Laser hair removal is one of the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic treatments among both men and women in the United States, with more than 1 million treatments performed each year. Used on just about any area of the body, laser hair removal is especially popular for getting rid of unwanted facial hair, leaving your face smooth, silky, and sexy.
Caring for your skin after facial laser hair removal is important for making sure you get the results you want as quickly as possible, without irritation or other problems. At Laser Bar and Spa in Koreatown, Midtown West, New York City, we help women and men enjoy great results. Here’s how you can help your skin look its best after facial laser hair removal.
Use gentle cleansing
It’s OK to wash your face before bed as you normally do — just be gentle, and use a very mild cleanser. To avoid irritating the treatment area, pat your skin dry, don’t rub it.
Avoid makeup at first
Your skin is especially sensitive for the first 24 hours or after treatment. During this time, it’s a good idea to avoid wearing any makeup because even sensitive-skin products can have agents that irritate skin immediately after treatment.
After 24 hours, you can apply makeup — but if it causes irritation or redness, give your skin another makeup-free day to recover.
Don’t scratch, pick, tweeze, or shave
After treatment, your skin might be extra sensitive, like it feels after a sunburn. You may be tempted to scratch or rub the area, but don’t do it — that just makes the irritation worse. And don’t use any other hair removal treatments, like shaving, tweezing, or waxing, while the area is healing.
Avoid direct sun exposure
This is good advice for your skin even if it hasn’t been treated with a laser, but certainly, after laser hair removal, you should do everything you can to limit direct sun exposure. The sun can dry and irritate your skin, especially when it’s sensitized from laser treatments. Use sunscreen with an SPF of 35 or higher.
Starting laser hair removal now means you can confidently show off your smooth facial skin just in time for warmer weather. Plus, it’s a lot easier to avoid sun exposure when it’s cold and gray outside.
After the first week, exfoliate regularly
As your follicles shed the remaining hairs, you may notice some stubble in the treatment area. The best way to get rid of stubble and help your skin heal is to exfoliate following the instructions our team gives you after your facial laser treatment.
You can exfoliate using a regular wash cloth, but don’t begin exfoliation until about a week after your treatment to avoid irritating the area.
Use moisturizer
Laser treatments can dry out your skin temporarily. Moisturizing lotion can replace lost moisture and also soothe your skin. The key is to use gentle moisturizing products — and apply them according to your technician’s instructions. During the first 24 hours after treatment, avoid products with retinol or acids to reduce the risk of irritation.
Avoid tanning beds and chemical peels
Like the sun, tanning beds can damage skin that’s recently been treated with a laser, so avoid tanning beds for a least a couple of weeks. You should also avoid peels — even mild ones — for a couple of weeks while the area heals.
Facial laser hair removal can help you feel more attractive and more confident, and the best part is there’s no downtime after your treatment. To get started on your treatment, call Laser Bar and Spa to schedule your appointment today.