Following the right aftercare steps is essential for any cosmetic procedure, including laser for hair removal. While laser for hair removal is highly effective for achieving a smooth, hairless complexion, you need to look after your skin properly to prevent side effects, promote healing, and improve the quality of your results.
At NuSkinnovation, we encourage all our clients to follow the necessary aftercare steps after receiving one of our treatments, especially laser for hair removal. In this quick read, we’ll be providing a comprehensive guide on how to properly care for your skin after laser hair removal and some key aftercare tips to keep in mind.
Laser For Hair Removal: Why Aftercare Is So Important
If you’ve ever wanted to remove any unwanted hair and rejuvenate the skin, laser treatment is one of the most efficient procedures in the cosmetic world. However, the success of your treatment does not begin and end with attending your laser sessions. The key to achieving hairlessness and reaping the benefits of your laser for hair removal treatment is by prioritising proper post-procedure care.
Below is a breakdown of some of the most important reasons why you should maintain a proper aftercare regimen:
Preventing Infections
While laser for hair removal is a non-invasive treatment for removing hair, it can make the skin more susceptible to bacteria and infection if not looked after correctly. If you don’t incorporate proper hygiene into your aftercare routine, you can increase the risk of fungal and bacterial infections.
As the skin is penetrated by the laser, it needs to heal completely before being exposed to contaminants and direct sunlight.
Improving Results
If you want to look after the quality of your skin and maximise the benefits of your laser for hair removal treatment, you should always be following the correct aftercare steps. Even though lasers are incredibly effective at treating and renewing skin, the best outcomes can only be ensured if you properly take care of your skin following laser treatments.
Additionally, you can extend the results of your laser treatment by implementing effective aftercare practices. As long as you’re consistent with your post-treatment care, you’re sure to achieve smooth, radiant skin that sticks around well into the future.
Reducing Discomfort
Side effects like swelling, redness, and minor discomfort are normal symptoms to experience immediately after your laser for hair removal session. A great way to reduce the discomfort of these symptoms is through aftercare. After treatment, the side effects generally remain mild and transient, but they can linger longer or even get worse if the skin is damaged while it heals.
If you want to significantly minimise the discomfort of your skin following your treatment, be sure to follow the proper aftercare steps provided by your laser specialist.
Top 8 Aftercare Steps To Follow After Laser For Hair Removal
Practicing the right post-treatment care following your laser procedure is crucial, especially if you want to reap the many skin-related benefits that come with undergoing the procedure. From maximising skin hydration to avoiding sun exposure, aftercare makes a world of difference when it comes to promoting comprehensive healing and improving your results.
As there are several ways to treat the skin after receiving laser for hair removal, here are 8 of the top aftercare steps to follow to ensure a healthy recovery:
Refraining From Using Topical Beauty Products
While it may be tempting to continue your regular skincare routine following your treatment, it is essential that you avoid applying certain beauty and skincare products to skin that has been freshly treated. As the skin is particularly sensitive, it can become irritated or worsen side effects if topical beauty products are applied.
Be sure to steer clear of body lotions, deodorant, and makeup for at least 24 hours following your laser treatment. Once your skin has settled and the side effects have subsided, you can continue using these products again.
Prioritising Hydration
While this step may not be as widely endorsed as protection from sun exposure, keeping hydrated is imperative after receiving laser treatment. When our skin is treated our advanced systems, it can become dryer and flakier post-treatment. While these symptoms are temporary, it’s best to drink enough water to keep the body hydrated – this affords the body with the opportunity to repair itself.
If you want to speed up the healing process and reduce skin dryness after your treatment, be sure to keep yourself hydrated on a daily basis.
Avoiding Sun Exposure
If you want to ensure a smooth healing process and improve your results, protecting your skin from sun exposure is the most crucial aftercare step. One of the quickest ways to exacerbate side effects and impede skin healing is to expose freshly laser-treated skin to the sun. Overexposure to direct sunlight is harmful to our skin regardless of whether we undergo laser treatment, which is why lasered skin is even more at risk of severe burns or inflammation.
