How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal Treatments
Laser Hair removal is a process that helps remove unwanted hair from different parts of the body. Many consider laser treatment to be a vastly superior alternative to other hair removal methods because of its speed, efficiency, safety, and success rate. You may have tried things like tweezing or waxing to remove unwanted body hair but there is a good chence that you didn’t get the results you were looking for.
Well, that is precisely where laser hair treatments come in, removing your hair with a high level of efficiency. A major reason why most people prefer laser hair removal work is that the laser targets the hair follicles directly, breaking down their hair without damaging other areas. This means that you can easily remove hair from your underarm, back, chin, bikini line, etc.
Why You Need to Prepare Properly for Effective Results
Proper preparation before a laser hair removal treatment is vital to ensure the process is successful and safe. You might be intimidated by the procedure initially, but if you follow the right steps, you can rest easy knowing that the treatment will be effective and free from major discomforts. Believe it or not, many people go to their laser hair removal session without learning about the do’s and don’ts and end up paying the price later.
If you want to ensure that the laser treatments are effective, it’s important to steer clear from things like tanning beds, sun exposure, and taking blood thinning medications before your session. As you continue reading this piece, we will discuss other important things you need to keep in mind to prepare for your next laser hair removal booking.
Preparation for Laser Hair Removal Treatment
Avoid The Sun
People who want to find out exactly how to prepare for laser hair removal often ask if they need to steer clear of the sun. Well, the answer is yes. If you want to ensure the best laser hair removal treatment, you should stay away from the sun, tanning beds, and whatnot. It would be best to avoid going outside when the sun is out about two weeks before the laser treatment. This is because exposure to the sun rays could cause your skin to become overly sensitive, potentially resulting in skin irritation in the treated areas.
That being said, it’s almost impossible to not go outdoors for a long period, so if you absolutely need to step out, consider applying sunscreen (especially on the treatment area) to block UVA and UVB rays.
Consultat with Your Technician
Consultation is among the most important things to do before going for a laser procedure. This is because it will help you learn whether you will be a suitable candidate for the treatment. During the consultation, the doctor will determine whether your skin and hair type would be suitable for laser treatment. Plus, they may ask you to provide your medical history to see if you would experience any major side effects from the laser sessions.
Remember, not going for a pre-treatment consultation before a laser appointment could result in unfavorable results. Sure, you may have the light skin and dark hair needed to be the ideal candidate for the procedure, but there are some unique things that only a professional can help determine.
Shave the Area Being Treated
Shaving the treatment area before laser hair removal is vital. Ideally, you should shave a day before the procedure to ensure everything goes smoothly. Otherwise, the laser might not be able to target your hair follicles accurately, leading to undesirable outcomes. It is also important to make sure that your skin is completely dry, so avoid using skin products that could increase moisture. Experts suggest patients exfoliate to make sure their skin is dry and clean. Doing so also ensures that the area remains clean post-treatment, making it easy to get rid of treated hair.
Waxing is a Big No-No
It’s important to avoid plucking and waxing the treatment area before your laser hair removal appointment. This is because laser hair removal works only if your follicle has hair, which is why it is best to avoid waxing for a few weeks before the treatment. Additionally, plucking can afffect the growth cycle of your hair, so the laser won’t be able to target your hair follicles properly. It’s best to let the laser do its work and avoid plucking or waxing your upper lip, bikini area, or any other part where you want to remove unwanted hair from.
Specific Preparations for Different Body Parts
Preparing Upper Body
Having fuzz on your chest and back can really make you feel self-conscious and cause you to feel anxious in social gatherings. Fortunately, you can get clear upper body skin with multiple treatments at a certified medical spa. That being said, it is important to prepare your upper body before the treatment by avoiding exposure to the sun and self-tanning treatments a couple of weeks before the procedure. You must also avoid wearing deodorants and applying lotions on the day of the procedure. Finally, shave the area with hair growth thoroughly 10 to 12 hours before the treatment to avoid laser burns.
