Imagine a procedure that not only makes you look and feel better but knocks a tedious chore off your evergrowing to-do list. Hello, laser hair removal. Arguably one of the most convenient aesthetic treatments available, it can save you both time and money, in the long run, by eliminating the need for routine plucking, waxing, and shaving.
Whether you’re considering getting this treatment for the first time or you’re a seasoned pro, there are a few key things to avoid, both before and after laser hair removal, to promote skin safety and achieve the best hair-removal results.
Keep reading to discover what leading dermatologists advise for both pre- and post-laser hair removal care.
What not to do before laser hair removal
1. Don’t skimp on finding the best provider
First things first: as with any aesthetic treatment, do your due diligence to find an experienced laser hair removal specialist—especially if your skin is richly pigmented.
“People with dark skin tones require special lasers that won’t damage the skin and that target only the hair,” explains Dr. Bruce Katz, a board-certified dermatologic surgeon in New York City. If your skin is melanin rich, “it’s important to go to an experienced board-certified dermatologist so you don’t get burned by the laser.”
In the past, skin damage from lasers was more likely if you had dark skin, but according to Dr. Dennis Gross, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, technological advancements have made modern laser hair removal safe and effective for all skin tones. However, he too suggests getting this treatment from a highly trained medical professional who has access to the most cutting-edge hair-removal lasers.
“In my practice, we use the GentleMax Pro, which provides the safest treatments for fair and dark skin tones,” he explains. “It uses two lasers: one for fair skin, the alexandrite, and the Nd:YAG, which has a weaker melanin absorption rate and longer wavelengths, making it safe to use on dark skin tones.”
If you’re apprehensive about getting laser hair removal for the first time, Dr. Gross says, this combination of technologies is ideal, as it will allow customization not only based on your skin tone but also your hair type.
2. Don’t pluck or wax hair in the weeks before your appointment
Dr. Gross says that laser hair removal prep should begin about six weeks before your first session. “During this time, you should stop plucking or waxing in the area that’s being treated, because it can disturb the hair follicle and decrease the effectiveness of the laser treatment,” he explains. Moreover, it’s important to allow your hair to grow from the follicle up—ideally, so it’s at least a quarter of an inch long—in order for the laser treatment to be successful.
On top of halting plucking and waxing hair in the area being treated, he adds that you should also avoid using any kind of depilatory cream within this period—as well as any hair-bleaching products. “Laser hair removal works by targeting hair that is darker than your skin,” Dr. Katz continues, “so you need the hair to be darker for your treatment to be effective.”
3. Don’t expose your skin to the sun
While sun safety is essential for people of all ages and skin tones year-round, it’s especially important to avoid excess sun exposure in the weeks leading up to your laser hair removal session.
This includes everyday UV exposure—say, on your walk to work or if you exercise outdoors—as well as tanning “from the sun and/or sunless tanning products, because it increases the risk of [hypopigmentation] and potential skin injury,” from the laser, Dr. Gross explains. And if you’ve developed a tan, he recommends waiting until it fades completely before booking your laser hair removal appointment.
Again, it bears repeating that you should protect your skin from the sun on a daily basis, both by avoiding direct exposure as best you can and applying (and reapplying) adequate sunscreen. “Continue to use sunscreen daily, to keep skin protected from the sun, but ramp it up even more in the four to six weeks before treatment,” Dr. Katz advises. Opt for sunscreen with an SPF range of 30 to 50+, taking extra caution to apply it on the entire area being treated.
4. Don’t apply active skin-care ingredients in the days leading up to your treatment
Before your treatment, forgo any products in your skin-care regimen that contain strong active ingredients, including:
- Retinoid/retinol
- AHAs
- BHAs
- Benzoyl peroxide
Dr. Katz notes that these potent ingredients—as well as physical exfoliants, like scrubs—have the potential to weaken the skin barrier, which may result in an increased risk of skin damage from the laser. “Laser hair removal uses light to target the hair follicles, and increased photosensitivity [from these products] can result in skin burning,” Dr. Gross adds.
Swap in gentler products to replace the ones containing these active ingredients for at least two to three days (or up to a week, if your skin is sensitive/reactive), on and around the area being treated.
5. Don’t take certain medications and substances close to your appointment
As your treatment date approaches, you’ll want to avoid certain medications and beverages. Dr. Gross says these include “medications such as blood thinners, NSAIDs, and pain relievers, as they can cause sun sensitivity.” While he advises stopping intake in the days leading up to your laser hair removal appointment, he notes that you should consult your doctor to ensure it’s safe for you to temporarily pause use.
