Laser Hair Removal Aftercare Tips To Maximize Your Results
Proper aftercare following laser hair removal can help your skin heal, protect it from damage, and ensure optimal results from your treatment. So, how should you care for your skin in the days and weeks after laser sessions? We’re glad you asked! Today, we’re discussing the best ways to pamper your skin after laser hair removal and why it’s an essential part of your treatment.
Why is laser hair removal aftercare so important?
Following your esthetician’s aftercare instructions can help you minimize the side effects of laser hair removal treatments and get the most out of your treatment series. Here are a few ways these practices can improve your experience:
Prevents infections
Laser treatments create microscopic wounds in your skin that can make you susceptible to harmful bacteria, but appropriate aftercare tactics can help you avoid infections.
Promotes better healing
Adhering to your esthetician’s aftercare instructions — and properly prepping for laser hair removal — will help ensure your skin heals as quickly as possible so you can get back to your regular activities.
Minimizes discomfort
Redness, swelling, and inflammation are all common after laser hair removal, but treating your skin with care can help limit adverse reactions and minimize discomfort.
Maximizes laser hair removal results
Happy, healthy skin responds better to laser treatments, so appropriate aftercare methods may improve your results from future sessions.
Laser hair removal aftercare tips for smooth, healthy skin
Now that you know why proper aftercare is critical for a safe and effective treatment, let’s discuss how to care for your skin following laser hair removal:
Keep the treatment area clean
Use a gentle cleanser to wash the treatment area once or twice each day as your skin heals to prevent infection and other complications.
Use a cool compress
Redness, swelling, and irritation are common during the healing process, but a cool compress or ice pack can minimize inflammation. Consider keeping a bottle of aloe vera gel or hydrocortisone which you can apply to your skin as needed. Both solutions contain anti-inflammatory properties to kickstart recovery.
Avoid UV rays and apply sunscreen
Sun exposure will irritate your skin more than usual following laser hair removal. After all, these sessions use concentrated light waves to eliminate unwanted hair, so additional exposure can increase the risk of burns. Add a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your morning routine and wear protective clothing when you go outside.
Avoid excessive heat and sweating
Sweaty workouts, saunas, and hot baths are all off-limits in the days after laser hair removal. Heating your skin will only promote inflammation and encourage harmful bacteria to invade your sensitive hair follicles. Instead, stick to showers with lukewarm water in the first 48 hours for optimal healing.
Stay away from harsh products
Harsh topical products containing potent active ingredients shouldn’t be part of your aftercare protocol following laser hair removal. That means you’ll need to put away scrubs, AHAs, BHAs, retinols, and similar products until the recovery process is complete.
What to watch for after laser hair removal treatment
While extreme side effects are uncommon, there are certain risks associated with laser hair removal. If you notice the following issues, reach out to your treatment provider for guidance:
Redness or discoloration
Redness and mild discoloration are among the most common side effects of laser treatments, but they typically resolve on their own. If you’re still noticing excessive discoloration after a week or so, your skin may be asking for help.
Blisters or burns
Burns and blisters are a sign that your skin has been exposed to too much UV light. This may happen if you don’t protect the treatment area from sun exposure in the weeks leading up to treatment — or the days after your session.
Severe pain and inflammation
If your skin is particularly painful and over-the-counter medications aren’t cutting it, there may be an underlying complication that needs to be addressed. Remember to avoid heat and sun exposure to limit these reactions.
Infection
The above reactions may indicate an infection in the treatment area. It’s essential to keep an eye out for symptoms such as redness, pain, and skin inflammation, as well as fever and flu-like symptoms. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your esthetician if you have any concerns about your recovery.
Experience the next level of hair reduction with laser hair removal at The Skin Bar!
At The Skin Bar, we’re passionate about offering safe and effective aesthetic treatments for all of our clients! We believe everyone should feel confident in their own skin, and we love helping our clients achieve their goals.
Whether you want to eliminate unwanted hair for good, banish acne breakouts, or improve the texture of your skin, we’re here to help. Contact us today or book an appointment to get started!
