Laser hair removal is an effective way to eliminate hairs from target areas. While the procedure is fairly straightforward, there are a number of things to keep in mind post treatment. By ignoring these recommendations, you could end up causing significant damage, irritation, and even pain to your skin and hair follicles. Fortunately, most of these suggestions only need to be followed for a few days to a week.
1. Invite Sun Exposure
If there is one thing you should never do after a laser hair removal treatment, it is spend a lot of time in the sun. When it comes to laser hair removal, sun exposure is public enemy number one. In fact, many professionals recommend that you wear sunscreen regardless of how long you plan on being in the sun. Most of the time, it is recommended to avoid prolonged sun exposure or tanning beds for a minimum of one to four weeks following your treatment.
The reason for this is that laser hair removal puts your skin in a very delicate situation. As a result, prolonged exposure to UV rays can significantly increase your risk of developing hyperpigmentation or suffering from a severe sunburn.
2. Touch Up the Treatment Area
It is important to understand that your hair grows in cycles. At any given point in time, only about 30 percent of your hair is in the growth stage. Laser hair removal specifically targets hair in the growth stage. As a result, what your treatment has completed, you may notice additional hairs growing in around the target area. Most people naturally want to wax, pluck, shave, or thread the treated area in order to eliminate these new growth hairs. You should always avoid doing this for at least 48 hours because during that time your skin is in a highly irritated state. Further irritation can cause a variety of problems including rashes and prolonged soreness.
3. Exfoliating Your Skin
Following a laser hair removal treatment, you should avoid hot baths and showers for 48 hours to limit skin irritation. You should also avoid exfoliating for at least 10 days after your treatment. Not only can exfoliation cause severe skin irritation, it can also create clogged pores. Along the same lines, avoiding harsh chemicals such as bleach or perfumed products for several days is advisable as well.
Can You Shower After Laser Hair Removal?
You can shower after laser hair removal, but as mentioned above, avoid exfoliation. Excessive scrubbing, or the use of chemical or perfume packed soaps can be harmful. Showering after laser hair removal can be done in a safe way if you take care of the treated area properly.
4. Excessive Scratching
Since your skin is left in an irritated state following a laser hair removal procedure, it is common for it to itch. Avoid excessive scratching or picking at your skin because it will only worsen the redness and swelling. A much more effective option is to utilize some type of soothing moisturizer. This will speed up your skin’s recovery time as well as help combat dryness.
5. Ignore Your Physician
Everyone’s skin reacts to laser hair removal therapy is a little differently. Before the procedure your physician will supply you with a variety of procedures to follow during the post treatment period. These suggestions will include both general practices as well as specific directions based upon your skin. This information is provided to you in order to minimize your discomfort, speed up your skin’s recovery time, and maximize the effectiveness of the procedure itself. By ignoring these suggestions, you are not only putting your skin in danger but also potentially making your treatment less effective.
Exfoliation after laser hair removal
There are a number of people who use laser hair removal in order to eliminate unwanted hair. Those who use laser hair removal are able to get rid of hair on their chest and groin area in most cases. Laser hair removal Miami provides individuals with an opportunity to improve their appearance with its available procedures.
Skin Care after Laser Hair Removal Treatment
The main reason people seek out laser hair removal is to improve the appearance of their skin. Laser hair removal not only results in hair-free skin, but it can also make skin look smoother and more even toned and textured. It also eliminates the risk for ingrown hairs, razor bumps, rashes and other signs of irritation that occur after shaving or waxing.
The effectiveness of your laser hair removal treatments will depend on a few different things. Of course, the laser hair removal technology and device, as well as the experience of the technician performing the treatment all have an effect on your results. Not all laser hair removal units are created equal, but you can rest assured that Fox Vein & Laser Experts has the best of the best when it comes to laser technology. The GentleMax Pro allows for each patient to experience a fully customizable laser hair removal treatment with little to no pain, discomfort or downtime. It’s also a more powerful laser than other devices on the market, so treatments are very quick and some patients see results after only a couple sessions.
Although the GentleMax Pro device is known for its successful results, it is really up to the patient to maintain their skin care in order for the laser hair removal to be as effective as possible, and even more importantly, to protect your skin from any kind of damage. There are a few Skincare Dos and Don’ts that are very important to follow while you are in the process of getting laser hair removal, no matter where on your body you are having the treatment done.
