Laser Hair Removal

You need to find a good doctor or qualified laser technician. The laws vary state to state as to who can operate certain lasers. Having been an expert witness in laser burn cases, I cannot stress this enough. If you’re getting your laser hair removal treatments done at the same place you’re getting your haircut, you might want to reconsider.  Below, I will address how to properly prepare for your laser hair removal procedure.

Pre-Laser Hair Removal Treatment 

During your consultation, a review of medications, skin disorders, scarring and previous laser treatments will be reviewed. Keep in mind that this is an out of pocket expense – this is an elective procedure not covered by insurance.

You will be given specific instructions that will include: staying out of the sun (or tanning booths) before treatment. Tanned skin will not be treated as it increases your risk of burning. This includes spray on tans. So if you’ve recently tanned, gone to a tanning booth, or received a spray tan at a spa, it is best to wait until after your tan fades to receive treatment. 

You will be asked to stop plucking or waxing for a few weeks prior to treatment and to restrict hair removal to shaving. This is often difficult for those seeking treatment for facial hair but it is a necessity. You will be told at least 5 treatments will be necessary anywhere from 6-8 weeks apart, depending on the area and how fast your hair grows.

Laser Hair Removal Treatment

You are usually expected to come to your appointment with the area to be treated already shaved. If you forgot to do this, a razor will be provided. A topical anesthetic may be used for sensitive areas such as the bikini.

During treatment, you will be wearing special colored goggles to protect your eyes. You may feel a cooling spray or cooling device on the tip of the laser handpiece at the time of treatment. The laser pulse itself feels something like a rubber band snap. A small treatment area such as the chin will take a minute or two; larger areas such as the back or legs will take about 10-15 minutes.

Post-Laser Hair Removal Treatment 

After treatment, expect to have some mild redness or welts in the treated area. This usually resolves within a few hours. You will be told to avoid sun exposure, especially in the first two weeks after each treatment and to use a SPF of 30 on exposed areas. During the first 7-10 days after each treatment, the hair follicles that were treated will grow out and fall out.  It will be a few weeks before you begin to see hair growth as you enter a new cycle.

Possible Side-Effects of Laser Hair Removal

The probability of having any severe or lasting side effects of laser hair removal are quite slim. However, it is common to experience slight irritation, redness and swelling around the area being treated post-procedure. If, however, you are experiencing blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin pigment or texture, it is highly likely your treatment was done improperly.

Likewise, if you experience any severe symptoms or signs of an infection such as fever, pus, bleeding or severe pain lasting more than a day, contact a medical professional right away.  These are not normal occurrences post laser hair removal and should not occur when the treatment is done correctly. If you have any concerns regarding your treatment or the risks of complications, you should address these directly with your doctor or laser hair removal provider.