Laser Hair Removal: A Closer Look at the Recovery Process
Are you considering laser hair removal, a safe and non-invasive procedure to eliminate problem hair permanently? Do you have questions about the treatment, including questions with regard to the typical laser hair removal recovery times? Laser hair removal is a revolutionary and effective treatment that uses an intense beam of light to permanently damage the hair follicle, preventing hair from ever growing in that area again, but like with other cosmetic treatments and procedures, there is usually a recovery process—a process that will normally last a few short weeks, with symptoms that will wane as time passes. To illustrate this, in this article we will show you what you can expect once your laser hair removal treatment has concluded, using a comprehensive timeline that details the first few weeks of recovery.
Laser Hair Removal Recovery: Immediately Following the Procedure
Laser hair removal is very non-invasive, and most people who undergo the procedure are able to immediately return to their daily activities, including employment, once the treatment has concluded. There may be some discomfort as the local anesthetic starts to wear off, including a burning or prickly sensation. This is quite normal and you shouldn’t be alarmed. Additionally, the treated area after laser hair removal will usually appear flush, almost resembling sunburn, with the same types of symptoms, including mild pain and itch. Some people use a mild oral or topical medication to control the discomfort, but in most cases medication is unnecessary.
Laser Hair Removal Recovery: The First Day
If you think of laser hair removal as bad sunburn, you can probably guess the types of activities you should avoid during the first 24 hours. Strenuous activity, which causes perspiration, can irritate already tender skin and should be avoided if possible, as should exposure to very hot water, such as hot showers or Jacuzzis, as that too can aggravate sensitive skin. You may notice that your skin has become red and slightly swollen in the area where laser hair removal was initiated, but this, too, is completely normal and can usually be controlled with topical moisturizers and anti-inflammatory ointments. Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or Tylenol may also help with alleviate some discomfort.
Laser Hair Removal Recovery: The First Week
The first week after laser hair removal is said to be a crucial time, as it will indicate whether the treated area is healing properly or not. During this time you may see red bumps on your skin, a normal side effect of treatment that will usually subside sometime during the second week. Crusting and scabbing in the area where laser hair removal was performed is also quite commonplace, and can generally be managed with Vaseline, a petroleum jelly ointment which will help to keep the treated area moist. Signs that may indicate the area is not healing properly and that you should immediately contact the treating doctor include excessive scabbing, white, rather than red bumps, and a continued, intense discomfort at the treated site.
Laser Hair Removal Recovery: The First Two Weeks
In the second week following laser hair removal you will finally begin to see the fruits of your labor, as hair will begin to fall out from the treated area. This is an indication that the laser hair removal treatment was successful, and you can usually expect this to continue for the next few weeks. During that timeframe, doctors strongly suggest that you refrain from any type of sun exposure to areas where your skin is tender, as too much sunlight will at best cause irritation, but could also lead to skin damage. Also, never interfere with the natural process of laser hair removal—hair falling out on its own—by attempting to pluck, tweeze or wax the treated area to speed up the process.
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