Laser hair removal is a pretty big deal. It’s a long-term commitment and can be pretty expensive. But it’s also totally worth it!
When you get laser hair removal, you don’t have to worry about shaving or waxing or even epilating your face anymore. You don’t have to worry about ingrown hairs or razor burn or any of that stuff anymore. It’s all gone.
But how long will it last? And when can you pluck your hair after laser hair removal? Let’s find out!
Can you pluck after laser hair removal?
The short answer is, yes. You can pluck your hair after laser hair removal if you want to. The long answer is that it’s not a good idea.
When you get laser hair removal done, your body is using its own healing response to fix the damage caused by the laser. It’s important to let this process run its course before trying any kind of other treatment like waxing or plucking.
The simple answer is no.
Laser hair removal works by focusing targeted beams of light onto your hair follicles. This light energy is absorbed by the melanin (pigment) within the hair follicle which then heats up. This heat travels down the hair follicle and radiates out to damage the hair bulb, bulge and vascular supply. With repeated treatments, the hair follicles will become progressively weaker and the hair growth more fine and sparse. Eventually, the hair is damaged to the extent that it stops growing.
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. Without hair to absorb the laser light, there is nothing to be affected by the treatment so resist the urge to pluck!
The goal of laser hair removal is to damage the structures that produce hair to the extent that hair stops growing. Hair removal methods such as plucking and waxing, as well as making the treatment ineffective may also result in the hair growing back more strongly. Whenever a hair is pulled out, whether by waxing, threading, plucking or epilating, increased blood flow to the site occurs. This is the opposite of what laser hair removal is trying to achieve. We want to decrease blood supply to hair follicles and ‘starve’ the hair, causing it to become finer and weaker and eventually stop growing.
Can I use hair removal creams during a laser hair course?
These should be avoided throughout a laser hair removal course as they can make the skin more sensitive which increases the likelihood of unwanted side effects. Additionally, as the cream dissolves hair, it can render the treatment less effective or ineffective. The laser needs to ‘grab on’ to the hair to travel down to the root structure and do its job. If some of the hair has been dissolved, this makes the process more difficult. If you have decided to spend your time and money on a course of laser hair removal, you want it to be as effective as possible.
Can I bleach hairs during a laser hair removal course?
When it comes to laser hair removal, proper preparation is key to achieving the best results. One crucial step that should not be overlooked is ensuring that the hair to be treated is smoothly shaved prior to the procedure. Hair that is long enough to sit outside the skin will hinder the laser operation, making it less effective. This is because the laser targets the melanin in the hair follicle, and if the hair is too long, the laser may not be able to penetrate the skin properly.Another important factor to consider is the color of the hair. Bleached hair lacks melanin, which is the pigment that the laser targets. This means that the laser will not be able to “grab on” to the hair and effectively remove it. In other words, laser hair removal simply will not work on bleached hair. It is recommended to avoid bleaching or lightening your hair before undergoing laser hair removal treatment.It is important to note that laser hair removal works best on dark, coarse hair. This is because the laser is attracted to the melanin in the hair follicle, which absorbs the laser energy and destroys the hair. Lighter hair colors, such as blonde or gray, may not respond as well to laser treatment because they have less melanin.
Proper preparation is essential for successful laser hair removal. By ensuring that the hair is smoothly shaved and avoiding bleaching or lightening treatments, you can maximize the effectiveness of the laser and achieve the best results. Consult with a qualified professional to determine if laser hair removal is right for you and to discuss the best course of action for your specific hair type and skin tone.
What can I do to control hair between treatments?
Shave. We recommend that you wait a minimum of 48 hours but ideally around 10-14 days after your treatment and then shave all body areas that have been treated. With the Soprano Ice Platinum system and the Soprano Titanium some hair may shed, around 2-4 weeks after treatment so shaving will help to exfoliate out these hairs. Different amounts of shedding is common on different treatments throughout your course. A minimum of 2 shaves between treatments is essential. The first after 10 days to 2 weeks and the next around 8 hours prior to your next treatment. If you want to shave more often between these times, go ahead!