Prepping the Face
If you are planning to use laser hair removal for your chin or upper lips, make sure to steer clear of skincare products and makeup on the day of the treatment. This will help avoid side effects and irritation that some people complain about after the procedure. Your technician may also advise you to trim or shave your facial hair to make sure the laser can target your follicles seamlessly. Make sure to look for hair remaining on your face twice and shave them off if you spot any.
Shave your Lower Body
One of the first things you need to do when prepping for a laser hair removal procedure for your lower body is to shave your legs and bikini area. Wearing loose-fitting pants to make sure you don’t face any irritation after the treatment. An experienced practitioner will inform you about all of this during your first appointment. They may ask you to wear loose clothing, cotton underwear, etc. Make sure to follow their advice for an effective and pain-free process.
Additional Considerations
Medications and Skincare Products
If you are planning to sign up for a laser treatment plan to remove unneeded hair, you’ll need to avoid certain skincare products and medications to ensure the procedure is a success. One of the first things your doctor might ask you to stop taking is antibiotic medications, as they can make your skin extra sensitive, especially when exposed to light. This can raise your risk of getting burns and scars after the laser hair removal process.
In case a doctor has prescribed you antibiotic medications or blood thinners for a serious illness, make sure to inform the professionals about it, so they can create a tailored treatment plan that suits you. Taking certain herbal supplements is also a big no-no, as they too can make your skin sensitive, raising the chances of injury during the procedure. Avoid taking ginko biloba, St. John’s Wort, and other herbal supplements two weeks before the process for a successful treatment.
As far as skincare products go, exfoliants, moisturizers, tanning creams, and peeling products must be avoided before laser hair removal procedures. It’s best to keep your skin clean and dry, to ensure the practitioner can target each hair follicle with precision.
Avoid Alcohol
Consuming alcohol before a laser hair removal procedure is not a good idea, as it could result in side effects post-treatment. Some of the adverse effects include decreased skin elasticity, dehydrated skin, and hot red flushes. Since alcohol is a diuretic, drinking it expels water and salt from your body, causing your skin to dehydrate. That being said, you will only experience these side effects after drinking alcohol excessively.
So, if you want your skin to be in excellent condition, make sure to avoid alcohol a few days before going for the hair removal treatment. You could also face other issues during the procedure if your system has too much alcohol. For instance, if your skin is flushed and red, your outermost epidermis layer could get damaged during the procedure, resulting in blisters.
So, before going for laser hair removal, consider keeping an eye on how much water you drink, making sure you hydrate properly. Drinking enough water helps regulate the body’s temperature, resulting in a smooth treatment session, without discomfort.
Is it Okay to Drink Alcohol After your Laser Hair Removal Appointment?
While consuming alcohol twenty hours after the laser hair removal process shouldn’t be a problem, it’s best to avoid it for a few more days. Since alcohol dehydrates your skin, avoiding it while your skin is sensitive would be a good idea, allowing you to recover quickly without any painful side effects. However, if you wish to have a glass of drink, it shouldn’t cause any problems but it’s important to monitor your consumption and avoid excess drinking.
Keep the Coffee Away
Skipping coffee can feel like an impossible task for some people, especially those who depend on it to wake their minds up in the morning. However, if you have an upcoming laser hair removal procedure, it would be best to avoid it caffeine at all costs. It is a small price to pay to ensure a safe and pain-free treatment.
Caffeine impacts your nerves and makes your skin sensitive, lowering your tolerance for pain and increasing anxiety. So, if you want to avoid an uncomfortable process, try cutting out caffeine from your diet a day before your appointment. You can book your hair removal session in the morning to make things easier, ensuring you can get back to drinking coffee within 24 hours of the treatment.
