How Long Can I Use Retinol After Laser Hair Removal
When it comes to laser hair removal, you might be wondering, how long after laser hair removal can I use retinol? Well, we’ve got the answer for you.
Retinol is a vitamin A derivative, and it’s commonly used as an anti-aging product. It reduces wrinkles and dark spots and helps improve skin texture. Retinol can be applied directly to the skin or taken orally in pill form.
Since retinol products are so effective at improving the appearance of your skin, it’s no wonder that people who have had laser hair removal would want to use them! But when you’re considering using a retinol product after your laser treatment, there are some important things to keep in mind.
Remember that retinol products are incredibly strong—so strong that they should not be used by anyone who has sensitive skin or who has had previous bad experiences with retinols. If this sounds like you, talk to your doctor before trying a new brand of retinols on your sensitive skin.
How does retinol actually work?
Retinol is a powerful tool against aging skin and acne, but it’s not for everyone. If you’re prone to allergies or have sensitive skin, you might want to try skincare products with alternative anti-aging or skin-clearing ingredients. Importantly, retinol makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight so be sure to use sunscreen and avoid the sun as much as you can while you use retinol products.
Before you use a retinol product for the first time, try a little bit on a small area of skin (a patch test) to see if you have any negative reactions. If, after a couple of days, your skin patch isn’t very red or itchy, you can add retinol to your skincare routine at bedtime.
To use retinol, follow the instructions on the package or your provider’s recommendations for application. In general, here are the steps you take:
- Clean your skin with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry. Don’t scrub your skin while using retinol products.
- Apply retinol in a thin layer to your entire face (be careful not to get it in your mouth, nose and eyes). Use a dose approximately the size of a pea. For the first couple of weeks of treatment, apply retinol only every other day.
- Finish with a facial moisturizer that won’t clog your pores (noncomedogenic).
When To Stop Retinol Before Laser Hair Removal
Retinol, the skincare superhero, has a somewhat stringent set of guidelines, as you are already aware if you have ever tried it. Applying it at night is the ideal option, and it must be used with SPF. It should not be combined with specific acids or vitamins. Find out whether laser hair removal is a good addition to your retinol regimen.
What Is Retinol? There’s more to this skincare component than just a new beauty fad. Many beauty enthusiasts have called it a miracle. Retinol is believed to do everything from preventing acne to lessening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
What You Need To Know When Using Retinol
With great power comes great responsibility. If you take a walk through your favorite beauty department, you’ll notice plenty of options for retinol creams, serums, and gels, but since it’s not your average ingredient, it should be treated with special measures.
Retinol is only meant to be used in small doses because it’s so powerful. Using too much retinol can actually make your skin more prone to sensitivities such as dryness, redness, or irritation before you achieve the beautiful glow you signed up for. This is why retinol comes with its own usage rulebook, which can affect your laser hair removal schedule.
Here are the essential retinol rules you need to keep in mind:
- Start with a low dose of retinol to get your skin used to it. You’ll notice that most retinol products only contain concentrations of 0.5% or 1%. If you’re a retinol newbie, definitely start off with the lowest concentration possible.
- Be super diligent with your SPF usage. Retinol can increase the skin’s sensitivity to UV light, which is why many skincare experts recommend applying retinol at night, as it gives the skin time to recover and repair itself while you sleep.
- Avoid using other exfoliating or peeling products while using retinol. The retinol alone is powerful enough, and over-exfoliating will put you at a higher risk for irritation. Stop using retinol if you notice excessive redness or irritation. Always consult with a dermatologist if you have any worries or concerns.
Can You Use Retinol While Getting Laser Hair Removal?
The most important thing to remember is that retinol can increase the skin’s sensitivity to light, which is a crucial aspect of laser hair removal. This is due to the fact that retinol promotes cell turnover, which can thin and weaken the skin.
Wait 3-5 days after laser sessions before restarting retinol. This pause allows any laser-related irritation to resolve. Retinol can then be safely reintroduced once skin has stabilized.
How To Safely Use Retinol While Getting Laser Hair Removal
As previously said, if you choose not to, you do not need to totally stop taking retinol during laser hair removal. All you need to do is modify your skincare regimen to accommodate your laser hair removal treatments.
To give your skin ample time to heal, we advise stopping retinol at least three days before your laser hair removal procedure. Start your retinol pause one week prior to your planned laser treatment if you are aware that your skin is more sensitive than usual and you want to be particularly careful.
However, the number of measures you need to take may also depend on the place or areas of your body that receive laser treatments.
You might not need to worry about anything because retinol and laser hair removal shouldn’t be applied to the same spot on your skin at the same time.
For instance, since the lasers won’t be in contact with the retinol-treated area, you should be able to carry on with your facial skincare regimen if you solely use retinol on your face and laser hair removal on your body. As you proceed with your laser hair removal treatments, it’s still crucial to adhere to your other retinol-related precautions (i.e., SPF and low dosage). You should, however, start alternating between the two procedures with enough time between them if you’re having laser hair removal on your face.
Start your retinol pause a week prior to your planned laser treatment if you are aware that your skin is more sensitive than usual and you want to be particularly careful.
However, the number of precautions you need to take may also depend on which parts or areas of your body receive laser treatments.
Retinol and Laser FAQs
Is retinol safe to use during the IPL?
According to Dr. Boakye, a light, not a laser, is used in intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments, also known as photofacials, that aid with hyperpigmentation. But before using retinol, she still advises consulting your physician or provider. According to her, the length of time you should cease taking retinol before an IPL treatment depends on your skin type and the settings the doctor chooses. Ideally, a week prior to the event, as a general rule.
Can I use tretinoin and have laser hair removal?
Before laser hair removal, Dr. Boakye says it’s normally okay to take tretinoin, a retinoid that’s also known to cause irritation. But she adds that if your doctor observes irritation during treatment, they might think about lowering the energy setting. Because of this, before you have treatment, make sure to let them know about your skincare regimen.
Is vitamin C safe to use before laser hair removal?
The same holds true if you incorporate vitamin C into your skincare regimen. Before laser hair removal, it’s usually okay to use, according to Dr. Boakye. In the event that your skin becomes irritated, your provider could just reduce the energy setting.
Is it safe for me to utilize hyaluronic acid during laser hair removal?
Yeah! There is no problem because hyaluronic acid is a hydrating substance, according to Dr. Boakye. But as was already noted, if you have any questions regarding utilizing any particular substances prior to a treatment, always consult your laser provider.
Conclusion
Cutting out retinol isn’t the only precaution you should take before going under the laser. You should also plan to ditch all skincare products with acids, benzoyl peroxide, and any retinol-like substances (a la Differin) at least five days before your laser appointment.
“It’s important to discontinue all retinoids in addition to products that contain alpha or beta hydroxy, glycolic, and salicylic acid,” It’s also important to discontinue waxing and tweezing for approximately four weeks so that the hair is in the follicle at the time of the treatment.
