Recovery and Care after Laser Hair Removal

 By: Elizabeth Walling, Published: 2005-11-29, Parent Category:

 Laser hair removal can be a simple process with little recovery time for those who take the time to utilize proper skin care after laser treatments. Proper skin care after and between treatments is vital for achieving your desired results and maintaining healthy, beautiful skin. Following a few simple words of advice will help you obtain the results you want out of your laser hair removal treatments, while drastically reducing the chances of complications or discomfort following treatments.

 Immediately after a laser hair removal treatment, you can expect the skin in the treated area to be slightly red and swollen. The area may feel a little puffy and irritated, like a mild sunburn. This is most noticeable around hair follicles. For many patients, this sensation disappears within a few hours. For some, however, it may take a day or two for skin to return to a completely normal state. Recovery time is not necessary for laser hair removal, and most patients will be able to return to normal activities, such as working or shopping, directly after treatments. If you feel you might want to relax for a few hours after treatments, by all means schedule your treatments for a time when this is possible, but most patients will find this to be unnecessary. If you notice any type of blistering or crusting in the treated area, you should make sure this is cared for by the laser treatment facility immediately, and you should discuss whether further treatments are still recommended.

 If you find the redness and swelling following laser treatments to be uncomfortable, there are ways to alleviate these symptoms. Cold compresses can be used to soothe the area. You can use ice, or it might be easier to soak a soft cloth in ice water and then gently place it over the affected area, changing as often as necessary. Just remember that any affects you feel after laser hair removal treatments should fade in a very short time, so any discomfort you may have won’t last long.

 Moisturizing creams can also aid in the recovery of the skin in the treated areas. Usually, your practitioner can recommend or even prescribe you a cream for this purpose. Antibacterial creams are not necessary in most cases, and they may cause further drying of the skin if used on the treated area. Between laser treatments, it is best to maintain the health of your skin in general. By using a daily moisturizer, especially on the areas that will undergo laser treatments, you will ensure that your skin will be healthy and supple during your next treatments. This will help you obtain optimum results from your laser treatments.

 For the first few days after laser treatments, it is best to avoid shaving the treated area. After about four days or so, shaving can be resumed. However, waxing, tweezing, bleaching, and plucking are not advisable any time during laser hair removal treatments, including any time between treatments. To cleanse the treated area in the days after treatment, simply use a gentle cleanser on the area. Avoid strong soaps that may cause drying of the skin. After a few days, you can expect the hair in the treated area to begin to shed. This is often mistaken for regrowth of hair, but this is not the case. The shedding of hair in the treated area is a normal part of the treatment and recovery process.

 After laser hair removal treatment, it is absolutely crucial that you avoid exposing the treated area to sunlight. Even a small amount of sun exposure can cause irritation and burning on the treated areas of skin. In addition to this, any darkening of the skin due to sun exposure can impact the effectiveness of any follow-up treatments you will have. Darker skin is more likely to burn during laser hair removal treatments. If you know your skin will be exposed to sunlight, be sure to put a generous amount of sun screen on the area. Sun screen with an SPF of 30 or higher is recommended.

 Your practitioner may recommend that you come back in a week or so after treatment so they have a chance to see how your skin and hair react to the treatments. At this time, you can discuss with them any further questions you may have about recovery and care. Then you and your practitioner can decide how and when further treatments will be conducted.