How To Prepare For Your Laser Hair Removal Session

You ditched waxing. You also gave up on depilatory creams. What you want is permanent hair removal. That is why you switched to laser hair removal.

It may seem like a huge decision. However, you will not regret it. Now comes the time to schedule your first laser hair removal session. How do you need to prepare then?

There are plenty of misconceptions about laser treatments. Thus, they always seem a bit scary. But they are not. Laser procedures are not as intimidating as they seem.

Laser hair removal is actually quite straightforward. As well as quick and painless. Of course, each laser session is different. It can take as little as ten minutes.

Or up to an hour and a half for a full body treatment. Coming in for upper lip or full legs laser hair removal? Either way, time will fly and you will be out in no time!

Now, how do you prepare for your session? Fear not! We've got you covered. Below are a few advice our laser technicians always give to patients.

They will help you get ready for your first laser hair removal session!

Stay away from the sun

Don't we all love the sun? It brings instant happiness. And a good dose of vitamin D. A gorgeous tan as well. The thing is, sunlight and laser hair removal aren't really good friends.

No, you will not have to keep to your flat during your treatment. Yes, you can still enjoy the outdoors. What matters is that you reduce direct exposure to sunlight.

Especially during the weeks prior and after your laser session. You should also avoid tanning beds, lotions and airbrush tan. Why?

Reason number 1. Artificial tanning puts the skin into an excited state. This can interfere with the treatment.

Reason number 2. Long exposure to direct sunlight without adequate protection can lead to sun damage. The skin is thus more vulnerable to the treatment.

Sun damage before or after a session can lead to pigmentation change amongst others. That is why we advice patients to start laser hair removal in the fall.

That way, they are done with their treatment before summer starts. They can freely show off their smooth legs all summer long. This does not mean you should not protect your skin.

Sun protection is important all year long. Make sure you apply a physical sunblock with a strong SPF. Especially if you treat your face, which is more often exposed to UV rays.

Shave before your appointment

Sometimes we see videos showing how laser hair removal works. And it shows areas with long body hair. Sure, it makes for a more effective before/after effect.

However, unshaven hair will reduce the procedure's efficiency. Patients must shave before their session. Shaving removes a thin layer of skin. Thus, you may experience redness or irritation.

That is why you should shave the night before your appointment. Why do you actually need to shave?

Because the laser does not target the hair itself. Its goal is to damage the hair follicle. The hair is just a conduit for the light energy to reach its destination.

However, if the hair is long, some energy may get lost along the way. This will reduce the efficiency of the treatment.

Need another reason? The pulse would heat the whole hair. This can cause burns or scarring. Make sure the razor is clean and the blades sharp. Wash your skin with gentle soap.

Do not wax, pluck, tweeze or sugar

A laser hair removal treatment needs one main thing to work. Unwanted body hair connected to the hair follicle. The problem with waxing and similar hair removal methods is that they remove the root along with the hair.

Thus, there is no hair left to target. Shaving is different. You only cut the hair at the surface of the skin. That conduit to the follicle is still there.

If you wax or tweeze before your laser hair removal session, you interfere with the efficiency of the treatment. Especially because growing a new hair will take up to six weeks.

Waxing interferes with the hair growth cycle as well. Some hair grows faster than others. Thus, it may become harder to stick to an efficient session schedule.

Stay away from chemicals

Laser hair removal is a safe FDA approved hair removal option. However, it still bombards the skin with beams of light. After a laser session, the skin is quite sensitive.

It is also more vulnerable to exterior elements. As a result, it is safer to avoid using makeup, chemicals or fragrances on the treated areas.

Cosmetics with alcohol or chemicals may irritate or upset the skin. They would only increase your skin's sensitivity.

Try to reduce usage of such cosmetics for a week before your laser hair removal session. Your skin should also be free of lotions and creams.

Plan ahead for your session

Laser hair removal sessions can be very quick. Small areas require up to ten minutes. A larger area will need up to forty-five minutes. Many patients actually do book a session over their lunch break.

Large areas or multi-area packages take longer. Thus, you may have to plan your session ahead. Only then can you find a slot that work for you.

Spa schedules can also be booked out pretty in advance. If you want to keep your treatment schedule on track, you will need to plan weeks in advance too.

At Infinity Laser Spa, appointments are booked on a first come, first served basis. Our schedule changes very fast. We can fit in smaller appointments easy.

However, longer treatments need to be scheduled more in advance. Evenings and weekends are booked months ahead.

Talk to your physician

Laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure. It is a safe treatment. Yet, it has contraindications. Those includes some medications.

That is why you need to talk to your physician. Make sure your treatment will not interfere with the procedure. We know that antibiotics and Roaccutane are not compatible with laser hair removal.

Indeed, antibiotics increase photosensitivity. The treatment will be more painful. Hormonal treatments such as the contraceptive pill or hormone therapy may interfere with the treatment too.

This is because hair growth is triggered by hormones.

Some patients are more tolerant to pain than others. If you need them, take pain killers. Make sure they are compatible with your laser treatment. If yes, take them 45 minutes before your session.

Most patients describe the sensation felt during a laser session as akin to pinching. It can be unpleasant and uncomfortable. However, it is tolerable.

The laser technician will adjust the settings of the laser machine to make sure the treatment is comfortable for you.