Top 8 Laser Hair Removal Tips

1. Trim every area you want hair removed before your session.

Once the laser goes off, it’s going to burn off not just the root but the hair as well. Save yourself the extra pain by shaving it all off before your treatment. You can do this at home or have your laser technician do this for you in exchange for a nominal fee.

2. Don’t do any extreme physical exertion afterwards.

This means no gym, hiking (I hear its all the rage in LA), sauna, swimming, hot showers, etc. All this to say, avoid creating a warm, cozy environment for bacteria to thrive in. This will increase your chances of having acne, folliculitis, and nasty infections.

3. Stay away from the sun.

You should always use sunscreens anyway, but double down whenever you have laser hair removal. This goes for areas that are exposed like the legs and the face. Underarms and such should be okay. Exposing skin after treatment can cause hyperpigmentation which can darken your skin in certain areas.

4. Postpone your acids.

If you incorporate acids in your skincare routine—you might want to give it a rest for a few days. This includes BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) and AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids). Chemical peels are a no-no as well, like glycolic acids, lunchtime peels, etc. Retinol can be irritating as well.

5. No waxing, epilating, or plucking.

These type of procedure take out the root of the hair, which is essential in the laser hair removal process. The process of eliminating hair growth is disabling the bulb or the root of the follicle. If it’s not there—there’s nothing to work on! Shaving will do just fine for the at least a month before your treatment.

6. Make sure your clinic has a compatible machine for your skin and hair type.

Not all laser hair removal machines are made the same. Some technology like IPL can only work on light skin and dark hair. The only laser technology that can be effective on dark skin with dark hair is Nd:YAG. There are a lot of brands that use this, so make sure to check with your provider that they are using this before booking multiple sessions.

7. Work with a board-certified dermatologist or surgeon.

There are a lot of salons and spas that offer laser hair removal because of its popularity with clients. Every person has unwanted hair and everyone wants it done quick and affordable. Unfortunately, there are a ton of horror stories about cheap medispas that leave clients with not just ineffective treatments but scars and burns. This is from inexperienced or unlicensed technicians that don’t have the training to use a laser machine. A surgeon or dermatologist will work with the highest of medical standards and assure a fully safe medical environment. Better safe than sorry!

You can check out doctors in your area through the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery: https://www.asds.net/

8. Be consistent with your appointments.

Results from laser hair removal will not come with just one or two sessions. It takes as much as 6-10 treatments before you see permanent results. Skipping your monthly appointments will only delay, and worse, might reset your program. Just put it in your calendar in advance to make sure you’re prepared for it every 4 weeks!