DO provide extra sun protection to the area on your body where you have had the laser hair removal done for about two weeks after your treatment.
DON’T take hot showers after a laser hair removal treatment for at least 48 hours, and also do not use hot tubs, saunas, heating pads and anything else that applies an excess amount of heat to the surface of the skin.
DO exfoliate your skin in between appointments. This helps to speed up the shedding of the hair follicles, and gets the skin ready for the next laser hair removal session.
DON’T wax in between sessions. Shaving is okay though, especially within 24 hours before each treatment.
For more information about laser hair removal Miami and to book an appointment, Call our office at 954-627-1045.
Laser Hair Removal Aftercare
After getting laser hair removal treatment, it is important to follow some important steps in order to preserve the condition of your skin. With five steps, you will be able to avoid discomfort and problems with laser treatment and skin rejuvenation for your skin.
1. AVOID SUN EXPOSURE
After getting laser hair removal, the first step in protecting your skin is to avoid exposure to the sun. it is important to make sure that your skin does not get too much sunlight because your skin will get irritated. You can also experience severe burns as well. It will also be important to avoid sunbathing for two weeks and also use sunscreen whenever you are going to be out in the sun for extended periods of time.
2. SKIP OTHER HAIR REMOVAL METHODS
Another way to protect your skin after getting laser hair removal Miami is to avoid other hair removal methods. You will want to avoid waxing or plucking the hairs as these methods can result in destroying your skin and hair follicles. While it is important to avoid plucking and waxing the hairs, you can still shave within 24 hours of getting the treatment.
3. AVOID TOPICAL BEAUTY PRODUCTS
Within the first few days after getting laser hair removal treatment, you will also want to avoid using topical beauty products. Your skin will be very sensitive during the healing process and using beauty products can irritate the skin. As a result, you will be better off not using topical products such as makeup, body washes, and deodorant. You can begin using these products again after 24 hours of getting laser hair removal treatment.
4. TAKE COOL SHOWERS
Since hot water can burn and blister the skin, it is a good idea to take cool showers after getting laser treatment. You will want to avoid taking a hot shower for up to 48 hours getting the treatment. Along with not taking hot showers, you will also need to avoid using hot tubs or saunas as well. It is also important to avoid using heating pads as well as this can cause redness and irritation to your skin.
5. EXFOLIATING AFTER LASER HAIR REMOVAL
When you get laser hair removal treatment, there will be a lot of shedding of the hair. Within four weeks, the hair follicles will be destroyed and begin to fall out. One of the best ways to protect your skin is to exfoliate it during the next four weeks after getting the treatment. When exfoliating after laser hair removal, you will need to use a washcloth and mild scrub wash. Once assembling the washcloth and scrub wash, you will then just wipe over the treated area in circular motions. By doing this several times per week, you will accelerate the shedding and prepare yourself for your next treatment.
Contact Fox Vein Laser Experts for After Laser Hair Removal Care
At Miami Vein Center contact our laser hair removal expert Dr. Susan Fox. If you’d like more information about our practice or are interested in scheduling a consultation appointment with us, contact us today!
Contact us today to learn more about your best laser hair removal treatment options.
FAQs
What to do after laser hair removal?
It’s important to follow the recommended protocol for laser hair removal aftercare in order to maintain skin health, avoid discomfort and skin issues, and optimize results. The first thing to do after your laser hair removal session is over is ask your laser hair technician to apply something to your skin that will sooth any potential redness or bumps. Examples include cortisone cream and aloe vera gel.
There is no downtime needed after laser hair removal treatment, so you can continue to go about your day, but remember to stay out of the sun. Too much sunlight can irritate the skin.
What is the best thing to do after laser hair removal?
The best thing to do after laser hair removal is to exfoliate your skin regularly during the four weeks following your treatment but wait at least 24 hours before exfoliating after laser hair removal. Use a washcloth and a mild soap or scrub wash and gently wipe over the treated area in circular motions. Do this several times a week to help speed up the shedding of hair follicles and prepare your skin for the next sessions.
