So, you’re ready to book your laser hair removal sessions? It’s indeed the perfect time for more smooth skin with less upkeep! But here’s the thing: your skincare routine plays a huge role in how smooth and glowing your results turn out.
Want to make sure you’re giving those lasers their best shot? These simple (but game-changing) tips will keep your skin happy and get you the silky-smooth payoff you’ve been dreaming of.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
What to Expect
If you’re new to laser hair removal, understanding how it works can make your experience much smoother. Here’s a quick overview:
Laser hair removal uses focused light energy to target and destroy hair follicles beneath the skin’s surface. The pigment in your hair absorbs the laser’s energy, which heats the follicle and disables its ability to grow new hair. Over multiple sessions, this process significantly reduces hair growth in the treated area.
What Does It Feel Like?
During the session, you may feel a warm snapping sensation—similar to a rubber band flicking against your skin. Advanced lasers, like the Candela GentleMax Pro, include cooling technology to minimize discomfort and protect the surrounding skin.
The treatment is generally quick, depending on the size of the area. For instance, a small area like the upper lip can take just a few minutes, while larger areas, like the legs, may take around 30–45 minutes.
Before Your Laser Hair Removal Appointment
Prepping your skin properly sets the stage for success. Here’s what to do before you head to your session:
Avoid the Sun Stay out of the sun, skip tanning beds, and hold off on self-tanners for at least two weeks before your appointment. Why? A tan or sunburn makes your skin more sensitive, increasing the risk of irritation or burns during treatment.
If you can’t avoid the sun, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ to protect your skin.
Quick Tip: The laser targets pigment in hair follicles. Tanning increases pigment in your skin, which could interfere with the laser’s precision.
Shave, Don’t Wax
Shave the treatment area about 24 hours before your appointment. This ensures the laser can focus on the hair follicles under the skin without burning hair above the surface.
Skip waxing, plucking, or threading before your session—these remove the hair root that the laser needs to work.
Pause Certain Skincare Products
Stop using retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, or other harsh products a few days before your session. These can make your skin more sensitive and prone to irritation.
Not sure? Ask your laser technician at Canada MedLaser Clinic about which products to avoid.
Exfoliate Gently
Exfoliate 2–3 days before your treatment to remove dead skin cells. This helps the laser penetrate hair follicles more effectively. Just don’t overdo it—keep it gentle to avoid irritation.
After Your Laser Hair Removal Session
Post-treatment care is just as important as prep. Here’s how to take care of your skin after your session:
Cool Things Down
A bit of redness or swelling? Totally normal. Soothe the area with a cold compress or a damp cloth. Just avoid putting ice directly on your skin—it could irritate it further.
Stay Hydrated
Keep your skin hydrated with a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer. Avoid heavy creams for the first 48 hours, as they might trap heat. Opt for hydrating gels or lightweight mists instead.
Avoid Heat and Sweating
Skip hot showers, saunas, and steam rooms for the first 48 hours. Heat can irritate the treated area and cause redness. Also, hold off on intense workouts to avoid excessive sweating.
Protect Your Skin from the Sun
Your skin will be more sensitive to sunlight after treatment. Stay out of direct sun exposure for at least 1–2 weeks and apply sunscreen daily to prevent irritation or discoloration.
Ditch Makeup and Fragranced Products
If you’ve had facial laser hair removal, avoid makeup, oils, or fragranced products for at least 24 hours. These can clog pores and irritate your freshly treated skin.
Preventing Ingrown Hairs
Worried about ingrown hairs? Once your skin heals, gently exfoliate 2–3 times a week with a soft scrub or a product containing salicylic acid. Regular moisturizing also helps prevent hair from curling back into the skin.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
To get the best results, steer clear of these common pitfalls:
- Skipping Sessions. Laser hair removal works by targeting hair during its growth cycle. Skipping or delaying appointments disrupts the process and can affect your results. Stick to the schedule your technician recommends.
- Forgetting to Shave. Not shaving before your session can lead to discomfort and less effective results. Hair on the skin’s surface might burn instead of allowing the laser to target the follicle.
- Using Harsh Products Too Soon. Give your skin time to heal. Avoid exfoliants, scrubs, or harsh products for at least a week after your treatment to prevent irritation.
Keeping Your Skin Healthy During the Process
Healthy skin helps you get the most out of laser hair removal. Here’s how to support it:
- Hydrate from the Inside Out. Drink plenty of water daily to keep your skin hydrated and promote healing.
- Eat Skin-Friendly Foods. Add antioxidant-rich foods like leafy greens, berries, and nuts to your diet. Vitamins like C and E are especially helpful for skin repair.
- Choose Loose Clothing. After your session, wear loose-fitting clothes to reduce friction on the treated area. Tight clothing can irritate sensitive skin.
Long-Term Care to Maintain Results
After completing your laser hair removal sessions, it’s important to follow these practices to maintain smooth, hair-free skin:
Once your skin has fully healed, gently exfoliate 2–3 times per week to stop ingrown hairs from growing. Use a soft scrub or exfoliating mitt for best results.
If you notice unusual redness, bumps, or irritation that doesn’t subside, consult your technician or dermatologist.
Sunscreen is your skin’s best friend. Regular use prevents discoloration and ensures your skin stays smooth and even-toned.
Your Laser Hair Removal Cheat Sheet
- Before: Avoid sun exposure, skip waxing, and shave before your session.
- After: Keep it cool, moisturized, and protected from the sun.
- Daily: Hydrate, exfoliate, and always wear sunscreen.
Laser hair removal is an exciting breakthrough, but the secret to amazing results is all about showing your skin some love. By following these easy, no-fuss tips, you’ll be rocking silky-smooth skin that’s 100% worth the effort. Here’s to looking (and feeling) like your best self—because smooth is always in.
Haven’t booked your appointment in 2025? Now’s the best time to do it—contact Canada MedLaser today.
