If you have decided to opt for the best permanent hair removal option to give you silky smooth skin and have already undergone your first laser hair removal session, you might think that the most important part of looking after your skin is over. You’ve done the proper preparation and had a treatment, but what you do following your session is just as important as getting ready for and undergoing the process itself. In fact, it’s even more important for your comfort. Keeping your skin in great shape between sessions isn’t hard though, and rather than needing to follow a list of ‘to-dos’, it’s more a case of several ‘don’t-dos’, so here are the things you should avoid immediately after your session.
Exercise
Your skin will need at least 48 hours to recover following laser hair removal (a good excuse to skip the gym and put your feet up at home if you ask us). As well as sweat, the friction between your skin and your sports gear may lead to irritation which is why working out during the immediate aftermath is off the cards. Going for a walk is perfectly fine though, but you should try to keep yourself cool and comfortable.
Heat
Laser hair removal will make your skin sensitive so it’s best to avoid extreme heat, including hot showers and baths as well as steam rooms and swimming pools (which also contain chlorine which can aggravate the skin), for at least 48 hours after the process. That’s not to say you shouldn’t wash, of course, just keep the temperature of the water lukewarm.
Shaving
Even if there are a few stray hairs (this can happen due to the way the laser targets the hairs at the growth stage, do not take a razor to your pins until four or five days after the treatment. Of course, shaving is allowed between sessions and is the only recommended hair removal technique. Waxing, plucking, and tweezing, while unnecessarily painful, are also not advised as these impact the effectiveness of the procedure. Please note that if you are experiencing swelling or crusting, do not shave the area at all. Of course, once your laser hair removal sessions are completed, you can kiss goodbye to that razor.
Products
As with the preparation period for laser hair removal, you should also steer clear of products, particularly those that are perfumed, contain chemicals, or are very heavy. These can irritate the treatment area and may even lead to blistering. Aloe Vera or one of the Dr Murad ranges specially made to calm skin can be applied to soothe the skin and ease any discomfort a few times a day. Makeup should also be avoided unless it’s mineral.
Exfoliation
Exfoliation should be avoided immediately after Laser Hair Removal, but it is important, four or five days afterward, to assist in the shedding of the hair and to help avoid ingrown hairs (because let’s face it, nobody wants one of those). Make sure to be gentle when exfoliating the skin and always use exfoliating mitts or a soft sponge.
Sunlight
Be it the natural kind (which you shouldn’t have too much trouble avoiding on Irish shores) or the kind that a sunbed provides, you need to keep the area that has been treated covered and protected from sunlight. If you can’t stay out of the sun, you should apply sun cream with an SPF of 50 and cover as much of the area as possible.
Fitted clothing
Fitted or tight attire, such as bodycon dresses and skinny jeans, can cause friction and discomfort, which may result in a skin reaction, swelling, or redness. With more than 400,000 laser hair removal treatments carried out in Ireland, we know that redness and/or swelling can occur afterward, so this is normal, but you should contact your therapist or doctor if you are concerned or there are signs of infection.
Touch
You should avoid touching or rubbing your skin too rigorously following the treatment. Thérapie Clinic uses the highest-quality, medical-grade technology for laser hair removal, and the lasers are equipped with coolants that make the process as comfortable as possible, but skin is skin and can become sensitive. Again, if you are worried about any side effects, including extreme irritation, please contact the therapist who performed the procedure or your doctor.
Certain medications
If you are experiencing discomfort or stinging, paracetamol can help to alleviate such symptoms. However, not all medications are suitable, and you should steer clear of those that are known to react with the laser light, such as Ibuprofen. Steering clear of the above for a few days after your laser hair removal treatment will mean you can continue to go about your day looking and feeling fabulous and can look forward to your next session and a lifetime of hair-free, silky-smooth skin. Post-treatment skin care instructions will be provided by the specialist performing the treatment.
Ready to start your Laser Hair Removal journey? You can learn more by booking a free consultation.