What can you not do after laser hair removal?
Avoid direct exposure to the sun as best as possible, and especially stay away from laying out to tan outside for at least two weeks after laser hair removal, as it could result in severe sunburn.
While you are getting laser hair removal, do not use any other method of hair removal aside from shaving, as this needs to be done within 24 hours of each session. Do not wax or pluck the hairs in the area being treated. These methods can destroy the skin and hair follicles.
how to speed up shedding after laser hair removal
After laser hair removal, hair will begin to shed from the hair follicles. Many expect this to be instantaneous, but this is not the case. Shedding after laser hair removal will happen as soon as 5 days after the laser hair removal procedure. This process can take a longer or shorter amount of time depending on your individual hair type, age, hormonal balance, and more. Fortunately, it is possible to speed up shedding after laser hair removal. How to speed up shedding after laser hair removal? Keep reading to find out.
How to Speed Up Shedding After Laser Hair Removal
In order to speed up shedding after laser hair removal, it is important to first understand the growth cycle of hair and why you may not see drastic results immediately after laser hair removal. The laser can only target hairs that are in the antigen phase and only an average of 15% of hairs are in the antigen phase at one time. This is why laser hair removal requires multiple sessions and can take many sessions depending on the individual hair growth cycle of each person.
The Growth Cycle of Hair
Antigen: This is the stage in which hairs are actively growing. This is also the stage that hairs can be effectively treated by laser hair removal. During this stage, the growth of the hair will be visible. The laser will be able to target each hair and destroy the hair follicle.
Catagen: Over time, hairs will naturally fall out of the hair follicle on their own. The stage in which hairs fall out is called the catagen phase. Laser hair removal will not be effective on hairs that are in the catagen phase because the hair is already falling out and cannot be destroyed by the laser.
Telogen: The telogen phase is the resting phase of the hair. During this phase, hairs cannot be treated by laser hair removal because there is no hair growing. The hair follicle is simply at a resting point after the previous hair has fallen out during the catagen phase.
Everyone will have hair at different stages during all times. For some people, hairs will cycle through the different stages more quickly than others. This is why the amount of treatments each person needs for laser hair removal can vary drastically. This is also why you may not notice immediate results after laser hair removal.
If only a small percentage of your hair is in the antigen phase during your laser hair removal treatment, you may not notice a drastic amount of shedding after your treatment because it could only be 10% of your hairs falling out. It is also important to note that it could take several weeks for the hair to fall out after the hair follicle has been destroyed.
While you cannot drastically alter the growth cycle of your hair, it is possible to speed up the growth and shedding process of your hair to an extent. Some may even consider an at-home laser treatment to make the process more convenient.
How to Speed Up Shedding After Laser Hair Removal
In order to speed up shedding after laser hair removal, you can gently exfoliate your skin. Exfoliating will remove dead skin that may be holding the hair follicles in place. Additionally, exfoliating your skin regularly can stimulate the hair follicles and help your hair to move through the growth cycle more quickly, which will also speed up the shedding process.
If you have sensitive skin, it is important to be gentle when exfoliating and refrain from over-exfoliating your skin. Skin does not need to be exfoliated every day but rather a few times a week. Over-exfoliating your skin can irritate your skin. By exfoliating every other day or a few times a week, your skin will be smooth and free of dead cells and hair without becoming irritated.
In order to exfoliate, use a washcloth or loofah and gentle soap or exfoliating scrub. Gently scrub your skin using a circular motion. You do not need to use an excessive amount of pressure. A light amount of pressure is enough to exfoliate without causing damage to the skin.
Many receive laser hair treatment in sensitive and visible areas such as sideburns, so it is important to exercise caution and avoid damaging the skin.
How to Remove Dead Hair Follicles After Laser
If you’re wondering how to remove dead hair follicles after laser treatments, exfoliating is the best option. You may be tempted to pluck or squeeze out dead hairs but this is not recommended. Manually removing the hairs can cause infection, irritation, or ingrown hairs. Additionally, you may remove a hair that was not effectively treated by the laser, meaning that you will disrupt the growth cycle and it may not be treated during your next laser session either.
