8 Ways to Care for Your Skin After Laser Hair Removal

This write-up is about how to care for your skin after using a laser hair removal machine. If you’ve ever experienced a laser hair removal treatment before, you know that the following days can be a bit uncomfortable if you have sensitive skin. As a side note, most Bareskin laser hair removal machines do not experience pain or discomfort using the device. 

Some people describe the sensation as akin to a light sunburn, not a fun time. Luckily, there are a few ways to minimise this discomfort and get you back on the fast track to having smooth, beautiful skin and no discomfort.

Eight ways you can care for your skin after laser hair removal.

Avoid the Sun

Right after the laser treatment, you might be experiencing some redness or irritation; this is normal. We suggest that you stay out of the sun as much as possible for the first week post-treatment.

Your skin is in a sensitive state after being subjected to a laser hair removal machine, and, much like an actual sunburn, UV rays will only do further damage. Similarly, tanning in a booth or even spray tans is not recommended. Keep indoors and out of direct sunlight as much as possible.

Get Some Pain Relievers

After laser treatment, some people experience some pain. It’s a good idea to grab some over-the-counter pain relievers. Paracetamol, or a similar off-brand, will be your friend for a while.

Your skin will be very tender for the next few days and be irritable for a week or two after that, so it’s best to take precautions. Take a dose as the label directs at your earliest point of convenience to help minimize irritation, continuing to take further doses when needed.

Take a Lukewarm Shower

When you do finally arrive home, the first thing you should do is take a cool or lukewarm shower. The water temperature mustn’t be too hot as this can cause further harm to the skin. Instead, keep it as low as you can comfortably and wash the treated areas with mild, scent-free soap.

Be sure not to scrub or apply too much direct pressure when cleaning, as this could also create otherwise preventable damage. Dry the treated skin with gentle, dabbing motions of a towel or rag.

Hold off on lotion

After showering, it might be tempting to go for your typical lotion and deodorant of choice, but you must hold off. It would help if you kept the treated and surrounding areas of your skin free of any artificial creams and sprays until at least 24 hours have passed; even then, keep topical application to a minimum.

If you need to freshen up, wash the skin gently as you did before with non-scented soap. It may feel odd for those set in a routine of applying many products after a shower, but this is for the best. Unsanctioned gels, creams, sprays, and washes will only irritate and, in some cases, cause pain to the treated skin.

Apply Restorative Gel

If available to you, we recommend applying restorative aloe gel as often as allowed on the label. Aloe vera gel help expedite the healing of cells within the skin. They also make an excellent substitute for lotion in hydrating the skin, so feel free to use it while still within the 24-hour waiting period.

Since these products are designed specifically for use by those who go through laser hair removal, you can know that this will help you after laser hair removal. The therapeutic aloe gel can also be used as pre-treatment, so the next time you schedule an appointment, be sure to apply some before performing laser hair removal on yourself.

Apply lots of sunscreens

In the next few days, you should be getting back to feeling like your usual self. Sunscreens don’t mean that the threat of damage is gone, though. Anytime you plan to go outside, sunny or not, you should always apply some sunscreen. This sunscreen should be at least 30 SPF, if not more, and protect from both UVA and UVB.

It is crucial that sunscreen is applied if there is even the slightest chance that you will get into contact with UV rays. You should even apply sunscreen if you’re sitting in front of a window in your house. Over the next couple of weeks, you can gradually wean yourself back to your typical use or disuse of sunscreen.

No Forced Hair Removal

It would be best if you also were careful not to pluck, wax, or otherwise artificially remove stray hairs. It is safe to shave, but any other hair removal other than shaving is strongly discouraged. After treatment, your hair may take some time to shed; you must give it that time instead of risking further damage to your skin. If you must shave, then it is recommended you do so with your sharpest razor and only with water as opposed to shaving creams.

Dr. Irene Mazzuca MD from the Bareskin Medical team noted that users of the Bareskin laser device should avoid exercising for at least two days after using the device. It includes any sweating or perspiration. Sweating can irritate the skin treated with an IPL laser device. Please avoid the sun as well.

Exfoliate your skin

Finally, once your skin feels healthy and has lost its red or irritated appearance, you should begin exfoliating. Again, natural scrubs or those with less artificial scents are the best to use when exfoliating your body after laser hair removal.

This process helps the rest of the remaining hairs shed from their follicles more quickly. It is also a great way to clear away any dead skin cells left behind and leaves the area feeling much smoother afterwards. But, again, it is good to keep it at the end of every shower or bath in these last few weeks.

In the End

After treatment should be performed every month following a laser hair removal session. With this guide, you’ll soon find the healing process goes by in no time. Taking these steps also minimises the possibility of irritation and blistering from future sessions and promotes an overall smoother and healthier skin. So next time you use the Bareskin laser hair removal machine, remember these tips for the quickest road to recovery!

Medically reviewed by: Dr. Robert Walters MD (Dermatologist)