LASER hair removal can save us so much time and energy - but it can also be anxiety-inducing if you've never had it done before and don't know what to expect.
However, even if lasering hair from the most intimate areas, the first thing to know is you should NEVER be embarrassed.
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Here, Kelly the Director at Swann Beauty and laser treatment specialist Laura share are some of the most common mistakes people make, and the tips you NEED to know before your appointment...
Close shave
You might assume that you need hair to attend a hair removal appointment, but actually, it is crucial that you shave BEFORE your laser removal procedure.
This is because any hairs that remain can get overheated and burn so its important that hair is at an absolute minimum but hair follicles are still exposed.
To ensure that the shave is fresh but the skin isnt irritated we recommend that you shave the day before your appointment and not on the day.
However no waxing allowed, as this removes the follicle as well as the hair.
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Shade over sun
To make sure that your laser removal treatment runs smoothly without any burning, scarring or pigmentation you need to make sure that recent sun exposure has been minimal.
Both before and after your appointment you need to use high factor SPF and avoid direct sunlight - especially if you have a summer laser removal appointment.
Wintertime is definitely the best for laser treatments because of the minimal sun exposure, meaning that the skin is in the best condition for the procedure.
This is particularly important for treatments on large areas that are frequently exposed to sun, such as arms and legs.
However this is less important for intimate areas that wont have sun exposure at any time of the year.
We love it when a customer takes the guidance seriously.
Once someone told me that they hadnt left the house for over a week to ensure that they didnt get any sun on their skin - and they were getting the treatment on their intimate area!
The importance of aftercare
People are often so eager to have a hot shower that they ignore the advice to avoid hot water since the heat will irritate their hypersensitive skin.
It is crucial that you follow the aftercare advice or you will experience discomfort and damaged skin, no matter how much you want a shower.
Because your skin will be so sensitive you need to avoid hot baths and showers after your appointment and not use any chemical products or moisturisers on recently lasered skin.
You can use aloe vera and calming creams to reduce any irritation but avoid fragranced moisturisers or anything like that.
After a few weeks, you might notice shedding of hair and the skin can feel rough so at this point we recommend a very, very gentle exfoliation to keep things comfortable, but only very light.
The real risks of burning and blistering come with not following the pre-treatment advice.
This is why we urge clients to strictly avoid sun exposure, heat sources and using products with chemicals in as these all increase skin sensitivity and can cause bad reactions with the lasers.
'We have seen absolutely everything'
Customersits
We get a mix of customers that are totally confident in stripping down and others that are a bit more shy but there really is nothing to be embarrassed about at all!
Often well get really shy people coming in for a lower leg or underarm laser removal session, where body hair is seen as less of a taboo.
But as soon as they realise how relaxed and non-judgemental the process is theyll come right back for chin, lip, or bikini hair removal without any shyness at all.
Theres no such thing as a weird place to have hair - people need to remember that.
Hygiene etiquette
We expect customers to be clean and have showered before their appointment.
If theyve been to the toilet recently we suggest that they clean themselves with a wet wipe to keep things hygienic.
The main thing we say is to be careful with any creams and chemicals in that region as they can react with the lasers.
Stick to simple shower gels that are chemical-free.
Any good practitioner will go through your medical history prior to your laser removal appointment, so be cautious of salons that dont ask.
Its important that you share any changes in medication prior to your appointment, including if youre taking antibiotics or any new medication or supplements.
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So we do recommend that laser treatments are completed when you arent on your period.
You tend to find that you can feel a lot more when on your period, as well as reacting worse emotionally to the pain.
I got intimate laser hair removal as a birthday gift - then the receptionist announced EXACTLY what I'd had done when I paid, it was mortifying
