Laser Hair Removal Aftercare: Do’s, Don’ts, When to Seek Help (2024)

Laser Hair Removal Aftercare: Do’s, Don’ts, When to Seek Help (1)Share on Pinterest

Laser hair removal is a professional procedure generally conducted by a dermatologist to help get rid of unwanted hair. The process works by concentrating beams of light to target hair follicles and destroy their hairs.

Laser treatments are most commonly used for your:

  • face
  • chest
  • armpits
  • back
  • bikini line
  • legs

A 2020 research review showed that advances in long-pulsed lasers have made it possible for this treatment to address not just dark hair on light skin as in the past, but also darker skin tones, too. Your physician will determine the best lasers to use based on both your hair and skin colors, as well as your hair texture.

Still, despite such advances in technology, laser hair removal remains a complex treatment that requires careful attention to aftercare. The way you care for your skin after the procedure can help reduce the risk of side effects and possible damage.

Read on to learn more about the do’s and don’ts regarding laser hair removal aftercare, and when you should contact your physician for help.

Your physician will give you specific instructions for taking care of your skin after laser treatments. In general, you should do the following to help promote skin healing and to prevent side effects.

Apply cool compresses

Wet a clean, soft washcloth with cool water and place it on the treated area for several minutes at a time. You can also use an ice pack wrapped in a paper towel. This method helps to reduce temporary swelling and pain after your laser hair removal treatment.

Apply prescription creams as directed

Your physician may prescribe a steroid cream to help minimize any pain and discomfort following your treatment. You may also take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or anti-inflammatory medications for pain relief.

Protect your skin from the sun

Since your skin will be sensitive after laser hair removal, your physician will recommend that you avoid getting direct sun exposure. You should avoid the sun for 1 month before the procedure to 1 month afterward. After this time, apply sunscreen to the area of treatment every day.

Can I shave after laser hair removal?

Your physician will instruct that you shave before your procedure to ensure a more targeted treatment. While you can also shave after laser hair removal, be sure to wait for several hours after skin redness or discoloration has subsided. Avoid shaving on any skin that’s:

  • swollen
  • red or discolored
  • painful

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), says that laser hair removal is designed to replace shaving. However, the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) says that your first procedure removes between 10 and 25 percent of your hairs.

According to Oregon Health & Science University, any repeat treatments are typically spread over several weeks or months. The AADA shares that most people need an average of six treatments in total, depending on the area of treatment and individual responses.

Knowing how to care for your skin after laser hair removal is crucial to reducing side effects, but you should also know what not to do after your procedure.

  • Space recurring treatments no sooner than 4 to 6 weeks apart. It may take multiple treatments spread out over time to achieve your desired results.
  • Don’t tan. This may increase your risk of hypopigmentation (light spots), as well as burns.
  • Don’t use tanning lotions. While seemingly harmless, these products can be irritating to skin that’s just undergone laser therapy. You may experience rashes, burns, and bumps.
  • Don’t apply lotions with fragrances or perfumes to the treatment area. These may cause skin redness or discoloration, and irritation.
  • Don’t apply deodorant to the underarms if laser hair treatment was targeted in this area. These products may also cause skin irritation.
  • Avoid body scrubs for at least a few days, as it can irritate your skin.

The ASAPS says that redness or discoloration, and swelling are common — but temporary — side effects of laser hair removal. You may also experience mild pain. Such side effects usually resolve within 1 to 3 days, according to the AADA.

An experienced, board certified professional will work to reduce side effects from laser hair removal by using the right types of lasers for your skin and hair color or type. They will also ask you about your medical history and any medications you take that might cause adverse reactions.

More serious side effects of this procedure may include:

According to the ASAPS, while laser hair removal is considered noninvasive and causes minimal discomfort, you should be on the lookout for any possible side effects. You should call your doctor if you notice:

  • increased swelling
  • burns or blisters
  • pain that doesn’t respond to your prescribed antiseptic cream
  • symptoms of pigmentation changes or scarring
  • symptoms of infection, including pus and red or discolored streaks

The organization above also shares that due to both general safety and effectiveness, laser hair removal remains one of the most popular nonsurgical procedures in the United States. As with any cosmetic procedure, though, it’s important to follow your physician’s aftercare instructions to help achieve the best results possible.

Taking care of your skin after laser hair removal may reduce the risk of side effects, but not all risks are avoidable. Be sure to discuss the benefits and risks for your hair and skin types with your physician, and to report any new or worsening reactions right away.

Laser Hair Removal Aftercare: Do’s, Don’ts, When to Seek Help (2024)

FAQs

Laser Hair Removal Aftercare: Do’s, Don’ts, When to Seek Help? ›

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. We recommend avoiding steam rooms, hot tubs, and hot showers to protect your already sensitive skin from chlorination and sweating.

