You’ve decided that you’re fed up with the daily struggle of unwanted hair and are preparing for your laser hair removal treatment. The great news is that laser hair removal doesn’t require any major lifestyle changes prior to your treatment. The professionals at Urban Allure Med Spa in San Francisco are here and ready to help you look and feel your best before, during, and after your laser treatment.
How Do You Get Ready for Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal treatments are one of our most popular treatments and can be done on various parts of the body. When you arrive, your treatment specialist will provide you with everything you need to feel comfortable during your treatment and will make sure your treatment area is ready to go. But to ensure the best results, it’s best to follow these general guidelines no matter what part of your body you’re treating with laser hair removal before you come in for your appointment.
No Tanning
Do not get a tan! Whether you visit tanning salons or get tan the old-fashioned way, we highly recommended that you do not tan prior to your treatments. It’s best to wait until your tan has faded completely (generally four to six weeks) before starting your series of laser treatments. You’ll want as much contrast between the color of your skin and the color of your hair for the best results. It is also best to stay out of the sun as much as possible prior to any laser treatment.
Avoid Complete Hair Removal Treatments
It is best to avoid doing anything that completely removes the hair prior to your treatments. If there is no hair for the laser to find, then the follicle may not be destroyed, which would result in the hair growing back.
During the treatment, the laser creates a beam of high-intensity light that penetrates deep into skin tissue, where it delivers a controlled amount of therapeutic heat. This heat burns the hair and kills the hair follicle in its active growth phase contributing to your permanent hair reduction, so you want to make sure the laser has a target!
It’s best to avoid these types of hair treatments altogether prior to your appointment: electrolysis, waxing, threading, plucking.
Remember the Time-Frame
Make sure you avoid hair removal and tanning at least six weeks prior to your first treatment, but even longer if possible. Your appointments will be spaced out about four to six weeks apart, as the active follicle hair growth cycle is about four to six weeks for everyone, and we want to treat new hair growth during the active growth periods.
Avoid Retinols for a Few Days
There are certain types of medication that cause photosensitivity. Many creams and makeups contain salicylic acid or retinoid (retinol). These ingredients can interfere with the laser, so it’s best to stop using them a few days before any treatments. These medications are made to penetrate the top layers of skin, so they don’t necessarily wash off after one cleansing. You’ll be able to go back to using them not long after your visit.
Day of Treatment
Preparing your skin for your treatment on the day of your appointment is fairly simple. Here are a few things you’ll need to do at home before your arrival at our facility to ensure that you get the most out of your session!
Trim Your Hair
Any hair on or around the treatment area should be trimmed or ideally, shaved the day of your appointment. You don’t want excess hair in the way, but you do want a shaft that the laser’s light can focus upon underneath the top layer of skin. We’ll address any of your specific questions on shaving during your consultation in case this is not something you normally do.
Wash Your Face
Please arrive with clean, washed, and dry skin, making sure to remove any makeup, creams, or oils on the surface of your skin. Arriving with clean skin will save you time on the day of your appointment.
Avoid Sunlight
After your treatment, you’ll want to stay out of the sun as much as possible for a couple of days and make sure to use sunscreens when you do go outside.
Other Considerations
During your consultation, we’ll go over your daily routines and skincare and identify any products you should discontinue using prior to your treatment or add to your regime. For most people, there are no big adjustments in their daily skincare routine. However, if you have perioral herpes and are scheduled for a facial area treatment, prophylactic antiviral therapy may be recommended.
If you have any other health concerns, please let us know! We are here to share our years of experience with beauty treatments and the latest in laser technology.
Are You Ready to Say Goodbye to Unwanted Hair for Good?
Laser hair removal is one of the least invasive beauty treatments with some of the best results! Most people won’t even know that you’ve had a treatment, and you’ll not only save money on creams, at-home treatments, and other methods, but you’ll feel more confident with long-lasting and results.
We look forward to walking you through the process of laser hair removal whether it be on your legs, face, bikini line, arms, or anywhere you’d like to say goodbye to unwanted hair! Schedule your consultation at Urban Allure in San Francisco right now!
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