How Should Take Care Of Treated Part After Laser Hair Removal Done?

In recent years, laser hair removal cosmetic procedure has become one of the most popular options among people who are fed up using temporary methods such as waxing, shaving, and tweezing repeatedly to get rid of unwanted hairs. Laser treatment can successfully reduce the growth of unwanted hairs, unlike other temporary methods.

Now that you have completed the first session of the laser hair removal procedure. It is normal to feel a warm sensation like a mild sunburn. The treated portion may also look reddish, and the area around the hair follicle may look raised. These are the normal side effects that will disappear within 24-48 hours after each session. You will be noticing these side effects only for the first few sessions. As and when the treatment progresses, the hair in the treated portion will begin to thin out. Hence, the side effects will become less noticeable after each laser session.

Follow the below listed easy-to-do after-care process, to ensure that the treated body part heals fully and quickly.

What Should You Do for 24-48 Hours Immediately After Your Laser Session?

• Cover the treatment areas as much as possible
• Apply SPF50+ sunscreen lotion to the treatment areas that get exposed to UV light
• Do not apply makeup till you do not complete the entire laser sessions
• Use lukewarm water while bathing. Try to avoid hot and cold water for bathing.
• Apply only 100 percent aloe vera gel to your treatment area. Preserve the aloe vera gel in refrigerated condition for the best outcomes [1]. Else, use fresh aloe vera gel, as it is comparatively more effective [2].
• You can also apply ice packs and a cold compress for 10 minutes at least 3 times per day, to reduce discomfort due to heat. Wrap the ice in a towel before applying it to the skin. Direct application of ice may induce more irritation.
• Wait for an hour before repeating the ice application to the affected area. Do not apply the ice pack for more than 10 minutes. It may block the blood flow in the treatment area, and extend your healing time.
• Wear loose cotton clothes
• Keep the treatment area dry and clean
• Clean the treated area gently with mild soap. But, do not rub your skin.
• Avoid using deodorants in case if you have undergone treatment for underarms
• Avoid doing physical exercise that induces excessive perspiration. Opt for walking only and don’t exert too much. Else, you may feel itching in the treated area.
• Avoid the gym, swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and jacuzzi.
• Moreover, if you experience side effects such as prolonged redness, swelling, blisters, hypopigmentation, and hyperpigmentation, contact your surgeon immediately.

What Should You Do After 48 Hours in Between Your Sessions?

• Continue to apply SPF50+ sunscreen lotion to the treatment areas that get exposed to UV light. The nourishing ingredients in these lotions help the skin restore to normal as early as possible after this laser therapy.
• Continue to cover the treatment areas as much as possible to avoid sun exposure. Some cosmetic surgeons may recommend preventing sun exposure for six weeks after the laser treatment. Direct exposure to sunlight may irritate the treatment area and increase side effects.
• Do not forget to inform your cosmetic surgeon if you are taking any medications during the course
• Even if hair starts to regrow in between the sessions, do not opt for shaving and tweezing.
• Do not apply any anti-tan cream, makeup, or beauty products such as scrubs to your treatment areas
• Exfoliation means wiping away the treated area with a damp cloth. Always exfoliate the treatment area 5 days after the laser treatment session, but not earlier, to reduce the risk of ingrown hairs. Exfoliation helps in the shedding process which will break down the hair and eliminate it from underneath the skin.
• If blisters appear, do not puncture them. Apply the ointment prescribed by your doctor for complete healing.
• Clean the treatment area with a mild cleanser only 1-2 times per day and not more than that.
• After your first session of laser hair removal, your skin will become more sensitive. It may become dry also. Hence, you can apply medically prescribed moisturizers to the treatment area to reduce irritation. But only apply and do not rub the skin.

Remember that whatever you do after your laser session is equally as important as the preparation steps before the session. You should mandatorily follow the after-care steps as suggested by your surgeon without fail to prevent any adverse side effects.

If you have any further specific questions regarding the after-care procedures, please do not hesitate to contact our team at Care Well Medical Center in Delhi. Our highly skilled cosmetic surgeons are readily available to answer all your queries.

References

1.Dawid-Pać R. Medicinal plants used in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2013;30(3):170‐177. doi:10.5114/pdia.2013.35620

2. Reuter J, Jocher A, Stump J, Grossjohann B, Franke G, Schempp CM. Investigation of the anti-inflammatory potential of Aloe vera gel (97.5%) in the ultraviolet erythema test. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2008;21(2):106‐110. doi:10.1159/000114871