How to Care for Your Skin After Laser Hair Removal

Lasers are quickly becoming one of the most popular methods of hair removal, especially among women. However, just like shaving and waxing, you need to take care of your skin after receiving this treatment. While laser hair removal requires no recovery period, it’s important to be aware of the side effects, wear sunscreen consistently, and avoid irritating your skin. 

SLENT, or South Louisiana Ear, Nose, Throat & Facial Plastics, has locations in Mandeville, Hammond, and Slidell, Louisiana. We offer laser hair removal to safely give you the smooth silky skin you long for. 

How laser hair removal works 

Laser hair removal is done using a small handheld device that delivers intense light energy to your skin. This energy targets and disables your hair follicles, which keeps the hair from growing back. It can take a few sessions to get the full effect, but you can expect smooth skin for years following your treatment.

This treatment can be used on almost every part of your body, including your: 

• Arms
• Underarms
• Legs 
• Bikini line
• Face 
• Scalp
• Shoulders

The best part about laser hair removal is that it’s relatively painless. There’s no risk of cutting or scraping yourself with a razor, no hot wax, and no painful plucking. Many describe the sensation as mild, similar to a rubber band snapping against your skin. 

Common side effects 

Laser hair removal is completely safe, so you don’t need to worry about the risks. It also requires no downtime, so you don’t need to recover from your treatment. You can return to your daily routine as soon as the session ends. 

Side effects are mild, and severe reactions are rare. Shaving before your treatment can reduce surface skin reactions without removing the hair follicle. Common side effects of laser hair removal include: 

• Irritation immediately following the procedure 
• Redness and swelling (similar to a sunburn) 

These reactions are normal, and should subside within a few days. As long as you take care of your skin and stay out of the sun, they shouldn’t bother you. If you experience severe side effects, contact your doctor. 

Caring for your skin after treatment

It’s extremely important to protect your skin from the sun following laser hair removal for about a month. Wear sunscreen daily, especially on areas that were treated. If you fail to wear sunscreen, you might experience blistering and changes to your skin pigmentation. 

Make sure to keep your skin moisturized during this time. Apply unscented lotion, and avoid using perfume or scented products on these areas. Do not wax your skin, even if there’s hair left over from your treatment. This hair will gradually fall out over the next month. 

If you’re interested in laser hair removal, talk to a specialist to determine if it’s right for you. You can get in touch with the team at SLENT by calling the location closest to you, or visit the contact page for more information.