Make sure your skin is free of creams, oils, makeup, deodorant, or perfumes on your appointment. Upon arrival, your practitioner will provide a cleansing wipe to clean the area entirely before treatment begins. Avoid sun exposure (both natural and fake tan) on the run-up to your session, as this can interfere with how effectively the laser can target the hair follicles.
Shave the Area the Day Before
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Shaving the area 24 hours before your appointment will ensure enough hair for the laser to target. It will also minimize irritation, so use a good quality razor. Shave where the hair naturally grows to avoid nicking the skin or missing patches. Do not pluck or wax the hair, as this disrupts the natural growth cycle and will affect your results. Similarly, avoid sun exposure, even on cloudy days. The UV rays can increase the pigment in the skin and affect how well the laser targets the hair follicles.
Avoid skincare products such as retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids, and beta hydroxy products that can make the skin more sensitive. These may exacerbate skin sensitivity and redness while compromising the efficacy of your laser hair removal treatment. If you experience these symptoms, contacting Colorado Med Spa immediately is helpful.
Avoid Sun Exposure
It’s crucial to avoid sun exposure while preparing for laser hair removal. The treatment won’t be effective on sunburned skin, and it can lead to complications during or after your appointment. If you must be outside in the sun, protect your skin by donning clothing and using an SPF of 30 or higher. It would help if you discontinued using skincare products that increase photosensitivity the week before your laser session. It includes retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, and benzoyl peroxide.
Finally, ensure your skin is free of lotions, oils, creams, and deodorants when you arrive at the salon for your appointment. If you can’t eliminate the use of these items, ask for a wipe upon arrival to clean the area. It will help your laser professional see the underlying skin for optimal results. A shaved treatment area is also easier to clean, making it easier for the laser to target the hair follicles underneath.
Avoid Moisturising or Applying Sunscreen
The area that is being treated must be free of any lotions, ointments, deodorant, or makeup. Make sure to wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. Ideally, it would help if you abstained from prolonged sun exposure leading up to your laser hair removal session. If unavoidable, generously apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF. It’s also essential to avoid exposing the skin to chemicals that can disrupt your body’s natural chemistry, such as sunless tanning creams or self-tanners. These products may make your skin more sensitive to light and reduce the efficacy of the laser hair removal treatment.
If you’re taking photo-sensitizing antibiotics, inform your medical professional before your appointment so they can take precautionary measures to protect your skin during your treatment. The same goes for anyone with a history of hyperpigmentation, burns, or scarring. It will help minimize discomfort during your laser treatment as well.
Avoid Waxing or Plucking the Hair
You should avoid applying lotions or creams to the treatment area in the days leading up to your appointment. These products create a barrier between the laser and hair follicles, reducing the treatment’s effectiveness. You mustn’t wax or pluck the hairs in the area you’re getting laser treatment. These processes disrupt the hair follicles and prevent them from growing new hair as they should. Last but not least, you should protect the skin that will be treated from the sun for at least two weeks before your appointment. It includes tanning beds and self-tanners, which can lead to unwanted discoloration and burns and blisters after your laser session, making it challenging to treat. If you can’t avoid sun exposure, use sunscreen daily in the area you’re getting laser treatment on. It will help keep it hydrated and improve its sensitivity, making it easier for the laser to target the follicles.
