by JULIA OLIVAS
Having unwanted hair can make you feel like you want to cover your skin. While there are ways to remove unwanted hair, such as shaving or waxing, those options are only temporary. Luckily, laser hair removal is an effective solution for removing unwanted hair without having to worry about daily shaving or weekly waxes. Laser hair removal is a safe and effective way to remove body hair, making it one of the most popular medspa treatments. Of course, if you plan to have laser hair removal, you should know a few things. Here are tips for how to prepare for hair removal.
Don’t Wax Or Tweeze
There’s no reason to wax or tweeze your hair before having your hair removed with a laser. Lasers target the hair follicles, so it’s best to have longer body hair in the areas you want to get laser hair removal. Therefore, you should avoid waxing and tweezing for at least six weeks before your appointment to allow the laser to locate the follicles.
Luckily, you can still shave before your laser hair removal treatment because the blades cut the hair at the skin’s surface rather than at the follicle. Therefore, the laser will still be able to locate and target hair follicles. However, don’t shave the day of your appointment because it can further irritate your skin.
Avoid Sunlight
While you might want to show your legs off, you should avoid direct sunlight for at least 72 hours before your appointment. Laser light is safe, but it uses heat on the skin’s surface, so if you have a sunburn, the laser’s heat can burn and cause scarring, especially if your skin is already sensitive after spending time in the sun.
Avoid Creams And Makeup
If you’re having laser hair removal done on your face or anywhere else on your body, you’ll need to avoid makeup and creams before your appointment. Instead, arrive at your appointment completely bare, with nothing on your skin. Bathing is still safe, but creams can cover the skin and block the laser’s ability to penetrate the skin.
Bring Pain Meds
Laser hair removal is typically pain-free, but it can be uncomfortable for those with a low pain tolerance. You can take a mild painkiller before your laser treatment if you’re worried it might hurt. But, of course, always consult your laser technician to ensure what you’re taking is safe before the procedure.
Wear Appropriate Clothing
There’s no reason to dress to impress when you go to a laser hair removal spa. Instead, you’ll want to wear loose clothing or clothing that will leave the treated area bare. This is because the treated area will have a topical cream applied after treatment and tight clothes can make your skin feel uncomfortable since it will be more sensitive after laser hair removal.
Know What To Expect
While laser hair removal is safe, it’s normal to have some anxiety if it’s your first time. Knowing what to expect is a great way to reduce any stress you might feel before treatment. Also, the procedure length depends on your treatment area. Larger treatment areas will take more time, while smaller ones will be much quicker. Sessions can last a few minutes or a few hours, depending on your needs.
When your technician is ready to begin the session, you’ll receive protective eye gear to protect your eyes from the laser. When the laser turns on, and your technician begins the session, you’ll feel a slight stinging sensation through a series of pulses. While this process can be uncomfortable, it’s not necessarily painful.
Once the session is over, you may experience some swelling in the area, but it’s typically safe to resume normal activities as long as they don’t involve direct sunlight.
Schedule A Consultation
If you haven’t already scheduled a consultation, you should always have one before scheduling laser hair removal. Most spas require that you have a consultation before booking the service to ensure laser hair removal is a good idea based on your skin. Additionally, a consultation will give you an opportunity to learn about the procedure and get a quote for treatment.
At your consultation, your technician will ask you a series of questions and inspect your skin. During the initial meeting, your technician will discuss your options with you, which may include how many sessions you’ll need and what you can expect. Your technician will also make it clear that laser hair removal is not a permanent solution, so you’ll have to get touch-ups every now and then to ensure the hair doesn’t grow back. This is also the best time to ask questions about the treatment.
Consider If It’s Right For You
Before you schedule your appointment, you should take the time to determine if laser hair removal is right for you. Even though your technician may say you have ideal skin for the treatment, you’ll also need to consider the cost of treatment. Laser hair removal costs depend on the location of the spa, the size of the area being treated, and how much your technician charges for their fees. Ultimately, laser hair removal is more expensive upfront than razors or wax, but it can save you money over time since you won’t need to shave as often.
Final Thoughts
Laser hair removal is a common cosmetic treatment because it’s effective at removing unwanted hair anywhere on the body. Laser hair removal is ideal for individuals with healthy skin who want to reduce the time they spend plucking, waxing, and shaving every week.
Of course, before you schedule your appointment, you’ll need to go to a consultation where a technician will inspect your skin to determine the best treatment. In some cases, you may only need one laser hair removal session, while in others, you may need a treatment every six weeks for a few months. Knowing what to expect can ease any anxiety you might have. Additionally, you must determine whether laser hair removal is worth the cost. For example, if you don’t need to shave, pluck, or wax your stubborn unwanted hair frequently, you may not need laser hair removal.
Julia Olivas
Julia Olivas graduated from San Francisco State University with her B.A. in Communication Studies. She is a freelance writer where she loves sharing her passion for digital marketing and content creation. Outside of writing, she loves cooking, reading, painting, and her pup Ruby.
