With the warmer months, you may consider laser skin or hair removal, this will reduce your heat a bit because you won’t have to book weekly appointments at the salon, eventually, you will have extra time on your body. Though, laser hair removal has become one of the most popular hair removal techniques in recent years. Advances in laser-based technologies for skin and cosmetic laser treatments have made the process a safer and better alternative to electrolysis.
Laser treatment is an effective way to settle minor imperfections and revitalize your skin. Before getting laser treatment for hair or skin to determine which laser treatment is best for you and how you can prepare the treatment, or get impressive results and avoid serious side effects It is important to know these basic tips.
Table of Contents
- Reviewing Your Medical History
- Do Not Wax or Tweeze
- Laser Treatment Cannot Get Rid of an Active Scar
- You May Have to Make Some Lifestyle Changes Before Treatment
- Remove Makeup or Cream
- Have Realistic Expectations
- The Conclusion
Reviewing Your Medical History
During your consultation, you will be asked about your medical history. It is especially important to inform the doctor if you have a tendency to develop cold sores or if you have any other medical conditions, including allergies. Tell the doctor if you are currently taking any medications or supplements, or if you have previously used Accutane or Retin-A. If applicable, the doctor may ask you about your former facial skincare treatments.
Do Not Wax or Tweeze
If you are going for a laser hair treatment, do not tweeze, wax, or pluck the treated area between or before the session, just shave that area. Shaving before your session is fine, as long as you use a new blade. If you use a previously used blade, you are risking contact dermatitis, which can be brought on by bacteria. Stay out of the sun for two weeks before your treatment, or your skin may become pigmented. It is a good idea to avoid caffeine 24 hours before your session. Be sure to talk to our licensed professionals about any medication you are taking, as antibiotics sometimes increase photosensitivity.
Laser Treatment Cannot Get Rid of an Active Scar
Thanks to recent advances in medicine, lasers are becoming treatments for dermatologists for many scars. The laser can be effective to regrow acne scars, but for active acne, you may want to opt for treatment with blue or blue-red light, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends.
According to a study published in the May-June 2015 issue of the Indian Dermatology Online Journal, IPL and photodynamic light therapy may help reduce inflammation and acne scars, but they would have been less effective on whiteheads and blackheads, or cysts or nodules.
You May Have to Make Some Lifestyle Changes Before Treatment
To recover well from laser treatment and get the best results, dermatologists recommend that patients:
- Quit smoking at least 2 weeks before laser treatment.
- Stop taking vitamin E, aspirin, and other medications and supplements that may delay treatment.
- Stop using skin care products that contain retinoids or glycolic acid for 2 to 4 weeks.
- If you are at risk of having a cold sore, take medication to prevent a cold sore.
- Avoid sunlight, tanning beds, or sunlamps. If you have tan or sunburn then you cannot be treated.
Remove Makeup or Cream
Beauty products should not be used before laser hair removal treatments because some ingredients in those products may alter the effect of laser hair removal. This includes deodorant, makeup, lotion, ointments, and anything applied topically in the area. Just use soap and water to clean the skin that will be treated. If a makeup remover is used, make sure to wash that area with water afterward.
Have Realistic Expectations
It takes more than one session to see unprecedented results. Once you complete your treatment plan, you should expect long hair loss! It is also important to note that no laser clinic can claim 100 percent hair removal, as some hairs will always try to grow back. Redevelopment can be influenced by hormones and other biological factors that may vary from one person to another.
The Conclusion
Although laser treatment is generally considered non-surgical, not all downtime is free. Laser treatment recovery time majorly depending on the type of laser used, as well as an individual’s health and healing rate.
You should see an immediate difference in your treated skin. Relying upon the laser treatment, your skin may remain pink or red for a few months. Your skin may continue to improve for one year and the improvement may last for many years.