Laser hair removal treatments require patience. While some people will notice shedding in as little as 5 days, it can take several weeks for others to experience any hair loss. It is best not to interfere with the shedding process aside from gently exfoliating and remember that laser hair removal is a long-term process that may take time but can deliver permanent results.
In order to remove dead hair follicles after laser treatment, gently exfoliate to allow the hairs to shed. If there is any dead skin holding the hair follicle in place, this will remove the dead skin and allow the hair to fall out. This will also stimulate the hair follicles and encourage the shedding and growth process of the hairs.
Hair Stuck in Pores After Laser
In the days or weeks following laser hair removal, treated hairs will begin to emerge from the hair follicles and fall out. It will look like the hairs are growing but in reality they are falling out. Occasionally, the hairs may get stuck under the skin and appear similar to ingrown hairs.
Some may be tempted to pluck or squeeze at the hair follicles when this happens but it is best to refrain from doing so. This could cause irritation or infection to your skin or you could mistakenly remove a hair that was not treated and disrupt the growth cycle of the hair.
When hair is stuck in pores after laser hair removal, gently exfoliate the skin to encourage the hairs to emerge to the surface. After a few days, the hairs should naturally emerge to the surface and shed from the skin.
When exfoliating hairs that are stuck in pores, it is important to use gentle, circular motions and remember that it may take several days for the hairs to naturally emerge.
Best Exfoliating Scrub After Laser Hair Removal
If you’re searching for the best exfoliating scrub after laser hair removal, we recommend the KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub made with 10% AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid).
The KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub is made with pumice buffing beads that gently remove dead skin, along with lactic and glycerin acids that prevent bacteria buildup and brighten the skin. The KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub also contains Bisabolol which calms the skin and reduces redness and irritation. Additionally, the scrub contains vitamin E oil to hydrate and enhance the healing process of the skin.
The KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub is made without harmful or unnatural ingredients and is tested for sensitive skin. There are no harsh fragrances and the scrub is cruelty free.
If you’re looking for the best exfoliating scrub after laser hair removal, we recommend KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub as a safe and effective product for gentle exfoliating.
FAQ: How to Speed Up Shedding After Laser Hair Removal
Why is my hair not shedding after laser?
If your hair is not shedding after laser treatment, this is likely because the majority of your hair was not in the antigen phase during the shedding process. Only hair that is in the antigen phase will shed after being treated with a laser. It may take several treatments to see significant shedding after laser hair removal because you may need to allow more time for each individual hair to reach the antigen stage.
Additionally, it is important to remember that the shedding process after laser hair removal is not instantaneous. It can take up to a month for the hairs to shed. Laser hair removal requires patience for results, but with time the results will likely prove themselves to be worth the wait.
Is it OK to pull hair out after laser?
It is not recommended to pull hair out after laser treatments. Pulling hair out after laser treatments can irritate the hairs, especially if they have just been treated. The hairs that were treated by the laser will naturally fall out in the days and weeks following treatment.
It may be tempting to pull hair out after the laser treatment, but not only can it cause irritation and infection, it can also disrupt the growth process of the hair, thus, preventing the laser hair removal process from being as effective during your next session. If you pull a hair out, you restart the growth process of your hair.
best exfoliation after laser hair removal
Exfoliation is one of the most important steps in laser hair removal aftercare. However, exfoliating after laser hair removal is going to be slightly different than your normal exfoliation routine.
To ensure that you get that beautiful skin you’re after with laser hair removal, perfect your after-care routine between sessions with our tips below.
Most people have laser hair removal treatments done to improve the appearance of their skin and to make their self-care routine easier. One important component of improving your skin’s appearance is caring for it properly after your laser hair removal appointment.
What is laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses laser light to target and destroy hair follicles so the hair won’t grow back. But this doesn’t happen with just one laser treatment, it’s a process over a series of sessions.
The laser is focused on the area of unwanted hair and the heat from the laser damages the hair follicles, preventing future hair growth. Laser hair removal can be used on any area of the body, but it’s most commonly used on the upper lip, legs, arms, back, and bikini line.
What is the laser hair removal experience like?
The laser hair removal experience can vary depending on the person, the area being treated, and the hair type. In general, the laser session will start with cleaning and preparing the treatment area before beginning.
