Laser hair removal is ideal for both men and women who want to rid themselves not just of the hair but of the hassle it takes to maintain their skin. Over time, shaving, waxing, and other methods of hair removal are time consuming, annoying, messy, and expensive. When you do laser hair removal, you go for a handful of sessions and then enjoy a lifetime of hairlessness. Here’s what to expect before and after you get hair removal in Encinitas.

Before

1. Stay out of the sun. This is something that a lot of people in Encinitas might forget but a good hair removal technician like the ones at Rejuvine will remind you that if you do laser hair removal after being in the sun, your skin will not like it and you could even get burns or blisters. So the best time to get hair removal is in the winter when you aren’t sunbathing. By the time you’re ready to bare everything, you’ll be hair-free!

2. Avoid waxing and other follicle-intensive hair removal procedures prior to laser treatment. That includes tweezing. The reason is because these methods remove the hair from the follicle—the exact thing the laser will target.

3. Shave or trim long hairs before the procedure. This important step is partly about consideration for the technician but really, it’s because the laser hair removal process won’t work as well on longer hair. Laser hair removal is not like waxing in that your hair actually needs to be cut close to the skin in order for it to work because shaving triggers the hair to regrow—exactly the time the laser will do its best work. Your laser hair removal technician will remind you of the need to prep yourself and to schedule your appointment during ideal times in your hair growth cycle too.

4. Leave enough time. Depending on the body part you are treating, the laser hair removal appointments can take up to an hour or even more if it is your first visit. If you are removing hair from a small body part, your technician will let you know if a lunch hour appointment is feasible for you.

5. Make sure your technician practices safety first. Laser hair removal is safe, but the laser can damage eyes, which is why both the technician and you need to wear protective goggles during the procedure.

After

1. Be gentle. Especially in the week immediately following a laser hair removal treatment, you should avoid using products that might irritate the skin including scrubs or for underarms, antiperspirants or strong deodorants. Some people also find that hot water can be irritating, so try and tone down the temperature on your warm shower.

2. Stay out of the sun. Sounds like a broken record, but it’s true. You really should avoid the sun both before and after laser hair removal because of how sensitive your skin will be afterwards. If you are outdoors a lot, just make sure you use a good quality sunscreen. After laser hair removal, stay out of the direct sun for as long as possible—a month or more if you can. That’s why wintertime really is best for the process.

3. Laser hair removal is not for the impatient. Smooth and perfect skin takes discipline and with laser hair removal, it also takes a few months to see results. Don’t expect to be hair free from the first session. Depending on how coarse and hirsute you are, the number of sessions will vary but generally around five or six sessions on the same area will be needed to get the job done. The payoff will come in time, you just need to be patient.

4. In the meantime, avoid the temptation to pluck stray hairs. As tweezing removes the hair follicle, you need to avoid any process that removes stray hairs until your set of laser hair removal appointments has ended.