Proper pre- and post-treatment care after laser hair removal is key to achieving smooth, long-lasting results while keeping your skin healthy and irritation-free. At Revive Laser, we want to set you up for success and put any worries to rest. Our team has years of experience, and we are excited to be a part of your skincare journey. Here’s everything you need to know before and after your laser hair removal session.
Shave prior to your appointment.
Shaving ensures that the laser energy can safely and effectively reach the hair follicle below the skin’s surface, where the energy needs to reach for optimal results. Leaving hair above the skin can cause the laser to target the surface hair instead of the follicle, wasting the laser’s energy and making the session less effective. It can also increase the risk of surface burns or discomfort during the treatment. Shaving within 12-24 hours helps maintain optimal skin condition – long enough to avoid irritation from the shave, but short enough to keep the hair from regrowing above the surface.
Do not wax or tweeze the area(s) before your appointment or between sessions.
Waxing and tweezing remove the entire follicle from the root, which is exactly the laser’s target. Laser hair removal works by targeting the pigment (melanin) within the hair shaft inside the follicle. For the treatment to be effective, the follicle must be present, as the laser targets the root beneath the surface. If the follicle is missing, the treatment won’t work as intended.
Avoid sun exposure, fake tanning, and tanning beds for at least 4 weeks before your treatment.
Tanned or sun-exposed skin is more sensitive and at a higher risk of hyperpigmentation. When skin is tanned, the laser can mistakenly target the surface pigment instead of the hair follicle, causing the skin to heat up. This can result in burns, dark spots, or other skin reactions. Simply put, tanning – whether from the sun, beds, or self-tanners can compromise both the safety and effectiveness of your treatment. To ensure optimal results, it’s essential to avoid tanning leading up to your session.
Avoid alcohol the night before and the day of your treatment.
Alcohol dilates blood vessels and dehydrates your body and skin, both of which make your skin more sensitive and prone to irritation, redness, or even burns. It can also interfere with your nervous system and lower your pain threshold, which could cause the treatment to be more painful than usual. Good hydration is essential for your skin to heal smoothly post-treatment!
Let us know if you’re currently taking any medications.
You should avoid photosensitive medications prior to your appointment because they can make your skin much more sensitive to light and heat, increasing the risk of burns, blistering, or pigmentation. Some examples of these medications are antibiotics (Doxycycline or Tetracycline) and Accutane (Isotretinoin), some antidepressants, and certain antihistamines (Benadryl). The bottom line is to always disclose any medications you’re taking to your laser technician. We’d rather reschedule your treatment than risk serious skin damage!
Avoid heat for 48 hours post-treatment.
After laser hair removal, the follicles stay open for a short period. Pools, hot tubs and lakes are filled with bacteria that can easily enter these follicles and cause folliculitis (red, itchy bumps) or even a skin infection. Activities like having a hot tub, sauna, bath, or an intense workout can raise your skin temperature and blood flow, which can worsen redness or irritation from the laser. Chlorine and salt water can sting and make the area dry, causing itchiness and flaking. Your best bet is to keep the area clean, cool, and give your skin time to calm down before jumping back into heat or public environments!
Apply SPF daily.
The laser creates controlled heat within the skin to target the hair follicle, leaving the skin temporarily inflamed and more reactive to sun exposure. Post-laser, your skin’s melanin regulation is more delicate; if you aren’t protecting these cells, you’re more likely to develop hyper- or hypopigmentation. It’s always a good idea to use a mineral SPF 30 or higher daily!! Whether you’re outdoors, inside near windows, or it’s cloudy outside, just because you can’t see the sun doesn’t mean UV rays aren’t there! They can penetrate clouds, windows and shade.
Skip harsh products for 48 hours.
Your skin is in a sensitive healing state after your laser hair removal session and needs time to calm down. Using scrubs, strong exfoliants such as AHAs or BHA’s and heavily scented products too soon can irritate or inflame the skin. Stick to gentle hydrating cleansers and moisturizers for the first couple of days (think soothing, not stripping).
Revive Laser and Skin: Your Skincare, Laser Experts
Give us a call with any questions or to set up an appointment. We are happy to walk you through the process, help explain exactly what we’ll do and what you can expect, and answer any questions. The team here at Revive Laser looks forward to providing gentle care for your skincare needs!