10 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Laser Hair Removal

Shave the area 2 to 3 days beforehand.

Shorten your hair to the size of a grain of rice for the most benefit. Although it might sound strange to shave before a hair removal procedure, laser hair removal won’t work on any hair longer than a grain of rice. Use a razor to shave the area you’re getting treatment, then let it grow back in the few days before your procedure.

Stop using self-tanner or tanning lotion.

Tan skin can cause the laser to work poorly, so avoid it. If you tend to use self-tanner or tanning lotion, stop using it a few weeks before your procedure. If your skin has increased melanin, it’s much harder for the laser to distinguish what is hair and what is skin. Try to avoid tanning in direct sunlight or using tanning beds before your procedure as well.

Avoid taking blood-thinning medication.

Blood-thinning drugs can make your skin more sensitive to the laser. Talk to your doctor if you take any sort of blood-thinning medication, including aspirin. Also let your doctor know if you use a topical Retinol or any medication that makes you sensitive to light, since it can also interfere with the laser and cause extra sensitivity and pain. Usually, your doctor will have you stop taking those medications a few weeks before your procedure. This is usually enough time to flush your system and keep you safe.

Request a numbing gel to manage pain.

Numbing gel can help you get through the procedure more comfortably. Most people describe the sensation as a large rubber band snapping against their skin. If you have a low pain tolerance or sensitive skin, ask your doctor for a numbing gel or cream to use during your procedure to reduce pain. This is a good idea if you’re having hair removal done on a sensitive area, like your groin or your face.

Avoid waxing, tweezing, and plucking afterward.

Leave the root intact to give the laser time to work. Laser hair removal targets the roots of your hair, weakening it and causing it to grow back slower. Give the laser time to work by avoiding waxing, tweezing, plucking, or anything that might pull the hair out by the root. You can still shave the area after your procedure if you’d like to.

Use a cold compress to reduce swelling afterward.

Minor swelling is normal, so use a cold compress to reduce irritation. After your procedure, your skin might get a little red or irritated. Press a washcloth in cool water or a bag of ice cubes wrapped in a towel on your skin for 20 minutes at a time to reduce swelling. Skin irritation usually only lasts for a couple of hours after your procedure. You can use a cold compress a few times per day until your swelling goes down.

Exfoliate to speed up the shedding process.

Gentle exfoliation removes dead and dying hairs after your procedure. After your first laser hair treatment, you may experience some “shedding,” or the process of the hair falling off and out of the follicle. If you want to speed this process up, get your skin wet in the shower and use a gentle physical exfoliator on the area. Rub the exfoliator onto your skin in slow, circular motions, pressing lightly. Do this once a week to help the shedding process along. Shedding is actually a good sign—it means that your laser hair removal procedure is working! However, many people find the constant hair loss annoying, which is why you might want to speed it up.

Stay out of direct sunlight.

UV rays can damage your sensitive skin. After your procedure, your skin will be sensitive to light and needs time to heal. Try to stay out of direct sunlight, and avoid using tanning beds, too. When you do go out, put on sunscreen to protect your skin and prevent damage. When you head outside, cover your skin in long sleeves or pants, depending on where you had laser hair removal. If you had it done on your face, use a large hat to shade your skin from the sun. Most doctors recommend staying out of the sun for at least 2 weeks after your procedure.

Follow your doctor’s after-care instructions.

Listen to your doctor’s advice to get the most benefit. Your after-care instructions may vary slightly based on your age and your medical history. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully, and call your doctor if you’re having any pain or discomfort.

Go back for multiple treatments.

Most people require 2 to 3 treatments to see results. Depending on the area that you’re having done and how thick your hair is, you may need more or fewer treatments. Usually, treatments are anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks apart. Talk to your doctor about how many treatments you’ll need and when you’d like to come back. After the first treatment, you can expect a 10% to 15% reduction of hair in the area.