How To Care For Your Skin After Laser Hair Removal: Exfoliating 101
Exfoliation is one of the most important steps in laser hair removal aftercare. However, exfoliating after laser hair removal is going to be slightly different than your normal exfoliation routine.
To ensure that you get that beautiful skin you’re after with laser hair removal, perfect your after-care routine between sessions with our tips below.
Most people have laser hair removal treatments done to improve the appearance of their skin and to make their self-care routine easier. One important component of improving your skin’s appearance is caring for it properly after your laser hair removal appointment.
What is laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses laser light to target and destroy hair follicles so the hair won’t grow back. But this doesn’t happen with just one laser treatment, it’s a process over a series of sessions.
The laser is focused on the area of unwanted hair and the heat from the laser damages the hair follicles, preventing future hair growth. Laser hair removal can be used on any area of the body, but it’s most commonly used on the upper lip, legs, arms, back, and bikini line.
What is the laser hair removal experience like?
The laser hair removal experience can vary depending on the person, the area being treated, and the hair type. In general, the laser session will start with cleaning and preparing the treatment area before beginning.
A laser technician will then move a handheld device over the area and fire a laser beam, which will pass through the skin and target the hair follicles. The laser beam will destroy the hair follicles and stop them from producing new hairs.
It sounds intense, but most people just feel a slight stinging or prickling sensation during the laser hair removal process. After the treatment, the treated area may be red and swollen for a few days.
As expected, the less hair you have to be treated, the shorter your appointment will be.
Why, when, and how often you should exfoliate after laser hair removal
For best results, you should exfoliate the treated area a few times per week after your laser hair removal session and between each following session. Just be sure to wait 24 hours after each laser hair removal treatment before exfoliating.
Exfoliating after laser hair removal is important because it’s the best way to remove any remaining hair follicles, dead hairs, and debris that may remain after the treatment.
There’s also the potential for ingrown hairs after a laser hair removal treatment and proper exfoliating helps reduce that risk. Exfoliation also helps to stimulate skin cell regeneration and keep the skin looking smooth and healthy.
How to exfoliate after laser hair removal
1. Gently cleanse skin: After laser hair removal, you should always cleanse the area with a gentle cleanser to remove any remaining hairs or debris, and to help prevent infection.
2. Apply a gentle exfoliator: Use a gentle exfoliator, such as one containing lactic acid, to help loosen and remove dead skin cells that can trap hair follicles and impede new hair growth. With warm water and light pressure, scrub your exfoliator into the skin using circular motions.
3. Use aloe vera gel: Apply a moisturizer with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties to help soothe the skin and protect it from further irritation. Aloe gel is cooling, healing, and moisturizing so it’s the perfect choice to aid in the healing process after a laser hair removal procedure.
4. Avoid direct sun exposure: After exfoliation, it is important to avoid uv rays, as they can cause additional inflammation and irritation. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to protect the skin.
Other ways to care for your skin after laser hair removal
OTC pain relievers
Since laser hair removal causes side effects like skin irritation, you may want to have an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or a numbing cream to help ease any discomfort or pain.
Ice Packs
An ice pack may be the best course of treatment for the pain, just make sure you don’t apply it directly to the skin. Use a thin towel or cloth between the ice pack and your body and don’t leave it on longer than 10-minute intervals.
Avoid direct heat
After a laser hair removal session, your skin will be irritated. For at least 48 hours, avoid hot showers, hot baths, hot tubs, and heating pads.
A cool shower will probably feel great and you can turn it up to lukewarm water if your skin tolerates it. Avoid hot water even if it feels ok for that 48 hours because it will continue to dry out your skin.
Skip forced hair removal
Using forced hair removal methods like tweezing disrupts the hair’s growth cycle, canceling out the treatment you just received to remove it. It can also cause future laser hair treatment to be less effective.
Skip lotions
You’ll want to hold off on lotions and other topical beauty products for at least 24 to 48 hours after your laser appointments to apply lotions. Calming creams are okay, but heavily scented or antibacterial lotions and products will only contribute to dry skin.
FAQ
How long after laser hair removal can you exfoliate?
You’ll want to wait at least 24 hours to exfoliate after the day of your appointment. Use a gentle exfoliator because you may still experience sensitive skin from the treatment.
How do you exfoliate stubborn hair after laser?
Hair shedding is normal after laser hair removal work and can sometimes be stubborn. You may just need to use a soft washcloth, exfoliating glove, shower sponge, or a really gentle loofah in combination with your exfoliating body wash. Do not use harsh scrubs or a rough applicator on sensitive areas.
How can I speed up the shedding after laser hair removal?
Exfoliation is the key to speeding up this process in the time before your next appointment.
How often should you exfoliate after laser hair removal?
You can exfoliate a few times per week but if you experience any discomfort from exfoliation, you should stop.
What is the best exfoliation after laser hair removal?
Anything gentle like a soft washcloth or very soft loofah used with a very gentle exfoliating body wash will do the trick. Do not use harsh gritty exfoliators like a salt scrub on the treated skin.
What are the black dots after laser hair removal?
After the shedding process, you might experience little black dots on the skin. These are usually called “pepper spots” and will eventually shed. Gentle exfoliation will help with this.
Will 1 session of laser hair removal make a difference?
The first session won’t be enough to destroy hair permanently, but it will reduce hair by 10-25%. Remember it will continue to grow back and only decrease more over time with more hair removal treatments.
How Many Sessions Do You Need for Laser Hair Removal?
For optimal results, most hair removal requires two to six treatments. This will depend on the area of unwanted body hair, the skin type, and how well you take care of your skin between sessions (among other things.)
Conclusion
It’s always a good idea to exfoliate properly after a laser hair treatment to get the bull benefits of your session. The good news is that it’s a simple process that won’t take much time and will keep you on track for your next session.
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