It is easy to get lured by the promise of a hair-free life. Having hairless legs and being relieved from the stress of shaving your armpits now and then is an excellent idea. However, if you are considering laser hair removal, it is vital to get the facts right from the start, or it won’t work for you. Otherwise, you will not achieve the desired results. Laser hair removal does not work for everyone. Thus, reading up on the facts and the rules will help determine if the treatment is suitable. There are many hair removal options, from threading to waxing, but laser hair removal is one of the few methods that guarantee permanent hair removal. To get the best results, follow these rules.

1. Shave the area before the laser

Laser reacts with hair on the skin, causing irritation and awful burnt hair smell. To avoid this reaction, you should shave a day before the laser appointment. Shaving a day before the laser appointment ensures that the laser beams only focus on the hair follicles, leading to better results. 

Some hair removal techniques, such as tweezing, bleaching, or waxing, should not be done before the process. The lasers target the hair pigment, so it has to be present in the skin for the laser treatment to work. Therefore, you should avoid any hair removal method that removes the hair root from the skin for at least 14 days before the procedure.

2. Avoid workouts afterwards

Laser treatment involves the application of heat on the skin. The treatment works by eliminating unwanted hair using laser beams. The light is absorbed by chromophores in the hair follicle, leading to their destruction. The process causes swelling of the hair follicles and redness of the skin. However, these are temporary side effects, and they last for 12-24 hours. It is recommended to keep the skin fresh during this period since the hair follicles are susceptible. Keep your skin fresh and dry to avoid further irritation of the hair follicles.

Whether it’s a spin class, dancing, hot yoga, aerobics, Zumba, or running, every workout makes you sweat, and it is the last thing you want after laser treatment. Sweat contains bacteria. This plus the heat generated during exercises can aggravate and irritate your skin leading to rushes or a skin infection. It also slows down the settling process. 

Gentle workouts are excellent, so practice those until the skin settles. This means no gym, hot showers, or saunas as you will be creating a perfect environment for bacteria to multiply.

3. Keep away from direct sunlight

An ideal candidate for laser hair removal is someone who has not been exposed to the sun for quite some time, perhaps a month before the treatment. Skin that is tanned has more pigment and is almost as dark as the hair. This makes it hard for the laser beams to distinguish between the skin and the hair. As a result, the treatment will be less effective. Skin with increased pigment attracts laser energy, which might lead to discoloration or burns. This also applies to tan beds.

The laser does not target the hair, but the pigment in the follicle. It is vital that you avoid direct sun exposure and sunbathing before and after the treatment. If you have a tan, you should consider waiting until it fades. In cases where you cannot avoid being out in the sun, use proper sun protection. This includes a hat with a broad beam and a cream with a high SPF of 30 or above. A foundation or tinted moisturizer is not enough.

4. Beware beauty regimes

Prepping for a laser appointment starts up to one week earlier. You will be required to put some beauty products on hold. Active ingredients such as salicylic acids, retinol creams, benzoyl peroxide, retinoids such as adapalene and tretinoin, and glycolic acid should be avoided at least five days before and after the laser treatment. 

Face mists and some moisturizers could get your skin dryer. It is recommended that you avoid a fake tan and chemical peels two weeks before and after the laser treatment. Consult with your dermatologist to get advice on a regime that is suitable for you. 

There are many myths about laser hair removal. Spending a lot of money on treatment does not guarantee your body hair will be gone forever. However, following the guidelines above will ensure you do not see hair growing for some time. You should not go for laser treatment if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or with underlying skin conditions.