One of the most common treatments men and women come to a medical spa for is laser hair removal. It’s not a surprise considering most of us have unwanted hair in more than one area. However, without the right knowledge, laser hair removal can seem intimidating! Follow these easy steps and you’ll be on your way to smooth skin.
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- Check if you’re a candidate – If you have hair that has turned white or gray, unfortunately laser hair removal is not for you. Laser hair removal works by targeting pigment in the hair, which gray/white hair does not have. If you are pregnant, it is best to wait until after delivery. There is no issue for women who are nursing. All skin tones can receive laser hair removal, however if you have recently tanned, there are a few rules. If you got a little color on vacation, you must wait a week post vacation for skin to be safe to treat. Even with waiting a week, your aesthetician may have to adjust settings to avoid any hyperpigmentation or burns. It’s best to avoid getting significantly darker than your normal skin tone while doing laser hair removal.
- Nothing is permanent – We never promise laser hair removal yields permanent results. Hair will grow back slower and patchy, and, in some cases, be completely smooth. To maintain results, we recommend a yearly touchup treatment, once a series is completed.
- Prepping is key – In order to have the best and most comfortable treatment, clients must shave the area a day prior to treatment. If you have waxed, plucked or dyed the hair, we recommend waiting 4 weeks before scheduling your first treatment. If hair is completely removed from the follicle, there is no hair for the laser to target and give results. Clients can safely remove hair by shaving between treatments. It is recommended to go with the grain (the direction of hair growth) to avoid developing ingrown hairs.
- Patience pays off – Most areas will need to be treated a total of 6-8 times, with appointments spaced every 4-6 weeks. The only exception are legs, which will be spaced every 6-8 weeks. Depending on your hair, you may need more treatments. It is important to remember that once you start this process, coming in consistently is a MUST, otherwise hair will begin to grow at its regular rate again.
- Treat skin gently – For 24hrs post treatment heat stays in the skin so it’s important to avoid gyms, saunas, hot showers, etc… Ignoring this can result in irritated skin and even bacterial growth. If you are receiving facial laser hair removal, avoid retinol, chemical exfoliants and scrubs at least 2 days before and after treatment. It is recommended to wait 2 weeks post treatment before using fake tan.