A laser technician will then move a handheld device over the area and fire a laser beam, which will pass through the skin and target the hair follicles. The laser beam will destroy the hair follicles and stop them from producing new hairs.
It sounds intense, but most people just feel a slight stinging or prickling sensation during the laser hair removal process. After the treatment, the treated area may be red and swollen for a few days.
As expected, the less hair you have to be treated, the shorter your appointment will be.
Why, when, and how often you should exfoliate after laser hair removal
For best results, you should exfoliate the treated area a few times per week after your laser hair removal session and between each following session. Just be sure to wait 24 hours after each laser hair removal treatment before exfoliating.
Exfoliating after laser hair removal is important because it’s the best way to remove any remaining hair follicles, dead hairs, and debris that may remain after the treatment.
There’s also the potential for ingrown hairs after a laser hair removal treatment and proper exfoliating helps reduce that risk. Exfoliation also helps to stimulate skin cell regeneration and keep the skin looking smooth and healthy.
How to exfoliate after laser hair removal
1. Gently cleanse skin: After laser hair removal, you should always cleanse the area with a gentle cleanser to remove any remaining hairs or debris, and to help prevent infection.
2. Apply a gentle exfoliator: Use a gentle exfoliator, such as one containing lactic acid, to help loosen and remove dead skin cells that can trap hair follicles and impede new hair growth. With warm water and light pressure, scrub your exfoliator into the skin using circular motions.
3. Use aloe vera gel: Apply a moisturizer with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties to help soothe the skin and protect it from further irritation. Aloe gel is cooling, healing, and moisturizing so it’s the perfect choice to aid in the healing process after a laser hair removal procedure.
4. Avoid direct sun exposure: After exfoliation, it is important to avoid uv rays, as they can cause additional inflammation and irritation. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to protect the skin.
Other ways to care for your skin after laser hair removal
OTC pain relievers
Since laser hair removal causes side effects like skin irritation, you may want to have an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or a numbing cream to help ease any discomfort or pain.
Ice Packs
An ice pack may be the best course of treatment for the pain, just make sure you don’t apply it directly to the skin. Use a thin towel or cloth between the ice pack and your body and don’t leave it on longer than 10-minute intervals.
Avoid direct heat
After a laser hair removal session, your skin will be irritated. For at least 48 hours, avoid hot showers, hot baths, hot tubs, and heating pads.
A cool shower will probably feel great and you can turn it up to lukewarm water if your skin tolerates it. Avoid hot water even if it feels ok for that 48 hours because it will continue to dry out your skin.
Skip forced hair removal
Using forced hair removal methods like tweezing disrupts the hair’s growth cycle, canceling out the treatment you just received to remove it. It can also cause future laser hair treatment to be less effective.
Skip lotions
You’ll want to hold off on lotions and other topical beauty products for at least 24 to 48 hours after your laser appointments to apply lotions. Calming creams are okay, but heavily scented or antibacterial lotions and products will only contribute to dry skin.
best moisturizer after laser hair removal
Folks who battled with unwanted hair and opted for laser hair removal — congratulations! You will find your permanent solution to your problem areas quite amenable, but caring for those areas freshly treated by laser hair removal may require a few extra tools in your skin care toolkit.
After any laser treatment, vitamin E lotion and aloe should be applied to the skin (these are both applied in office, post-treatment at Laser Smooth). This simple step ensures your skin is soothed and supple after the hair removal process. Redness is a common consequence and typically skin will return to its normal tone before the end of your treatment day. Treating the skin with aloe and vitamin E lotion can help expedite your skin’s return to its natural tone.
Post-laser hair removal, it’s important to keep your skin well protected from the sun, an SPF lotion will help keep your newly smooth areas from becoming affected by sun exposure. However, prolonged sun exposure to your treated areas, regardless of SPF, should be kept to a minimum until a few days after your final laser hair removal treatment.
Post-care calming creams can be a great way to soothe more sensitive skin after laser hair removal treatments. Look for a cream with the aforementioned aloe and/or vitamin E to make sure to both calm and nourish your skin.
Laser hair removal is a simple, painless and permanent solution to the problem of unwanted hair. Contact Laser Smooth Company today for your free laser hair removal consultation.