How to Prepare for Your First Laser Hair Removal Treatment

Who wants to shave, pluck, or wax the rest of their days? Laser hair removal is a revolutionary cosmetic treatment that allows men and women to ditch their razors, tweezers, and wax strips for good. 

If you’re gearing up for your first appointment and you aren’t quite sure about the protocol, don’t worry. Our team at CANJ Aesthetics in Oakland, New Jersey, is here to fill you in — here’s everything you should know about getting ready for your upcoming laser hair removal session. 

Quit plucking and waxing

We need at least some visible hair for laser hair removal to be successful. Laser hair removal works by targeting the roots of your hair, but first, they need to find the shafts and follicles of visible hair. So, stop plucking or waxing at least 4-6 weeks before your appointment to ensure there’s enough of a shaft in each targeted follicle. 

Shave the treatment area

You may not be able to keep up your plucking or waxing routine, but you have the green light to shave — in fact, we encourage it. Even if the hairs are invisible to the naked eye, there’s still plenty beneath the surface for the lasers to hone in on and grab. 

We require that you shave 24-48 hours before your appointment to decrease the risk of skin burns, which can happen when there’s too much hair above the skin. Most of your hair should be below the surface of your skin at the time of your session.

Get out of the sun

For at least two weeks before your laser hair removal appointment, keep the treatment area out of the sun (this goes for tanning beds and self-tanners, too). 

Tanning before laser removal can lead to skin discoloration after your appointment, and sunburns can lead to pain and blistering. If you have even a mild sunburn, we’ll ask you to reschedule your appointment. If you must spend time outdoors in the time leading up to your treatment, remember to wear protective clothing and sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. 

Stop bleaching your hair

If you want the best results from your investment in laser hair removal, put down the bleach. The lasers zero in on pigment in your hair follicles, so you want your hair to be as dark as possible. Kick the bleaching habit at least six weeks prior to your session.

Evaluate your meds

It’s crucial to tell us about all the medications you’re taking, both oral and topical. Some medications can intervene with laser treatment or make your skin more sensitive and likely to blister. Tell us about all medications and supplements, including:

• Antibiotics
• Birth control
• Acne prescriptions
• Photosensitizing medications
• Anti-inflammatory medications

We won’t ask you to stop taking them altogether, but you may need to talk to your primary care provider about adjusting your regimen for a short time around your treatment session. 

Clean up

Many of the ingredients in cosmetics and other products can impact the results of laser hair removal. So, make sure you show up with clean, dry skin free from:

• Deodorant
• Makeup
• Lotions
• Ointments
• Creams

A simple scrub with soapy water should do the trick. Once your skin has recovered from laser hair removal, you can use all your favorite products again.

Want more information about laser hair removal? Ready to get your first appointment set up? Call our friendly staff at 551-231-1733 today, or use our online booking tool to schedule an appointment any time.