How to prepare for laser hair removal?

Modern laser hair removal is an effective method to eliminate unwanted hair growth from the skin surface. The laser device directs a concentrated stream of light onto the skin, which, recognizing the melanin pigment in the hair, is converted into heat energy, which flows through the epidermis to the hair follicle. Under the influence of heat, the follicle is destroyed, and the hair falls out and cannot grow back. To achieve this reaction of the follicle, it is necessary to perform several consecutive laser hair removal procedures, as a result of which the skin in the treated area remains smooth for several years.

The essence of the laser procedure is the destruction of the bulb-follicle, from where the growth of an individual hair occurs. The laser procedure stops the growth of active hairs, but in their place other, previously "dormant" follicles are activated. To eliminate all active bulbs, the procedure must be repeated several times, and the number of these repetitions depends on the structure of the hair, its color, stiffness, and density. Before doing a session for the first time, you need to prepare for laser hair removal.

Cosmetologists believe that rapid hair growth can occur against a background of hormonal imbalance. If the level of hormones in the body is not normalized, the laser will not be able to cope with the follicles that are constantly activated under the influence of hormones.Therefore, the first stage of preparation is a visit to an endocrinologist.

A cosmetic procedure using a laser is not as harmless as it might seem at first glance. This technique has a number of contraindications for use. Laser epilation cannot be performed in a number of cases, such as:

• diseases of the immune system;
• endocrine system diseases;
• oncological diseases of the skin or internal organs;
• periods of pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• individual intolerance to the method due to thin and sensitive skin;
• diabetes;
• age under 18;
• blonde, gray, or red hair in the treatment area;
• infectious diseases and acute respiratory conditions;
• dark skin or tan obtained within 14 days before the session;
• violation of the integrity of the skin - cut, abrasion, burn;
• skin diseases, including pustular eruptions;
• the presence of birthmarks, warts, papillomas in the treatment area;
• exacerbation of allergic symptoms;
• diseases of the nervous system and epilepsy;
• varicose veins and bleeding disorders.

All of these conditions are an absolute contraindication to the procedure, and they cannot be ignored so as not to aggravate the course of the disease.

To perform a laser hair removal procedure, the hairs must be at least 1 or 2 mm long, therefore it is recommended to shave the epilation area a few days before the start of the session. The maximum hair length is allowed up to 5 mm, but if this figure is exceeded, the procedure will be more painful. Depending on the model of the laser device in various beauty salons, customers are told different times when it is necessary to prepare the area for shaving, but if the hairs are less than 1 mm, then the device will simply not be able to recognize them. Each person's hair grows back at a different rate, so one day is enough for someone until the hairs grow back to the desired length, and in some cases it will take two days.

Besides, it should be borne in mind that the rate of hair growth in different parts of the body is not the same. For example, in the underarm or bikini area, hair should be trimmed 3 or 4 days before the procedure.

To properly prepare for the laser hair removal procedure, you need to take into account the peculiarities of the skin of various parts of the body.

• Upper lip. 2 weeks before the session, you should stop depilation procedures in the form of waxing, shugaring, as well as the use of depilatory creams and gels. It is not recommended to take antibacterial drugs for 14 days before the session. And also 3 days before epilation, you need to stop using cosmetics containing alcohol components. On the day of the procedure, you will need to cut off the hairs above the upper lip with nail scissors, and then do not apply any decorative cosmetics on your face. If there is a tendency to the appearance of herpes, then 1 week before the session, you need to start taking antiviral drugs, continuing to take them for another week after epilation. Before the procedure, it is worth discussing the issue of pain relief, since the upper lip area is quite sensitive.
• The surface of the legs. The skin on the legs is dry and rather rough, the hairs grow back quickly and their length is considerable. If you have them light, then within 2 weeks before the session, you can subject them to periodic shaving. This will allow the hairs to build up pigment and darken.The last shaving should be done no later than 2 days before the procedure. To prevent the skin from flaking, 2 times a week it needs to be treated with belongings and moistened with special body lotions. Having prepared the skin surface in this way, we can assume that the procedure will be much faster and less painful.
• Armpits. It is a very sensitive area, and the painlessness of the procedure directly depends on the hair color. The darker the hairs, the better they will be able to absorb energy from the laser beam and conduct it to the follicles. During the preparation period, it is not recommended to sunbathe 14 days before the session, as well as to subject the armpit area to shaving or waxing. When there are 2 days left before the procedure, you can shave off the hairs, and on the day of epilation, thoroughly cleanse the skin from traces of deodorant. Before the session, it is necessary to discuss with the beautician the method of pain relief if the device does not have a built-in skin cooling system.
• Hand area. 2 weeks before the start of the session, you need to exclude sunburn and a visit to the solarium - the whiter the skin, the better the laser recognizes hairs against its background and the more efficiently it acts on them with thermal energy. For this reason, hand epilation is often recommended in winter or autumn. 4 days before the procedure, you need to stop using cosmetics containing alcohol; during the same period, it is not recommended to apply a greasy cream to your hands. If you are taking antibacterial drugs, then their course must be completed 14 days before the session.
• Bikini area. 1 month before the start of the procedure, you will need to give up mechanical hair removal. It is recommended to do skin scrubbing 4 days before the procedure, and to shave the hair in the epilation area 1 day before the session. However, you should not use shaving foam or alcohol-based products - to complete the shaving process, you will need to use a soap with a neutral pH composition. Hair must be removed carefully so as not to injure the skin; individual hairs cannot be skipped. After shaving, instead of lotions to moisturize the skin, it is recommended to use a gel that contains aloe or chamomile extract. Do not use oils to soften the skin before epilation. Before starting laser hair removal, it is allowed to use local anesthetics.

