One of the most popular uses of lasers in aesthetic medicine is for hair removal. Laser treatment can be effective at eliminating unwanted hair from just about anywhere on your body.* If you’ve been thinking about kicking those razors to the curb and giving laser hair removal a try, make sure to do your part by following these tips to get the best possible results.
1. Don’t Pluck, Tweeze or Wax Before Treatment
Laser hair removal works by destroying your hair follicles. If you yank the whole hair shaft out, the lasers don’t really have much of a job to do, so you won’t get the best from your laser hair removal treatment. If you don’t enjoy looking like Sasquatch as you await your appointment, you can shave between sessions.
2. Avoid Sun Exposure After Laser Hair Removal
At your consultation, tell your dermatologist about any medications you are currently taking.
Your skin will be more sensitive to sun exposure after a laser hair removal, so you’ll need to avoid the sun for at least 6 weeks after treatment. Also (and this should go without saying), stay away from the tanning booth. You could damage your skin and even complicate your next treatment session.
3. Don’t Take Medications That Could Cause Photosensitivity
The last thing you want to do is exacerbate your treated skin’s sun sensitivity by taking drugs known to cause photosensitivity. Doing so could cause an adverse skin reaction to laser treatment. Some medications to look out for include popular acne treatments Retin-A and Accutane. Ibuprofen and Motrin can also have this effect, along with several other over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
For the best laser hair removal results, follow your dermatologist’s instructions and make sure to ask your laser hair removal questions in advance. The wonders worked by the laser light is just one part of getting the best possible outcome. The other part is you taking good care of the treated area before and after.
*This information is for education only, and is not meant as a guarantee of results. Your results may vary.