What helps after laser hair removal? ›

Do apply an ice-pack on the treated area to reduce pain, discomfort or irritation. Do apply aloe vera gel or calming creams for 3 days after the treatment. Do wear loose clothes to avoid friction on the treated area for 48 hours. Do keep treated area clean and dry for 48 hours.

How to speed up shedding after laser hair removal? ›

Moisturise: Keep your skin hydrated with a high-quality, fragrance-free moisturiser. This makes it easier for the shedding hair to push through the skin. Avoid hair removal methods: Resist the temptation to use tweezers, wax, or other hair removal methods on the treated area.

How do you deal with laser hair removal pain? ›

You can use an ice pack to calm the treatment area. Use fragrance-free lotions to soothe the skin, and consider topical cortisone cream if there is significant irritation.

What is perifollicular edema? ›

After a laser hair removal treatment, a condition called perifollicular edema occurs. This swelling in the hair follicles indicates that energy was sufficiently absorbed and the follicles are slowly being disabled. Along with swelling, redness, itching, and stinging may last for a day or two.

What soothes skin after laser treatment? ›

The downtime after laser treatment usually depends on the type of procedure and how far the light goes into the skin. Most people will experience some redness, swelling, or stinging on the face. An ice pack or cool wet cloth can be applied on the skin to relieve these side effects.

How to treat folliculitis after laser hair removal? ›

Try one of the many infection-fighting lotions, gels and washes that are available in stores without a prescription. Apply a soothing lotion or cream. Try relieving itchy skin with a soothing lotion or a nonprescription-strength hydrocortisone cream. Clean the affected skin.

Is it okay to pull out shedding hair after laser? ›

Be patient with the treated area, and after a few weeks the hairs will fall out without further provoking. For best results, leaving the treated area(s) alone is recommended as the targeted hairs will complete their growth cycle, shed, and because the follicle has been destroyed, there will be no regrowth.

What does shedding after laser look like? ›

For people with coarse, thick hair, the shedding may be more noticeable and appear as clumps of hair falling out. For people with finer hair, the shedding may be less noticeable, and the hair may simply fall out gradually. Shedding is a normal part of the process and should not be a cause for any concern.

How soon do hairs fall out after laser? ›

When the laser targets the hair follicle, it damages the root of the hair. This damage signals to the body that the hair is no longer needed and will eventually be shed. In most cases, this occurs 1 to 3 weeks after your LHR treatment, and it sometimes looks like blackheads or stubble.

Where is the most painful place to get laser hair removal? ›

Where is the most painful place to get laser hair removal?
  • Bikini area and pubic region. Often cited as the most sensitive area, the bikini area and pubic region have a high concentration of nerve endings. ...
  • Back. Another area with heightened sensitivity is the back.

What is the most painful area to get laser hair removal? ›

The underarms are among the most painful areas of the body to undergo laser hair removal because the skin is so thin. This isn't necessarily the case for the rest of your arms, though, where the pain is much milder.

What painkillers are good for laser hair removal? ›

Some pain killers – Some people like to take pain killers before a laser hair removal session, which is absolutely fine. However, we recommend you opt for paracetamol instead of Ibruprofen or aspirin as these can react to the laser light.

What are the fluid filled bumps after laser hair removal? ›

This side effect happens when pores get clogged. Since the heat of the laser opens up your pores, your skin will be sensitive to these very tiny infections. They happen the same way as any acne would – dead skin cells and bacteria can't escape, so they create a puss-filled bubble as your body tries to get them out.

What is Trichostasis Spinulosa symptoms? ›

Trichostasis spinulosa (TS) is a disorder of hair follicle characterized by dark, spiny hyperkeratotic follicular papules which commonly locally distribute on the face or extremities [1]. Breast, scalp, lower eyelid, and axillary areas were reported as uncommon affected sites [2-5].

What is paradoxical hypertrichosis? ›

Background: Laser hair removal (LHR) is one of the most requested cosmetic procedures worldwide. A rare side effect is the appearance of excess hair around previously treated areas, known as paradoxical hypertrichosis.

How can I maximize my laser hair removal results? ›

Shaving and exfoliating can increase follicular activity, making the following laser treatment more effective. Another tip suggested by experts is to pay attention to hair growth during laser hair removal treatment. Some localized areas may grow more quickly than others. This is a detail to share with your provider.

Do I need to moisturize after laser hair removal? ›

Yes, you can, and should, moisturise after laser hair removal. While you should not moisturise before your laser hair removal appointment, after your appointment is a different story. The best moisturisers to use after laser hair removal are perfume free. This will help to avoid excess skin irritation.

Should I put Vaseline after laser hair removal? ›

Moisturize your skin

To aid in the process, we suggest applying petroleum jelly to your skin immediately following your procedure. This helps shield your skin from germs and keeps you feeling comfortable. While you are healing, it is incredibly important to keep your skin tissues moisturized so the epidermis can grow.

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