Laser Hair Removal Aftercare: Do’s and Don’ts

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.