4 ways to prepare for successful laser hair removal treatment

We know you take pride in your appearance. Smooth, silky, and fuzz-free skin supports your most confident look. At Eman Aesthetics, we help our neighbors in and around Centerville, Dayton, Kettering, and Oakwood, Ohio, get and sustain skin that they can be proud of with laser hair removal that is as appropriate for delicate areas of the face as it is for even sensitive parts of your body. However, the results from your treatment and the actual treatment experience are a partnership between you and your aesthetician, and successful results start with the following four instructions for pre-care.

No. 1: Do not tan.

The health risks of tanning are well-documented. So, it’s best to avoid tanning year-round. However, avoiding tanning from the sun or artificial sources (like tanning beds) for at least one month before your first appointment is particularly important. This also includes avoiding any safe sunless tanners. While sunless tanners are safe, any products or behaviors that tan your skin are a “no-go” as you prepare for treatment. The reason for this is due to the design of the lasers themselves. The laser removes hair by targeting the melanin in each follicle. Melanin is the pigment that gives the hairs, as well as your skin, its color. If your skin is tanned, it may be harder for the laser to properly (and safely) detect and distinguish between the melanin in the hair and the melanin in your skin.

No. 2: Only use approved hair removal methods beforehand.

Before your visit, it is OK to shave. However, in the weeks leading up to your appointment, you should stop using other forms of hair removal – including waxing, tweezing, and applying depilatory creams. Certain habits and products can disturb the follicles. Hair grows through these sac-like chambers. Any time the follicles are disturbed, it can decrease the effectiveness of your laser. And today’s lasers are designed to be highly precise and efficient. So, we can effectively treat many hairs in a very short period. This preparation and our aestheticians’ level of skill support laser treatment that works well and as designed. Additionally, you will be asked to shave areas of your face and/or body that will be treated with a clean and new razor blade the day before your appointment. By removing hair well and avoiding stubble, we help the laser detect the color in your follicles better and minimize the risk of damage to the skin.

No. 3: Stick to gentle products.

We will review the skincare products that you currently use and, as needed, recommend that you avoid or adjust the use of formulations that contain specific ingredients. These ingredients are generally too harsh for skin that will be lasered; they include potent retinoids, acids (AHAs and BHAs), and benzoyl peroxide. It is best to avoid formulas with them as they can increase the risk of photosensitivity when your skin becomes more sensitive to the effects of UV exposure/sunlight following treatment. Here again, practicing sun protection measures has never been more important. We can advise you on the best sunscreens and other sun protection steps to take before treatment.

No. 4: Day-of tips

You can take steps right before your treatment to promote a comfortable experience and minimize your skin’s sensitivity to the energy and heat produced by the laser. These include avoiding caffeine the day of your treatment and rescheduling if you are not feeling well. If you are nervous about how treatment will feel, we are happy to discuss numbing anesthetic options as appropriate. It’s also important to know that today’s advanced laser systems have many built-in features, including contact cooling. These features help to maximize your comfort and also promote safety.

We welcome any questions or concerns that you may have about preparing for laser hair removal treatment. To take that first step today, speak with a member of the Eman Aesthetics team. Serving greater Dayton, Kettering, and Oakwood, OH, our team in Centerville can be reached at (937) 310 1121.

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