Can you wax before laser hair removal? The short answer is yes.
If you’re planning on getting laser hair removal done, you’ve probably seen some buzz about how it’s important to not get waxed before your appointment. But what does that mean? Why would anyone want to get their body waxed at all? And how can you be sure that you won’t mess up your laser hair removal appointment if you do?
We’re here to help. We’ll talk about why people get laser hair removal done in the first place, and then we’ll explore whether or not waxing before a laser treatment is safe for your skin and body.
In this article, we will discuss about how long can you wax before laser hair removal and forgot to shave before laser hair removal.
What to Do Before Laser Hair Removal on Face
Firstly, before you undergo laser treatment, you must not expose the treated area to the sun or a sun bed. A sunscreen of SPF 30, or preferably a total sun block of SPF 50, should be applied whenever exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
You must avoid plucking, waxing or bleaching the hair for six weeks prior to treatment. Preserving the root and the pigment of the hair is imperative for the success of the laser treatment.
It is important to shave the area to be treated the day or night before your appointment. Doing this will prevent thermal injury to the surface of the skin as there won’t be hair on the surface to absorb the laser’s energy. It will allow the laser to go directly to the hair follicle. It will also let the skin heal in case the surface is cut whilst shaving.
During Laser Hair Removal
During the procedure, certain safety considerations are important. The patient and any other person in the laser room needs protective eye wear to prevent the risk of damage to the retina. A jet of chilled air is used with the laser to minimise epidermal damage and increase patient comfort. The use of a local anesthetic is optional.
After Laser Hair Removal
Immediately following treatment, the area may show erythema (redness and some swelling) around the follicles, which looks similar to large goose bumps.
Around 2 or 3 weeks after a laser hair removal treatment, 10 to 20% of the treated hairs will fall out. During the healing phase, the area must be treated delicately. Do not rub or scratch. If a crust develops, let it fall off on its own. Apply a thin layer of aloe vera ointment to the treated area several times a day to keep it moist. Pat the area dry. Do not shave the area if is swollen or crusting.
Apply ice when swelling occurs. Wrap the ice in a clean, soft cloth. Discomfort or stinging may be relieved with Paracetamol. Do not take Ibuprofen or aspirin, as these medicines may react to the laser light. If you need to apply make-up on the area, you must apply and remove it delicately. Excess rubbing can open the treated area and increase the chance of scarring. Avoid sports and strenuous exercise for two days following the treatment for laser hair removal. Walking is encouraged, though.
Avoid very hot baths, showers, steambaths, or saunas, and don’t swim in strong chlorinated water for two or three days. Don’t use bleaching creams or perfume products for 24 to 48 hours. Avoid exfoliating or peeling for one week. Try to avoid wearing tight clothing for two or three days. And if there are signs of infection like pus, tenderness or fever, contact the clinic. Post treatment skincare instructions must be followed to prevent any complications.
How Soon Can You Wax Before Laser Hair Removal
Waxing once took the place of shaving and tweezing, but with the advent of laser hair removal, waxing may soon be obsolete. This new, innovative hair removal method promises permanent hair reduction with quick, pain-free treatments that require no downtime. But, if you want to part ways with your unwanted hair for good, nixing razor bumps, shaving cuts, and ingrown hairs, here’s everything you should know about laser hair removal.
5 Things You Need To Know Before Getting Laser Hair Removal
Patience Is Key
It will take two or three weeks to see results from your first treatment, and 8–12 weeks to get the full results. You will also have to be very regular with your appointments since your hair follicles are all at different stages of growth, therefore, you want to make sure every single one of them gets zapped.
Shave But Do Not Wax Before your Appointment
Shaving before your appointment will allow the laser to easily penetrate the skin and target the hair follicles beneath. If you do not shave, the laser will not be as effective as it will have a hard time penetrating through the coarse hair to get to the follicle. It is recommended that you shave 24 to 48 hours before your appointment to ensure optimal results. You cannot wax since waxing removes the hair follicle, therefore, the laser will have nothing to target to achieve permanent hair removal results.
Treatments Are Quick
Don’t expect to have to sit in a chair for hours on end while your technician targets every individual hair follicle. Laser hair removal methods have advanced technology to allow the laser to cover large surface areas on the body. It will only take roughly 25–30 minutes to laser both legs, whereas underarm treatments may only take 5–7 minutes at most.
Avoid The Sun
Avoid exposing the treatment area to the sun both before and after your laser hair removal sessions. The sun will increase your skin’s sensitivity and may cause burns and hyperpigmentation when the laser is applied. It is also important to avoid exposing the area to the sun after treatment since the skin will be much more sensitive from the laser treatment and will be more susceptible to the harsh effects of UV rays.
Forgot To Shave Before Laser Hair Removal
When you’ve made a commitment and spent a large amount of money on laser hair removal, it’s obvious that you’re prepared to do anything to see the best return on your investment. But your consultation may have lacked the information you need. Or it was just too much information to digest at once. So let see why shaving is important? And what happens if you don’t shave before laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal step by step
The pigment in your hair picks up a light that the laser emits. Here, the light turns into heat that has to reach the root of your hair. For this to work, the hair has to be attached to the follicle, but not visible above the surface of the skin.
What happens if you don’t shave before laser hair removal?
Quite simply, the hair will absorb the energy that was meant to penetrate under the skin in the first place. The energy would burn the hair, leaving the skin with marks and scarring. While wasting away on the surface level of the skin. And ultimately, not giving you the results you’re expecting, and paying for in the first place.
Not to mention; if your hair is dry-shaven during the day, your skin may be more sensitive and irritated. Or, in the worst case, even left with cuts, which would make your skin more susceptible to an adverse reaction. Plus, I felt a lot more sensitive during the laser treatment.
If you ‘re alone and treating areas such as the back, which is hard to manage on your own; please discuss this with your practitioner. Usually, they will be able to offer you complimentary shaving the day before your actual treatment.