It’s advised that frequent sunbathers take a break from their regular skin tanning while recovering from laser treatment. Be sure to apply sunscreen whenever you are exposed to sunlight to avoid further skin irritation.
Moisturising
Not only should you be keeping hydrated internally, but it is also critical to keep the skin properly moisturised. To alleviate the temporary flakiness and dryness your skin may experience after laser for hair removal, make sure you use a high-quality moisturiser in your skincare routine throughout the healing process. When it comes to choosing a good moisturiser, opt for products that have ingredients with hydrating properties, such as aloe vera and hyaluronic acid.
By regularly hydrating the skin, you’ll be able to reduce dryness as well as soothe and revitalise the skin while it heals.
Taking Cooler Showers
As the skin will be sensitive immediately after a laser treatment, it’s best to avoid hot showers. When freshly lasered skin encounters very hot water, it can cause the skin to blister and burn, which may worsen side effects and reduce the quality of your results. For optimal results and a comfortable recovery period, the skin needs to remain cool for at least 48 hours after laser treatment. Intense heat can be an irritant for lasered skin, which is why it can often cause rashes or redness on the skin.
If you tend to frequent saunas, spa hot tubs, or enjoy relaxing in hot baths, now might be a good time to take a break from these activities as they can hinder the healing process of your laser treatment.
Exfoliating The Skin
An important step to incorporate into your aftercare routine is exfoliating. Exfoliating helps not only to accelerate the hair shedding process after your laser treatment but can also prevent ingrown hairs. Once you’ve attended your first few laser for hair removal sessions, the hair will begin to fall out as the hair follicles have been destroyed. To better protect your skin, be sure to exfoliate regularly in the weeks to follow the procedure.
Following this step helps to prepare the skin for your next laser session and is recommended to facilitate optimal results.
Avoiding Other Hair Removal Methods
Once you’ve started your journey with laser hair removal, you should steer clear of trying out other laser hair removal methods after attending your first session. While minimal regrowth is normal after your first few laser sessions, you shouldn’t attempt to wax or pluck your hair while it is healing. Hair removal methods like plucking and waxing can damage the hair follicles and cause ingrown hairs, especially after you’ve already begun laser treatment.
If you do need to remove any hair regrowth following your laser treatment, rather shave the skin at least 48 hours post-treatment and make sure any redness or irritation has subsided before shaving.
Wearing Loose, Comfortable Clothing
The clothes you wear play an important role in the healing process of your laser treatment, especially if the treated area of your body will be constantly rubbing against the fabric of your clothes. Try not to wear tight-fitting outfits or clothing made with rough materials, as this can irritate the skin and hinder its healing. Rather, opt for looser, more breathable clothes that won’t affect the skin as much.
If you want to go the extra mile to guarantee incredible results, clothes made with natural fibres like cotton and silk work best on freshly treated skin as they better prevent other skin irritants like sweat. When the skin is healing, it needs breathable fabrics that will be gentle on the skin.
The Payoff Of Thorough Aftercare
It goes without saying that the best way to ensure the success of your laser hair removal treatment is through diligent aftercare. Proper aftercare not only helps to improve the quality of your results but also makes the recovery period smoother and more comfortable on your skin. The skin needs to heal and be thoroughly looked after following laser treatment, especially since the treated area is so sensitive to other irritants.
If you want to ensure a steady recovery from your laser for hair removal treatment and experience optimal, long-lasting results, be sure to follow the necessary aftercare guidelines as prescribed by your laser specialist.
Laser For Hair Removal: In Conclusion
As our comprehensive guide draws to a close, hopefully you are better informed on the importance of post-treatment care and how you can better look after your skin following laser treatment. The success of your laser hair removal treatment relies on diligent aftercare, especially during the recovery period.
Now that you’ve learnt all there is to know about the magic of laser treatment, why not book your next laser session with NuSkinnovation? With a dedicated team of laser specialists and top-of-the-line equipment, we help our clients achieve their dream skin with our stellar procedures. Whether you want to rejuvenate the skin or achieve hairlessness, we have an array of laser treatments tailored to your needs.
If you’re interested in starting your laser for hair removal journey today, contact us online or visit one of our many branches across the country. Your skin will thank you later!