The laser hair removal procedure requires a serious approach to its implementation. If you ignore the rules, the result of work can be burns, pigmentation, irritation. To get a good result, you need to start preparing yourself for the procedure in advance.

• 6 weeks before the session you will have to stop using skin or hair whitening products. Approximately 4 weeks before visiting a beautician, you need to protect your skin from ultraviolet radiation - this means that you will have to completely exclude sunburn and visits to the solarium. If you start epilation on tanned skin, the procedure can result in burns.
• 3 weeks before epilation stop doing plucking, shugaring, waxing or the use of depilatory creams. These techniques are based on removing hair along with the follicle, and the laser will not be able to detect the source of their growth - the hair follicle. 2 weeks before the session, only shaving of the skin is allowed. Stop using any bronzers 14 days before epilation - the skin should be pale, without a hint of sunburn.
• 1 week before the procedure it is necessary to exclude from the use of cosmetic creams and lotions containing AHA acids, as well as benzoyl peroxide and acetylsalicylic acid.In order not to provoke hyperpigmentation, stop taking carotene in the form of vitamins, fresh carrots or carrot juice.
• 2 days before laser hair removal the skin will need to be shaved - this is a prerequisite for the procedure, which is most comfortable to perform at home. Hair removal is necessary so that the laser beam does not cause burns on the skin covered with hair. On the day of the procedure, you need to choose the right clothes - things should be made of natural materials and free cut. Tight clothing should not be used and soft fabric should not further irritate laser-treated skin.
• Take a shower in the morning before the procedure., after which it is impossible to use moisturizing compositions and decorative cosmetics in the area of ​​laser operation. If you have to epilate the armpit area, do not use deodorant. Cosmetologists do not advise drinking tea or coffee on the day of laser hair removal, since the caffeine contained in them can increase sensitivity to pain. To reduce the pain threshold, an anesthetic drug, for example, 2 tablets of Ibuprofen, can be taken orally 1 hour before the session. In 20-30 minutes. Before the start of the procedure, you can apply Emla anesthetic cream to the treated area or treat the skin with a spray with lidocaine.

After finishing laser hair removal, there are also some restrictions that need to be observed.

• After the session, you will need to maintain the result by visiting a beautician once every 1.5-2 years. To achieve this result, you have to undergo 4-8 epilation procedures with an interval of 3-4 weeks. During this period of time, the "dormant" hairs will grow back, but you will not be able to use wax or sugar depilation - between sessions of laser treatment, only shaving off the regrown hair is allowed.
• Immediately after turning off the device, a cold compress with ice or chamomile decoction can be placed on the treated skin to relieve irritation. In some cases, goose bumps appear in places where there were hairs. These bumps cannot be injured - they are a reaction to heat exposure and go away on their own a few hours after the procedure.
• In the first hours after epilation, it is not recommended to rub or apply anything on the skin surface, even if it is a soothing cream. If a crust appears on the skin, lubricate it with a thin layer of aloe gel, but you cannot tear off this crust - over time, it will fall off on its own after the skin heals.
• On the first day after the session, you cannot take a bath, visit the sauna or wash under a hot shower. After 2 days, it is allowed to use deodorant and perfumes, as well as to use bleaching compositions.
• The first 2 days you need to limit physical activity, since an increase in body temperature and intense sweating do not contribute to the rapid recovery of the skin. Do not swim in chlorinated pool water or wear synthetic, wool, or other coarse fabrics.