Within 24 hours of your treatment, Dr. Katz recommends avoiding alcohol and caffeine. “to help reduce inflammation and help prevent any adverse effects,” he shares.
6. Don’t apply products on the day of your appointment
On the day of your laser hair removal treatment, both doctors recommend going in with clean, dry skin that’s free of lotions, creams, oils, cosmetics, and the like. Ultimately, Dr. Katz says the point is to avoid any topical products “that would be a barrier between the laser treatment and the hair on your skin.”
If you’re getting laser hair removal on your underarms, this includes deodorant as well, so be sure to skip your morning swipe.
7. Don’t wear tight clothes on the area being treated
Lastly, if you’re getting laser hair removal on your body (rather than your face), don’t wear tight or abrasive clothing to your appointment. “Loose-fitting clothing will leave breathing room for the treated area and ensure it is not irritated by clothes rubbing [against your skin],” notes Dr. Gross.
What not to do after laser hair removal
1. Don’t expose your skin to heat (including the kind generated by exercise)
Following your laser hair removal treatment, your skin will be extra sensitive, so take added care straight away to prevent further irritation. “For the first 24 hours, you’ll want to avoid exposing the treated area to excessive heat,” Dr. Gross shares, which means avoiding hot showers, baths, saunas, hot tubs, and things of that nature. Instead, opt for cool or lukewarm water, to support skin recovery post-laser.
On a similar note, Dr. Katz recommends holding off on exercising the day of your treatment, but he says you should be good to resume workouts the day after.
2. Don’t stay out in the sun
There are several similarities between pre- and post-laser hair removal care, and it’s not surprising to discover that taking heightened measures to promote sun safety is chief among them.
“Continue to avoid sun exposure and tanning for at least two weeks post treatment, as it can cause hyperpigmentation, burns, and scarring,” Dr. Gross advises. “Since your skin is very sensitive during this time, it’s important to protect it by wearing a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily, rain or shine.”
Dr. Katz also suggests wearing UV-protective clothing as well as a wide-brimmed hat (if you get laser hair removal on your face), to minimize the risk of post-laser skin damage.
3. Don’t resume your regular skin-care regimen just yet
“Continue to avoid skin-care ingredients that cause photosensitivity for [at least] two to three days after your first session,” says Dr. Gross, referring to the chemical and physical exfoliants, retinoids, and other potent actives you swore off prior to laser hair removal. “Instead, opt for a gentle cleanser and a barrier-repairing moisturizer to use on the treated areas,” to support healing and help prevent damage.
Itching to reintegrate exfoliants and retinoids back into your routine? To do so as safely as possible, Dr. Katz advises waiting up to a week after your treatment, though tolerance varies from one person to another. And in the meantime, if you’re battling bumps, swelling, or sensitivity in the days following your treatment, “the best thing to do is apply a cool compress to the area a few times a day,” he adds.
4. Don’t book aesthetic treatments soon after laser hair removal
To ensure the safety and efficacy of all treatments, Dr. Gross says, it’s best to leave adequate time between your laser hair removal and other aesthetic appointments.
“You should refrain from Botox injections, dermal filler, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion in the treatment area for at least two weeks after laser hair removal,” he shares, so plan ahead and space out these appointments accordingly.
5. Don’t expect results overnight
Finally, both experts remind us that laser hair removal is a process that yields the best results with multiple sessions from one month to the next. And while you’ll likely notice a reduction in the thickness and length of hair after your first session, stay the course as advised by your provider, to maximize and maintain benefits.
“After each treatment, you’ll leave the office with less hair, and after every treatment you’ll notice that less hair grows back—and the hair that does will be finer and less noticeable,” Dr. Katz explains. However, he says, you’ll still require multiple sessions in the same area in order to permanently stop hair from coming back.
As far as how many treatments you’ll need, Dr. Gross says it varies depending on the area being lasered and the density of your hair. With that said, it “usually takes six or more treatments for 100% hair removal. And although laser hair removal is permanent, some patients can experience minor regrowth after going through a major hormonal change, such as pregnancy or menopause,” he explains. Still, Dr. Gross notes that hair regrowth due to hormones shouldn’t resume to the same extent as before your treatments, and one or two follow-up laser hair removal sessions should be sufficient to get back to being hair-free.
