Mistakes to Avoid When Trying Laser Hair Removal at Home
Mistakes to Avoid When Trying Laser Hair Removal at Home
With at-home laser hair removal, things can go south quickly if they're not done right. Laser hair removal is one of the most popular semi-permanent hair removal procedures on the market; it slows or stunts the growth of the hair by destroying the follicles, but there is still a chance of some regrowth. If any hair does continue to grow, it will be so fine and grow so infrequently that it will be almost negligible. Many people prefer this treatment because of its fast and long-lasting results. It saves you a lot of time and money in the long run in comparison to more traditional methods of hair removal, like waxing or shaving. Home laser hair removal devices have made it easier to use this method. It's no longer necessary to book an appointment and visit a clinic in person for every session. A complete laser hair removal procedure can take several sessions over the course of weeks or months. This makes laser hair removal devices immensely popular among people who have busy lives and want to have laser hair removal sessions in the comfort and convenience of their own homes. However, there are some precautions that need to be taken to make the entire process as safe as possible and reduce the chance of experiencing side effects.
Pre-Treatment Care
When you have sessions at a clinic, the professionals there give you information about the product and pre- and post-treatment care. If you are using home laser hair removal instead, there are a few things you should know:
The area you are treating must be clean-shaven. A home laser hair removal device uses the concentration of light on a particular area of your skin to destroy follicles, so the presence of hair may cause burns. In order for the laser to be both safe and effective, as much hair as possible should be removed first.
The concentrated beam of light used in laser hair removal is designed to damage hair follicles without damaging the surrounding tissue. However, to be completely safe, it's best to avoid prolonged UV exposure for seven days prior to treatment. If you have recently tanned or sunburned skin, then you need to wait at least two weeks to start treatment. Otherwise, the procedure can cause additional damage to the skin.
The area you are treating needs to be thoroughly cleaned to ensure that the procedure will be effective. It is recommended to avoid artificial tanning products for at least seven days before the treatment. If you regularly use self-tanners, you should also exfoliate the area to remove any residual color. Any product used on the skin has to be removed before the treatment starts.
Occasionally, the procedure can cause some amount of discomfort. You may experience a slight burning or tingling sensation or visible redness of the area. This is considered normal, and it will usually subside within a few hours. However, as a precaution, you can apply a numbing cream to the area 30 to 40 minutes before the procedure starts. Most numbing creams require a prescription, but some over-the-counter products are available.
If the procedure is being used on facial hair, there should be no trace of makeup at all on the skin. The face has to be thoroughly cleaned before the treatment starts.
No other laser treatments or chemical peels should be used on the area you are treating. It's best to avoid any other skin procedure for two weeks before and after the laser hair removal process.
You should not use any sort of alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxyl products (AHA/BHA), Differin, retinol/retinoid, Tazorac and hydroquinone on the area for at least seven days before treatment.
Any moles, spots, rashes, skin infections, or abnormal lesions on the body must be treated by a medical practitioner. Laser hair removal should not be used on this skin.
The roots of your hair need to be present in order for laser hair removal to work, because they are the part that is targeted and damaged to slow down growth. This means that any hair removal process that can potentially disrupt the roots, like tweezing, waxing, and chemical epilation, must be avoided for at least three weeks prior to the treatment.
Cold sores must be treated with antiviral medication before this procedure, and anyone suffering from active cold sores should wait until they are healed. In professional clinics, clients are advised to wait for any cold sores to heal completely first.
Anyone who has used Accutane in the last six months cannot and should not use this procedure. It can potentially have several irreparable side effects on the skin.
It's advised that you avoid any physical activities that might increase the blood pressure or body temperature for two hours before and after the procedure.
It's also advised that you not receive injections of dermal fillers or botox within fourteen days before or after treatment.
Some antibiotics can cause photosensitivity. It's best to consult a physician before receiving laser treatments, especially if you are on a long term antibiotics program. Certain medications may need to be avoided for at least seven days before the laser treatment.
You should not wear any tight clothing on the area you will be treating.
At-home laser hair removal can be done safely if all of these precautions are followed. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any abnormal side effects. Many at-home laser devices are medically certified and come with a full set of instructions and precautionary advice, so you will know what to do and what to avoid when performing your own laser hair removal.