Optimize Your Laser Hair Removal Sessions: Everything You Need to Know - Epiderma (2024)

FAQs

Optimize Your Laser Hair Removal Sessions: Everything You Need to Know - Epiderma? ›

AVOID TWEEZING OR WAXING

If you were to tweeze or wax any of the hairs that you are planning on removing, then the hair follicle would be removed in the process. By avoiding any tweezing or waxing several weeks before your laser hair removal treatments begin, you ensure that all hair follicles are present.

AVOID TWEEZING OR WAXING

If you were to tweeze or wax any of the hairs that you are planning on removing, then the hair follicle would be removed in the process. By avoiding any tweezing or waxing several weeks before your laser hair removal treatments begin, you ensure that all hair follicles are present.

To remove the hair, most patients need 2 to 6 laser treatments. After finishing the treatments, most patients do not see any hair on the treated skin for several months or even years. When the hair regrows, there tends to be less of it. The hairs also tend to be finer and lighter in color.

The basic principle is that the pigment of the hair, but not the pigment of the skin, should absorb the light. The laser should damage only the hair follicle while avoiding damage to the skin. Therefore, a contrast between hair and skin color — dark hair and light skin — results in the best outcomes.

If you saw a less than stellar result on your last treatments it could have been due to not being in the hair growth stage in the cycle during time of procedure. Hormonal imbalance while undergoing laser treatments can stimulate increased hair regrowth.

Although there is no scientific evidence to suggest that taking vitamins negatively affects laser hair removal treatments, yet many physicians advise their patients to stop taking these vitamins during the laser hair removal sessions.

So, what causes this? It's called paradoxical hypertrichosis — and even the name sounds scary. No one actually knows why this happens with laser patients, but after treatment, the laser can do the opposite of what you're expecting and actually stimulate hair growth.

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.

If treatment is stopped before all of the hair follicles have been destroyed, some may continue to grow. It is important to complete the recommended treatment plan to achieve the best results. Sometimes, the patient sees hairs are thicker and darker after the treatment when they have original light and fair hair.

What I wish I knew before laser hair removal? ›

Keep the area moist with Cetaphil Cream, Cerave Cream, or Aquaphor Healing Ointment until the inflammation resolves and the area is healed. Keep the treated area out of the sun. If sun exposure is unavoidable, cover it or apply a broad-spectrum sunblock with SPF 30 or above for at least four weeks following treatment.

The Anagen stage is also where the hair is at its darkest pigment, which allows for the best transfer of heat energy from the laser to the hair follicle.

To maximise your laser hair removal results, it's important to prepare your skin before treatment. This includes avoiding sun exposure and tanning beds for at least 4-6 weeks before treatment. As well as avoiding any products that can irritate the skin.

Regret usually stems from choosing the wrong provider. While laser hair removal itself is rarely regrettable, what can lead to regret is choosing the wrong provider. A cheap, inexperienced clinic may use outdated equipment or incorrect techniques, leading to less effective treatment or even unwanted side-effects.

“The key question of body odour is that the heat from the laser disturbs the balance of bacteria in favour of odour-producing bacteria. Essentially the microbiome is disturbed.” Although Dr Somji stressed this shouldn't last longer than a few months and doesn't seem to be a common occurrence.

Tips to Encourage Faster Shedding

Moisturising the Skin: Proper hydration of the skin can ease the shedding of hair. Opt for hypoallergenic and fragrance-free moisturisers that soothe without causing irritation. Avoiding Sun Exposure: The treated areas are particularly sensitive to UV rays post-laser.

Pulse width should be adjusted based on skin type and hair thickness. Pulse width settings near the middle to upper end of the given ranges are appropriate for most treatments. The longer pulse widths provide the greatest epidermal safety and are well suited to coarse hairs.