Regardless of being in the times of body hair acceptance, some of us simply want it off. And, that’s perfectly okay. Many of us have gone through the regular procedures of waxing and shaving, removal cream. Although, most of them haven’t been terrible options in most cases, they either leave ingrown hairs, grow back thicker or too fast. This is why we have decided to give laser hair removal a try.
We want to share what we think are some key things you should know before going into this hair-free journey. We’ll keep it as simple as possible.
First thing you should know about is the sun. Just like how we seek shade on those scorching hot days, your skin needs to avoid sun exposure before getting laser hair removal as much as possible. The reason is because when your skin is burned, it can make the laser treatment less effective and even cause some complications. And we want the smoothest ride possible on this journey for all of us.
Now, let’s move on to the prep work. It might go against every instinct, but sticking to shaving instead of waxing or plucking before your sessions is essential. The laser targets hair follicles, and for it to do its job, those follicles need to be present. By shaving, you keep the follicle in place but clear the way for the laser to do its thing. Remember, shaving is good, waxing/plucking, not so much—in this case.
Patience, they say, is a virtue, especially when it comes to laser hair removal. It takes about 8-12 treatments to fully get rid of those hairs, spread over 4-6 weeks. We know, it seems like a lot, but good things take time. In between treatments, if you see some hairs growing, go ahead and shave. Yes, we said that twice just for emphasis: Shave, don’t wax please.
After the treatment, you might want to go straight into your usual routine, but we suggest that you hold on for a while. We suggest avoiding the gym or hot showers for a day or two. Here’s why: heat can create a ground for bacteria on your treated skin, because your skin is still hot from the laser and we definitely don’t want that for you.
A few days before and after your procedure, it’s wise to skip any scrubs. Your skin will be a bit sensitive, and scrubs can be too harsh during this time. Instead, we suggest shifting towards hydrating products more. Keeping your skin moisturized and happy plays a big part in the recovery process.
In the end, what we want to say is, your journey to laser hair removal might require a bit of patience and preparation, but think of the smooth, carefree days ahead. Make sure to embrace the process, follow the simple guidelines, and you’ll be on your way to enjoying the results. Remember, we’re all in this together, exploring and learning about what works best for our bodies. Speaking of which, it’s advisable to do what is like a laser version of a patch test, where you try it out of a part of your skin to watch the reaction before fully diving into the removal treatment.
