Laser hair removal is the best way to reduce the amount of problem body hair on a long-term basis, longer than techniques like shaving and waxing. As with many medical procedures, aftercare is an important part of your procedure’s success.
At Bayview General Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Dr. Richard Blanchar and his team use the Elite IQ® laser hair removal system to treat patients. Elite IQ does a fantastic job across a wide range of skin types.
You can improve your laser hair removal experience by paying careful attention to post-treatment care. Today, we’re looking at the key aftercare steps you can focus on after your most recent session.
To help you manage aftercare, we’ve grouped care steps chronologically in three sections.
Avoiding direct sun is perhaps the most important care step you can follow after your Elite IQ session. Ultraviolet (UV) exposure too soon after treatment can cause side effects such as blisters, burns, or scars in the treated areas. Resulting infections can discolor your skin and leave you at risk of additional complications.
Avoid sweating and friction for the first two days after treatment. Try these home care steps to keep your skin clean and protected:
Avoiding products that include fragrances is a good idea to sidestep unexpected sensitivities on treated skin. Stay well hydrated throughout your recovery period.
Sun protection is still essential, so use a sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher and reapply as directed for your product. Continue to wear loose clothing to minimize friction, and minimize sweating by avoiding heavy exercise, hot baths or showers, saunas, or steam rooms.
As redness and inflammation fade, it’s fine to start moisturizing. This helps protect your skin while also aiding healing. You can exfoliate two or three times a week to help with hair shedding, but discontinue the practice if your skin becomes irritated.
In general, avoid shaving until your skin has completely recovered from your hair removal session. The same is true for aggressive exfoliation. Treated hair eventually falls out on its own, and we don’t recommend plucking or otherwise removing hair from a treated area.
We’ll provide you with specific care instructions during your laser hair removal session. Contact Bayview General Medicine by phone or online to schedule your laser hair removal appointment or consultation today.
