Laser Hair Removal Before and After - A Comprehensive Guide

For anyone who deals with unwanted hair on their body or face, laser hair removal almost sounds too good to be true. No more razor burn, no more razor bumps—no more razors at all! Not to mention the staggering pain of waxing or the disappointing feeling of new hair growth coming back so soon after shaving. 

Laser hair removal is so effective because it doesn’t just trim a hair or yank it out, it targets growth at the root. Let’s step through how the magic happens in this before and after breakdown on laser hair removal. 

How Laser Hair Removal Works

Laser hair removal is a non-invasive treatment that removes unwanted hair with a powerful, highly concentrated beam of light. After striking hair on the surface of the skin, the laser’s light is converted into heat. Then, the heat energy damages the follicles that produce hair, thus preventing future hair growth. 

To thoroughly remove unwanted hair, a typical treatment course consists of six to eight treatments spaced four to six weeks apart. Results are typically long-lasting, with many people reporting they only need touch-ups one to two times a year. 

How Hair Growth Works Before and After Laser Hair Removal

We are more like our ape cousins than we like to admit. We grow hair on almost every part of our bodies, with just a few exceptions, like the backs of our ears and the palms of our hands. 

While all human hair grows at the same rate—around 1 cm per month—body hair falls out faster than head hair. Many body hairs are also thin, light, and barely noticeable. However, for some individuals, unwanted hair on the face and body is more visible than they would like. Unwanted hair can also be uncomfortable to live with and painful to remove through traditional methods like shaving, plucking or waxing. 

After a full course of laser hair removal treatments, hair growth in the treated area will be so reduced that it’s barely noticeable. That’s because the damaged follicles are no longer able to produce hair growth. After a few months, the follicles will slowly begin to recover, but hair maintenance (with traditional methods or with continued laser treatment) will be easier than before. 

How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal

Leading up to a laser hair removal appointment, it’s important to adjust your skincare routine to ensure safe and successful results. Here are a few key dos and don’ts to adhere to before your appointment. 

• For at least four weeks before your appointment, don’t wax or pluck hair from the area that will be receiving treatment; waxing and plucking affect hair roots, which should be in a natural condition to optimize laser treatment
• Shave the treatment area within 24 hours before your appointment; shaving doesn’t damage roots but does help the laser target the follicles without burning hair on the surface of your skin
• Avoid direct sun exposure for several weeks before treatment, protect your skin with sunscreen, and don’t use tanning products; while certain lasers can work for all skin types, many laser hair removal services work best on pale skin, so it’s counterproductive to tan before a treatment
• On the day of a laser hair removal session, bathe as you normally would but don’t apply products like lotions or makeup, as these can cover the skin and block the laser’s ability to reach hair follicles
• On laser hair removal session days, wear loose, comfortable clothing that won’t irritate the skin after treatment

What to Expect After Laser Hair Treatment

Laser hair treatment doesn’t physically remove hair. Rather, the process damages the roots of hairs, thus discouraging the body from producing more hair in that area. So, after your first laser treatment, your hair won’t immediately disappear. Hair in the treatment area will begin gradually shedding over a period of days or weeks. 

As you complete a course of six to eight treatments, hair in the treatment area will gradually disappear. Minor redness or swelling may occur but usually doesn’t last for more than a few hours. Meanwhile, you’ll enjoy no-hassle, no-hair skin. 

To care for your skin after hair removal, it’s important to avoid direct sun exposure, protect your skin with strong sunscreen, and moisturize with gentle products. 

Book Your Laser Hair Removal Consultation Today

Before laser hair removal, hassles like shaving cream, razor bumps, and waxing pain are unavoidable if you want to maintain smooth, hairless skin. After laser hair removal, you’ll enjoy effortlessly hairless skin for months or even years. What’s not to love?

To schedule a laser hair removal consultation today, contact your local Chapter Aesthetic Studio.