removal Clinic; we recommend you to avoid hot showers.

How can I speed up healing after laser? ›

Tips for a Quick Recovery after Laser Skin Resurfacing
  1. Keep your skin clean. ...
  2. Avoid the Sun. ...
  3. Keep Your Skin Hydrated. ...
  4. The most important Tip!

How to remove dead hair follicles after laser? ›

While you shouldn't be able to pull hair out forcefully, you're free to cut or scrub the hair in order to speed up the shed process. Rub the treatment area with a circular motion with a loofah or gentle washcloth for removing dead hair.

What should I apply immediately after laser? ›

Immediately after laser hair removal, it is recommended to apply a gentle, soothing, and fragrance-free lotion or cream to help calm any temporary redness, swelling, or irritation. Aloe vera, often a top choice, is known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

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.

Why am I more hairy after laser? ›

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 to make laser hair removal last longer? ›

Not only should you avoid sun exposure before your treatment, but you should also stay out of the sun after your treatments are finished to protect your skin and maximize results. This is why many clients opt to schedule their laser hair removal services before or after the summer season.

Do and don'ts after laser treatment? ›

Laser Hair Removal Aftercare Don'ts
  • Avoid Sun Exposure, Saunas, and Hot Baths for Several Days. ...
  • Avoid Tanning Lotions for Several Days. ...
  • Avoid Lotions with Perfumes and Fragrances for 48 Hours. ...
  • Don't Apply Pressure to the Treated Area for Several Days. ...
  • Avoid Body Scrubs for 48 Hours. ...
  • Don't Go Swimming for 48 Hours.
Apr 20, 2022

What soothes skin after laser treatment? ›

The downtime after laser treatment usually depends on the type of procedure and how far the light goes into the skin. Most people will experience some redness, swelling, or stinging on the face. An ice pack or cool wet cloth can be applied on the skin to relieve these side effects.

How do you take care of yourself after laser hair removal? ›

Laser Hair Removal Aftercare
  1. AVOID SUN EXPOSURE. ...
  2. HYDRATION IS KEY. ...
  3. SKIP OTHER HAIR REMOVAL METHODS. ...
  4. EMBRACE ANTIOXIDANT-RICH FOODS. ...
  5. AVOID TOPICAL BEAUTY PRODUCTS. ...
  6. WEAR SILK OR COTTON CLOTHING. ...
  7. TAKE COOL SHOWERS.
  8. EXFOLIATING AFTER LASER HAIR REMOVAL.

How long should you wait to shave after laser hair removal? ›

It is generally recommended to wait at least three or four days after laser hair removal treatment before shaving the treated area. This allows time for the skin to recover and reduces the risk of irritation. Some sources suggest waiting until shedding occurs, which typically happens a few days after treatment.

When can I shower after laser hair removal? ›

How long after laser hair removal can I shower? Ideally 24 hours, but if you must shower wait at least 6-8 hours after your session. Use tepid water and avoid using any harsh products, scrubs, exfoliating mitts, loofahs or sponges on your treatment area.

What is the best way to get hair out after laser? ›

While you shouldn't be able to pull hair out forcefully, you're free to cut or scrub the hair in order to speed up the shed process. Rub the treatment area with a circular motion with a loofah or gentle washcloth for removing dead hair.

How long after laser hair removal can I wear deodorant? ›

After laser hair removal, it is recommended to avoid using deodorant for the first 24 hours. Some sources suggest waiting 24-48 hours before applying any deodorants or antiperspirants, while others recommend waiting 7-10 days.

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