Are you annoyed with constantly shaving, plucking, or waxing hair from your body? Laser hair removal is a worthwhile investment. With less pain and more accuracy. It’s the easiest way to get rid of or manage your body hair.

If you plan on undergoing laser hair removal, here are a few things you should know to prepare.

How Laser Hair Removal Works

Laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure people undergo if they want to remove hair long-term or permanently. It is commonly used for facial hair, underarms, legs, and the bikini line. Others opt for full-body laser hair removal. Knowing how laser hair removal works can make you more comfortable before undergoing it.

It works because a laser emits light that the hair absorbs, specifically the melanin in the hair. That’s also why it works best for people with dark hair. The light the hair absorbs will convert into heat and damage the hair follicles. Thus, it can stop hair growth or slow it down.

Preparing Mentally and Emotionally

If you plan on getting a laser hair removal procedure, you must prepare a few things.

First, you should manage your expectations. Sometimes, laser hair removal can permanently remove hair. However, there are many cases where it still manages to grow back. Nonetheless, they usually grow slower and sparsely after laser hair removal.

You should also look into relaxation techniques like breathing exercises if you’re too scared of undergoing the procedure.

As for physical preparations, it will depend on the pre-treatment orders of your doctor or specialist. Most of the time, they may ask you to shave, avoid certain medications, or minimize sun exposure.

Researching Laser Hair Removal Providers

Once you’re convinced you should have the procedure, do your research on reputable laser hair removal providers. It would help if you looked at their credentials, as certified healthcare providers are the only ones who should be doing the procedure.

You can also consult professional dermatologic organizations to verify the expertise of the healthcare professional performing laser hair removal.

Aside from their credentials, looking at their customer reviews would be best. There, you’ll find the specifics of their customer service and how thorough of a job they did.

Consultation Phase

One way to get some confirmation on what the laser hair removal procedure will be like is through a consultation. Don’t hesitate to ask as many questions as you want in this phase. 

During this phase, your healthcare professional will examine your general health status. They should determine whether you’re eligible to get a laser hair removal. Most of the time, you’re not allowed to get laser hair removal if:

  • You’re under 18
  • You’re pregnant
  • You have specific skin or hair conditions

The consultation should be the part that determines your eligibility.

Preparing Your Skin

Once approved for laser hair removal, you will do some prep work on your skin. Your provider should advise you to avoid staying in the sun for too long.

Shaving the part of the body that you want lasered is required twenty-four hours before the procedure. However, waxing and plucking are not allowed, even on the days leading up to the procedure.

Avoiding Certain Medications and Products

Your healthcare professional should, upon consultation, tell you which medications and skincare you should avoid before doing the laser hair removal. It’s best to get the specifics with a medical professional on which ones those are, but as a quick reference, here are some examples:

  • Specific kinds of antibiotics
  • Tanning lotions
  • Retinol and retinoids
  • Aspirin
  • Anti-inflammatory medicines
  • Hormone treatments

There are plenty of other skincare examples and medications you must avoid. If you take any medication, it’s best to ask your doctor. The best time to do so is during the consultation phase.

Hydrating and Moisturizing

Lotions and moisturizers should be fine in the days before your procedure. However, moisturizing or even using lotion on your skin on the day of the procedure is not a good idea.

The removal procedure can dry the skin, so moisturizers and creams should be used to prevent that. However, doing so can create extra barriers preventing lasers from reaching the follicles, making the procedure less effective.

On the appointment day, it’s best to avoid any skin treatments. Just keep things clean, especially the parts that will have hair removed.

Planning Your Sessions

Your consultation should also tell you how many sessions it will take to complete the treatment. On average, the removal sessions are around six to eight. However, it depends on the person. The spacing between each session is usually four to six weeks apart. The space between each session can widen if hair growth is already small in the areas you want to be lasered.

Preparing for Pain Management

While laser hair removal shouldn’t be too painful for many, some might be particularly pain-sensitive. Usually, the lasered skin will be more sensitive and tender afterward.

If you need to prepare yourself for the pain, then know that many people describe it like a warm pinprick. Others have said it’s similar to a quick rubber band snap. If that thought scares you, ask your doctor if you can use a topical numbing cream, which you should be able to do. You can also discuss pain management strategies with them.

After the procedure, you can use a cold compress on these areas. Avoiding sunlight on them can also help reduce pain.

Clothing Choices on D-Day

The clothes you wear for your appointment will depend on the parts of the body you want to get lasered.

Wearing a skirt or dress is an excellent choice for bikini line hair removal, as you can still wear a top during the removal. For legs, loose pants or even shorts are great.

You should also wear sleeveless tops or a tank top if you’re doing any hair removal on your arms, underarms, and so on.

Post-Treatment Care

As mentioned earlier, cool compresses are great for soothing the skin after a laser hair treatment. In general, you should wear loose clothing so these areas don’t become irritated by friction. Also, avoid cleaning with hot water. Use cold or lukewarm water instead.

Your doctor may also prescribe a cream for your lasered area. This will avoid irritation and reduce your feelings of discomfort.

Managing Expectations for Results

Laser hair removal isn’t instant. It requires repeated sessions for it to stick, so be patient. These areas will be more sensitive after each session. It would help if you managed your expectations so that you don’t frustrate yourself and can enjoy your results even more.

Following Up with Your Provider

Once you finish the sessions, you should hold a follow-up appointment with your provider. That way, you can ask any questions about the procedure afterward. These usually happen depending on your reaction to the laser procedure or if you need extra special care after all the sessions.

Maintaining Results

You might have to redo the treatments once or twice every year moving forward. However, it saves you the time and energy of having to shave your hair yourself more often than that.

It’s also a good idea to ensure that you follow the session schedules so they’re most impactful.

Conclusion

You should now know how laser hair removal sessions will go for you. Knowing how laser hair removals go and what you can do before and after, you should be fully prepared to undergo the procedure. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to ask your choice of provider.