Do’s and Don’ts of Laser treatment

By Dr. Neetu Saini 

Taking laser treatment for hair removal or any other cosmetic procedure is very common these days. I am going to share few tips here which you can keep in mind before going for laser treatment and few post care instructions. 

Pre Laser tips-

• Avoid a tan or Sunburn – Before going for laser hair removal treatments one should be at their lightest skin tone at the time of treatment. Even a slight suntan can hinder the laser light’s ability to pass through your skin and heat the hair follicle. If you’re light skinned with a tan, the treatment is more difficult than if you’re dark skinned with no tan.

• Do not wax, bleach or pluck- Don’t wax, bleach or pluck your hair at least two weeks before a treatment. The hairs will naturally remove from the follicle with the coagulation of the protein after laser. By plucking, bleach or waxing you are not allowing this process to happen when the hair is ready.

• Avoid peeling – Avoid chemical peels and exfoliating skin treatments before 10 days to your appointment of laser treatment. These may negatively affect your skin’s reaction to laser treatments. 

• No Skin active infection- If you already have some skin infection on your skin or has cold sores then consult your doctor before going for laser treatment.

Post Laser tips-

• Cold compress – It is common to experience some redness and bumps after a treatment and a cold compress helps in this scenario. Apply cool packs or cool moist cloth on the treated area.

• Sun block lotion – Laser hair removal treatments can temporarily make your skin sensitive to sunlight. It is mandatory to apply SPF 30 or higher for a couple weeks after your treatment.

• Avoid saunas, swimming or spas and heavy exercises at least for 24 hours after the laser treatment. Chlorine bacteria can be found in it resulting bacteria to irritate the skin.

• Do not use Loofah or scrub while bathing – Hair may continue the fall out for up to 7 days after a treatment. So avoid loofah or scrubbing.

If you are on medications or antibiotics it is necessary to inform your doctor beforehand. There are some medicines that may cause complications and blistering which can interfere with the treatment. If you inform the doctor they will be able to change some settings of the laser that will adjust to the settings of your medications.

If you are getting treatment on the bikini line then you will be told to wear some light-colored panties that are in the shape of the bikini line that you want. The laser absorbs dark colors so you want to wear some panties that are not too dark. There are even some doctor’s offices that will give you some paper panties to wear while getting the treatment done.

Our clinic specializes in Laser Hair Removal. At Les CosMedics skin clinic in New Delhi, we have Light Sheer Duet Laser from Lumenis. The laser emits a beam of light that attacks the melanin, pigment in skin that gives it a color. Laser hair removal works best when the hair on the skin is dark and the skin is light-colored due to the fact that the laser beam absorbs energy from the hair. 

Always remember that only a certified Dermatologist or Skin expert has the right to perform all these surgical and non surgical procedures of Laser therapy, Botox, fillers or cosmetic facials. Do not go for cheaper medical beauty treatments; always opt for renowned dermatology clinics.