Your Complete Guide to Prepping for Laser Hair Reduction
If you are tired of shaving, waxing, and plucking, laser hair reduction can be a long-term solution to remove unwanted hair.
Well Labs+ Medspa Crestwood treatments for laser hair reduction involve our expert advice for proper preparation and aftercare for achieving good results. If you are curious about this treatment, read on for some essential information you should know about prepping for this treatment.
Understanding How Laser Hair Reduction Works
Laser hair reduction targets many areas of the body: the face, underarms, bikini area, back, and legs. Laser heat reaches hair follicles that get destroyed, reducing hair growth in the targeted areas.
This process works effectively on hair in the active growth phase. Multiple sessions are often necessary to target follicles in different growth stages.
Essential Pre-Treatment Guidelines
Well Labs+ Medspa Crestwood offers personalized treatment guidelines to each client, but there are some general rules for laser hair reduction that we will detail below.
Hair Removal Prep
Stop Plucking and Waxing
Discontinue any hair-removal methods removing hair from the root, including:
- Waxing
- Plucking
- Threading
- Epilating
Shave the Treatment Area 24-48 Hours Before Your Appointment
Since the laser targets intact hair follicles, these practices can actually counteract the effectiveness of laser hair reduction in destroying hair follicles for long-term effects. Shaving is necessary before treatment, as hair needs to be fairly short for the laser to be effective.
This helps with the following:
Better visualization of the treatment area for the practitioner
Keeping hair short enough for effective laser penetration
Lowering discomfort during treatment
Skin Preparation
Consider Using Brightening Agents Before Laser Hair Reduction Treatment
Using brightening agents can improve laser hair reduction by reducing skin pigmentation in the treatment area, minimizing risk of the side effect of post-treatment hyperpigmentation, as a lighter more even-toned skin reduces that risk.
It also creates better contrast by evening out skin tone. When there is improved contrast between your skin and hair, aestheticians can more precisely target hair follicles. This improves treatment overall as the laser can work more effectively when there is clear differentiation between skin and hair pigment.
Our aestheticians will recommend specific brightening products based on skin type and treatment area. Popular options include serums containing:
Sun Protection
Avoid sun exposure and tanning beds in the weeks before laser hair reduction, as Even minimal tanning can increase the risk of burns and hyperpigmentation, and overall lower effectiveness of treatment.
Applying broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily can be a helpful extra step to make sure your skin is ready on the day of treatment.
Clean Your Skin, and Make Sure It Is Makeup-Free
Arrive with clean skin free of:
- Makeup
- Lotions
- Deodorant (for underarm treatments)
- Perfumes or scented products
Stay Hydrated
Well-hydrated skin responds better to laser treatment. Make sure to drink plenty of water before your appointment.
Lifestyle Adjustments
Avoid These Activities
- Intense workouts that could cause excessive sweating
- Taking hot baths
- Using saunas or steam rooms
- Avoid alcohol, which can increase skin sensitivity
Overall, activities that can make skin more sensitive will lead to a greater risk of skin irritation from the treatment.
Wear Comfortable Clothing
Loose-fitting comfortable clothing is less likely to irritate the treatment area.
Special Considerations by Treatment Area
Facial-Hair Removal
- Use brightening agents, putting special attention to the eye area
- Do not use exfoliants or abrasive cleansers
- Schedule during a timeframe when you can avoid makeup for 24 hours post-treatment
Body-Hair Removal
- Brightening regimen for large areas like legs or back
- Brightening agents can help prevent post-treatment complications areas prone to ingrown hairs, as practitioners will be able to better spot these
Bikini Area
Avoid tight clothing that could cause irritation
Use brightening agents to prevent hyperpigmentation
What to Expect During Your Consultation at Well Labs+ Medspa Crestwood
We begin every laser-hair-removal treatment with a comprehensive consultation. During this appointment, we’ll do the following:
- Assess your skin and hair characteristics
- Recommend specific brightening products, if appropriate
- Create a custom treatment plan
- Share realistic expectations and timeline
- Address concerns or questions
- Rundown of risks
Post-Treatment Care
Your post-treatment care is equally important to preparation. The team at Well Labs+ Medspa Crestwood will provide detailed aftercare instructions.
Typically, this includes continued sun protection, gentle skincare, and possibly continuing with brightening agents to maintain optimal results.
Why Proper Preparation Matters
Taking the time to properly prepare for laser hair reduction is about maximizing your investment.
Proper preparation involves:
- Reducing treatment sessions
- Minimizing side effects
- Improving overall results
- Decreasing recovery time
- Enhancing comfort during treatment
Our team will create a personalized preparation plan including recommendations for your skin type and treatment goals. We may recommend hair-removal creams (depilatory creams) if necessary.
Contact Well Labs+ Medspa Crestwood today to schedule your consultation!
Remember: Every individual’s skin is unique. The recommendations in this blog are general guidelines, and so your preparation plan may vary based on your consultation with aestheticians, who will consider your medical history to see whether laser treatment can be safe and effective. We will go over common side effects for laser-treated skin.
