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If you are about to have your very first laser hair removal session, you may wonder how to prepare for the treatment. Worry not, not that much is actually needed. Just a few precautions and some steps on your part to make sure you are fully ready before your session. Following the below advice for pre as well as after care will help ensure you get the best results out of your laser hair removal session.
While laser hair removal works on all skin colors, it is important to remember that natural complexion and tanning are two different things. Tanning puts the skin into an “excited state”. This can increase the rare risks of burns and hyperpigmentation associated with the procedure. Therefore, it is important that you avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight during the two weeks prior to your session. Should you be unable to avoid it, apply a chemical sunscreen with a strong SPF.
The light energy produced by the laser during a laser hair removal session targets hair pigments. Then, it will travel through the hair to the follicle and damage it. The treatment can only work should there be a hair still attached to the follicle. Unfortunately, waxing removes the hair and the root, thus making it impossible for laser hair removal to be effective. Should you have waxed recently, you will need to wait at least six weeks for all the hair to grow completely again before booking your laser hair removal session.
Although you should not wax prior to a laser hair removal session, it is important that you do shave. This may seem counterintuitive but it is the best way to make the treatment efficient. The hair must be cut flat at the surface of the skin. If the hair is unshaven and long, a lot of energy may get lost along the journey before it gets to the follicle. Plus, long hair can increase risks of burning the skin. It is therefore a matter of safety and efficiency that you come in clean-shaven.
Laser hair removal has very few contraindications. However, it is important to know that some medication can not be taken in conjunction with a laser treatment. For example, some medications like antibiotics increase photosensitivity and will make the treatment more painful. If you are taking Accutane or Retinoids, you must stop your treatment at least six months prior to going to your laser hair removal session. If you are unsure how to proceed, double check with your doctor.
Make sure you wash your body of any creams, lotions or moisturizers prior to coming in for your laser hair removal session. Water and soap will do just fine and remove anything from the skin that may increase risks of burning.
Consultations are not mandatory, however they are free. Should you require one, Spektrum Laser Spa will always arrange a consultation for you. During your consultation, you will be able to ask the laser technician any questions you may have and voice any worries. They will answer your questions as well as assess your case. Then, they will be able to come up with the best treatment for you depending on your skin colors and hair pigmentation.
Once you have decided what package to go for, you can book your first laser hair removal session. At Spektrum Laser Spa, we are often Sunday to Monday, from 10am to 7pm. A session can take from 10 up to 90 minutes, depending on the areas you are treating. Remember to book your session quite in advance as our schedule is usually booked out very early on. If you are a first time client, you will need to fill out our waiver form. You will be able to book your next laser hair removal session after the first one.
When you come in for your laser hair removal session, the laser technician will ask you to undress. Clothing you remove will vastly depend on the areas you are treating. You will then be provided with protective goggles and will lay on the bed. The laser technicians will always wear gloves, a mask as well as the same protective goggles.
A laser hair removal session can take 10 up to 90 minutes. The laser technician will apply so gel on the treated area to allow for the laser gun to slide up and down easily. They will then pick a laser intensity they feel is the best suited for your skin and hair color and will have a short test run, asking you whether you feel anything and if it is too hot. If you do not feel anything, it means the intensity is too low. If the treatment gets very painful, the intensity might be too high. Regardless, make sure to openly communicate with your technician to ensure they modify the laser settings for you.
What you do after a laser hair removal session is as important as what you do before. While laser hair removal is safe, it also leaves the skin more sensitive and vulnerable to outside aggressors. As UV rays can create permanent sun damage on freshly lasered skin, it is important that you avoid the sun. Or at least, apply a chemical sunscreen with a strong SPF.
Your laser treatment does not end when you leave the spa. The heat will stay under your skin for up to 24 hours. It is important that you do not do any heat inducing activity. Working out belongs to that category and may have some side effects.
Similar to why you should not work out within twenty-four hours after a laser hair removal session, you should also avoid hot showers. Not only is the skin more sensitive but the heat still present within may incur burning in case of additional heat (the hot shower).
Although you may see great results early on in your laser hair removal treatment, you must still be patient. It is important that you let your hair grow again without shaving it. Not only does shaving stimulate hair growth, but it will make it more difficult to see early results. Shaving after ten days will help boost the shedding phase allowing the new growth to come through. This will be patchy and fine hairs. You are recommended not to shave before this time frame as all of your hairs will not have come through.
You are now ready to book your next laser hair removal session. Each session should be spaced out six weeks. This will allow your skin to heal but also let your hair change to another phase of growth.