How to Prepare Your Skin for Laser Hair Removal

With summer right around the corner, you may be thinking it’s time to start laser hair removal so you can take endless shaving, painful waxing, and tedious tweezing off your to-do list. Though laser hair removal is an effective long-term solution for getting rid of unwanted hair, there are steps you need to take before starting treatment.

At Montclair Rejuvenation Center in Verona, New Jersey, our aesthetic specialists can help you get started. Unlike other aesthetic treatments, laser hair removal requires preparation before we can begin your treatment. Knowing some of the steps you need to take beforehand may mean we can get your treatment going a lot sooner. 

Schedule your laser hair removal consultation

It may not come as a big surprise that laser hair removal is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the United States. After all, not having to deal with unwanted hair is a major beauty benefit. And with advances in aesthetic technology, laser hair removal is safe and effective.

However, before we start any treatment, we conduct a comprehensive evaluation to make sure laser hair removal is right for you. We use the advanced Venus Versa™ system for our laser hair removal treatments.

The innovative aesthetic tool uses intense-pulsed light (IPL) that targets the hair follicle under your skin. The energy heats and destroys the hair follicle to prevent further hair growth. 

Venus Versa is safe for all skin types. However, you may not be a candidate for laser hair removal if you have an underlying health condition such as cancer, epilepsy, or a skin disorder. We also don’t recommend laser hair removal for women who are pregnant or nursing. 

Staying out of the sun

When considering laser hair removal, it’s important to know that you need to avoid sun exposure before and after treatment. Sun exposure may decrease the effectiveness of your treatments and increase your risk of developing post-treatment complications.  

To get the best results with the fewest risks, you may need to take steps to protect your skin from the sun up to six weeks before you start laser hair removal. When out in the sun, cover up with clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and large sunglasses, as well as regular application of sunscreen.

We also recommend you continue to avoid the sun for up to six weeks after laser hair removal. Laser therapy makes your skin very sensitive and sun exposure too soon after treatment may cause areas of hyperpigmentation.

Stop plucking and waxing

We also need you to stop tweezing and waxing about four weeks before we start your laser hair removal. These hair removing techniques disturb the hair follicle and may affect the outcome of your laser hair removal. 

You can continue to shave, however. In fact, we request that you shave the area undergoing laser hair removal one day before your session. Shaving removes the surface hair without disturbing the follicle and prevents skin damage during treatment. 

Prepare for a series of sessions

Hair grows in cycles, which means not all of your hair follicles are active at the same time. To get the best results from your laser hair removal sessions, we recommend a series of treatments. 

Most of our patients need four to six treatments spaced at four to eight week intervals. You need to continue to follow the preparation guidelines throughout your series of laser hair removal sessions. 

Though laser hair removal takes time and commitment, the end result is worth it. To schedule your consultation, call our office or book an appointment online today to schedule.