Other Food and Drinks to Avoid
Besides coffee and alcohol, there are some other things that you should consider cutting out of your diet to prepare for laser hair removal. These include items like soda, tea, sugary yogurts, cereals, energy drinks, and iced tea. It’s worth keeping in mind that there are several other items you should consider avoiding before the treatment besides the ones mentioned above. The more cautious you are, the better the chances of successful hair removal.
Wear Loose and Breathable Clothing
Wearing tight clothing is the worst thing one could do before showing up for laser hair removal. Unfortunately, numerous people have made this mistake and instantly regretted it. Wearing loose clothes ensures the treated area gets plenty of air and heals up quickly. Lose breathable clothes are ideal for people undergoing laser hair removal treatments, making sure they don’t have to worry about itchiness during and after the procedure.
Don’t Book Your Appointment If You’re Menstruating
You might be surprised to learn that some women spend a lot of time thinking about whether they should schedule their laser hair removal sessions while they are menstruating. Well, the short and simple answer to that is a resounding no! This is because menstruation causes certain hormonal changes that increase skin sensitivity, resulting in a great deal of discomfort during the procedure. What’s more, the hormonal changes could impact the procedure negatively, resulting in unpredictable hair growth patterns.
Discuss Your Medical History Before The Treatment
Do not forget to communicate your medical conditions with the professionals before your treatment. As mentioned before, some medications and health conditions could make the laser hair removal procedure unsafe for people. Consider having an in-depth chat with your laser technician to ensure the process is quick and effective.
Conduct a Patch Test
A lot of people ask the question ” Is laser hair removal safe?” Well, one way to find out is to ask your laser technician to conduct a patch test. For those wondering, these tests take place after your first consultation with the practitioner and there are several reasons why they can come in handy. First off, they help practitioners determine the best laser parameter settings in relation to the skin and hair type of the patient. Since your skin and hair are different on different areas of your body, a thorough patch test simplifies things for the practitioner.
Additionally, this test helps professionals spot the potential for side effects or other issues that could show up after the procedure. This test needs to be performed 2 days before your first session, as doing so will allow the technicians to make adjustments to the process, based on the results.
The Importance of Wearing Protective Eyewear
Patients and anyone else present in the laser room must wear protective eyewear during the session to keep their retinas safe. The intensity of the light beam used to target hair follicles can be quite dangerous for the naked eye and could cause long-term damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Everyone a Suitable Candidate for Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is not suitable for everyone, as it provides the best results for people with darker hair and lighter skin tones. Since the laser used in this procedure primarily focuses on the pigmentation present in your hair follicles, the greater the contrast between your skin and hair color, the higher the likelihood of a successful procedure. That being said, laser technology has greatly evolved over the years, making it possible to remove unneeded hair from a wide range of hair and skin types.
Is Laser Hair Removal a Permanent Solution?
Contrary to popular belief, laser solutions do not help with permanent hair removal. However, if performed by seasoned and certified practitioners, the results can last for long periods, making sure you don’t have to worry about shaving, waxing or even coming for more laser sessions any time soon.
Should Patients Ask Any Questions from their Practitioners?
It is always advisable to have a list of questions ready for your laser practitioner during your first meeting. This will help clear any uncertainties and ensure a qualified person performs the procedure. You can ask the professionals if they will be your permanent practitioners, how much experience they have in the field, and if they have any advice for pre and post-treatment care.
Choose Donna Bella Laser Med Spa for Effective Laser Treatment
At Donna Bella Laser Med Spa. we are familiar with the different requirements of our vast clientele. We carefully listen to their needs during the first consultation and educate them about our laser hair removal procedures. Then, our experts inform them about the dos and don’ts of the session to ensure they are well-prepared and comfortable before, during, and after the process.
Our team of laser technicians has been helping people remove unneeded hair for years and can do the same for you. All you need to do is get in touch with us to book your spot and leave the rest to our experts. Our pros do everything in their power to make sure that you leave the laser session satisfied and with a smile on your face.
