How to care for your skin after laser hair removal
Laser hair removal is a process, and what you do after each session can help keep your skin comfortable while your results build.
The good news: aftercare is simple. As Dr. Will Kirby, LaserAway's Chief Medical Officer and Board-Certified Dermatologist, explains, laser hair removal aftercare is mostly "common sense caution," with "no cumbersome aftercare protocols."
Key takeaways
- After laser hair removal, keep the treated area cool and avoid sweat, heat, and friction for 24 hours.
- Use gentle moisturizer, cool or lukewarm water, and SPF 30+ while your skin is sensitive.
- Do not wax, tweeze, thread, bleach, use depilatory creams, or use harsh exfoliants between sessions.
- Shedding often starts within 7 to 10 days and can continue for 2 to 3 weeks.
- You can shave between treatments once the skin feels calm, but avoid shaving if the area is still red, irritated, itchy, or swollen.
- Staying consistent with your sessions helps target hair during the active growth phase.
What to do immediately after your session
Right after laser hair removal, treat your skin like it is extra sensitive. The laser energy has targeted hair follicles under the skin, so redness, mild swelling, itching, or small bumps around the follicles can happen.
For the first 24 hours after laser hair removal:
- Avoid working out or sweating
- Avoid saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, and hot yoga
- Avoid hot showers or baths
- Avoid swimming pools, oceans, lakes, and other bodies of water
- Avoid tight clothing over the treated area
- Avoid rubbing, scratching, or picking at the skin
- Avoid harsh or scented products on the treated area
- Use a cool compress if the area feels warm or uncomfortable
- Apply a gentle moisturizer or soothing product recommended by your provider
If it is your first session, feeling a little nervous is completely normal. Taylor Coverson, a LaserAway patient, says, "I was definitely nervous at first. Laser hair removal felt intimidating before I actually tried it." But the treatment felt more manageable than she expected: "It honestly wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I was surprised by how manageable it was."
The first few days following LHR
The initial three days after your laser hair removal session are important for protecting your skin as it heals. Here's what you should focus on:
Sun Protection: Direct sunlight can harm sensitive skin and affect the efficacy of your treatment. Corey Ordoyne, RN, advises, "Barrier protection such as a hat, sunglasses, long sleeves, and sunscreen are the best ways to protect your skin." She also recommends "an SPF of at least 30, regardless if it's cloudy outside or not."
Gentle Skin Care: Avoid harsh topical products like medicated washes, scrubs, or scented lotions. Opt for cool showers and pat your skin dry instead of rubbing.
Moisturize and Soothe: Apply a mild hydrocortisone cream mixed with a gentle emollient such as Vaseline® or Aquaphor® to soothe irritation. Do this up to three times a day to ease itching and redness.
How should I care for your skin between laser hair removal sessions?
Between appointments, your main job is to protect the treated area and keep the hair follicle intact for your next session. Laser hair removal works by targeting pigment in the hair during the active growth phase, so removing the hair from the root can interfere with your treatment plan.
Here's how to maintain your skin:
Hair Removal: Shave if necessary, but avoid other hair removal methods like waxing or plucking, which can disrupt the treatment process.
Avoid Bleaching: Bleaching hair in the treated area can interfere with the laser's ability to target hair roots effectively.
What can I expect after my laser hair removal treatment?
Laser hair removal results happen gradually. You usually will not walk out of one session with instant hair reduction because treated hairs still need time to shed.
Immediately After: It's normal to experience redness, swelling, or itching. These symptoms indicate your skin's response to the laser treatment.
72 Hours Later: Any side effects typically subside, and the skin begins to normalize. The hair will still appear to grow as it is ejected from the follicle.
1 – 3 Weeks After: You'll notice hair shedding and a reduction in hair density. This is your treatment starting to show its effects.
4-6 Weeks After: As new hair growth cycles begin, it's time for your next session to target more hair follicles.
Taylor noticed her results building over time: "After just a few sessions, I noticed the hair growing back slower and thinner." That gradual change is expected because laser hair removal works in a series, targeting hair as it moves through the active growth phase.
How to manage common side effects
Despite best efforts, some patients may experience minor side effects. Dr. Kirby notes that "very mild discomfort is, by far, the most common side effect," and that some patients may also experience mild swelling or temporary itching after treatment. Here's how to address them:
For Laser Bumps and Swelling: Apply a mix of hydrocortisone cream and a soothing agent like Aloe Vera gel. Use cold packs to reduce swelling and avoid heat and tight clothing.
For Redness, Swelling, or Discomfort: The same treatment as for laser bumps applies—gentle moisturization, cold packs, and avoiding heat.
For Itching: Hydrocortisone cream and antihistamines can relieve itching. Remember, don't scratch!
Set yourself up for success
Laser hair removal is a process, and the care you take between sessions helps keep your skin comfortable while your results build. Keep the area cool, avoid irritation, protect your skin from the sun, and follow the plan your provider gives you.
As Taylor puts it, "My skin feels smoother and healthier without all the irritation I used to have from shaving." She also says, "I feel way more confident not worrying about hair or razor bumps anymore."
Ready to learn what laser hair removal can do for you? Schedule a free consultation with LaserAway and get a personalized treatment plan for your skin, hair, and goals.
FAQs About Laser Hair Removal Aftercare
How long does redness last after laser hair removal?
Mild redness often improves within a few hours to a few days. Some patients may have redness or swelling around the follicles for 2 to 3 days, and in some cases up to a week. If symptoms worsen or do not improve, contact LaserAway.
What should I put on my skin after laser hair removal?
Use gentle, soothing products recommended by your provider. LaserAway may recommend hydrocortisone 1% mixed with Vaseline® or Aquaphor® as needed for irritation or itching. Avoid harsh skincare until the area feels calm.
How long after laser hair removal can I work out?
Avoid working out and sweating for at least 24 hours after treatment. Sweat and heat can make freshly treated skin feel more irritated.
Can I go in the sun after laser hair removal?
Avoid direct sun exposure after treatment and use SPF 30+ with barrier protection outdoors. Sun exposure can increase irritation and may affect treatment safety.
Why does hair look like it is growing after laser hair removal?
This can happen because treated hair is moving toward the surface before it sheds. Shedding often starts within 7 to 10 days and may continue for 2 to 3 weeks.
Can I wax between laser hair removal sessions?
No. Avoid waxing, tweezing, threading, bleaching, depilatory creams, and electrolysis between sessions. Shaving is the only recommended hair removal method between appointments.
Can You Shower After Laser Hair Removal?
Yes, but use cool or lukewarm water. Avoid hot showers, hot baths, steam rooms, and saunas while your skin is freshly treated. Hot water can make redness, itching, and sensitivity feel worse.
Can You Shave After Laser Hair Removal?
You can shave between laser hair removal sessions, but do not shave right away if the skin is still red, itchy, swollen, bumpy, or tender. Give the area time to calm down first.
Should You Exfoliate After Laser Hair Removal?
Do not exfoliate right away. Your skin needs time to settle after treatment. Avoid scrubs, exfoliating brushes, acids, and rough washcloths for the first few days, or until your LaserAway provider says it is okay.
When should I book my next laser hair removal appointment?
Your provider will recommend timing based on your treatment area and regrowth. Face and neck treatments are often scheduled every 4 to 6 weeks, while body treatments are often scheduled every 6 to 8 weeks.