How To Prepare For Laser Hair Removal
First time getting laser hair removal?
We’ve got you covered!
Laser hair removal can be a daunting prospect if it’s your first time, but don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. Laser treatment is an excellent option if you’re tired of the energy (and cost!) of traditional hair removal techniques like waxing or epilating.
From explaining what laser hair removal actually is to what you should do before your first session, this article will help you feel prepared for the whole process.
What is laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is a treatment to semi-permanently remove hair by destroying hair follicles using pulses of laser light.
How does laser feel?
The laser feels different to everyone – you may feel a slight sting or some heat, but some clients don’t feel a thing! The treatment reacts differently depending on several factors, including hair colour and thickness and skin type and pain threshold. Additionally, most people claim that any discomfort tends to lessen with every treatment.
Lasers are designed to counteract any heat sensations with built-in cooling technology. This limits the heat felt by the client, with some people even feeling cold during their sessions.
Before your first treatment:
1. Have a consultation
Everyone’s body and skin sensitivity are different, which is why it’s important that you get a consultation with a clinician before proceeding with laser hair removal. During a consultation, one of our professionals will ask you about the treatment you’d like and any relevant information about your medical history. They will also perform a ‘patch test’ to ensure that you don’t have any adverse reactions to the laser treatment.
What’s a patch test?
A patch test is a common practice across the beauty industry to check that you’re a suitable candidate for a particular treatment. For laser hair removal, one of our laser experts will apply the laser to a small part of the body at least 24 hours before treatment. It’s nothing to worry about – just a safety precaution to test your skin’s sensitivity when in contact with our laser technology.
2. How to prepare for your first appointment
During your consultation, your clinician will likely have given you advice about preparing for your first treatment. This ensures that the laser hair removal works its magic, and you see the best results! Here are a few of our top tips:
- Don’t wax: When you wax or pluck your hair, you remove the follicle – the very thing that laser is designed to destroy. So before your first appointment, ensure you have 4-6 weeks of total hair growth.
- Don’t bleach your hair – laser hair removal works best on darker hair follicles.
- Skip the suntan: Whether it’s a real tan or from the bottle, tanned skin can be a dangerous combination with laser hair removal technology as it makes you more susceptible to being burned by the laser. As a precaution, allow at least a month after tanning to get your appointment.
- Clean the hair removal site before your appointment
- Shave the day before – make sure you shave around 24 hours before your appointment using a non-perfumed product for best results. For an optimum shave, exfoliate the area 3-4 days before your treatment.
- Wear loose clothes and underwear on the day of your appointment.
- Don’t forget our cancellation policy. If you change your plans, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can reschedule your visit, but no later than 48 hours in advance!
On the day
- You’ll have to undress where necessary so that the clinician can access the hair removal area. They will check that the area has been prepped, tidy up any bits you may have missed, and ensure the area is clean.
- They will cover up any moles, spots or tattoos with a white pen to protect them from the laser.
- You may be offered numbing cream, but you don’t have to use it!
- Looking at a laser with the naked eye can be dangerous, so your clinician will ask you to put on special goggles to protect yourself.
- Our laser experts are very experienced, and they want you to be comfortable! They may do this by applying cold air to the treatment area if necessary and performing the laser treatment in short spurts. Remember, they can adjust the machine settings to the appropriate power to make the experience more pleasant, so feel free, to be honest about how the treatment is going!
- We know that privacy is essential, which is why your clinician will always keep your bikini area covered with towels when it’s not being treated.
- Hooray, you’ve completed your first laser hair removal treatment! Your clinician will apply aloe vera to the hair removal sites to soothe the area, but you can do it yourself if you’d prefer.
Aftercare
Laser is designed to attack the hair follicle, not your skin, but there are still things you can do to give yourself the most comfortable laser experience.
- In the first 24 hours, you may want to continue using aloe vera gel to soothe the area. Any redness should disappear within a few days.
- You should also avoid:
- Direct sunlight
- Heavy chemical products or lubricants
- Hot baths or showers
If you’re planning on going on holiday immediately before or after your appointment, you should consult your clinician. Everyone is different, but most people are ready for their next treatment after about 4-6 weeks.