The 6 Key Things you NEED TO KNOW…
We’re gearing up at The Cornwall Skin Clinic for a super busy season of Laser Hair Removal. So, to make sure our lovely clients are perfectly prepped and ready for their Laser Hair Removal series sessions, we thought we’d give you a heads up on the best practice prep for silky smooth -sensational skin!
Perfect Prep No.1: STAY SUPER SUN SMART!
The Soprano Titanium isn’t like most lasers – it can treat tanned skin but sunburn especially, increases the risk of skin lightening side effects.
Perfect Prep No.2: SHAVE!
This may sound a little strange but do shave the area you are getting laser treated the night before your session. Don’t shave on the day of your session as this may cause your skin to be a little more sensitive than usual. Shaving stimulates hair growth and optimal laser hair removal results are achieved when the hair is in an active growth phase. Also – and this is really important – DO NOT wax, pluck, or bleach before your treatment. Laser Hair Removal works by targeting the hair follicles. If waxing or plucking has ripped these out – well, there’s nothing to target. Bleaching may increase the risk of adverse side effects such as skin lightening so avoid that as well. Then after your first treatment, don’t be tempted to go back to waxing or plucking – LEAVE THE TWEEZERS ALONE! The hair that has been treated needs to fall out of its own free will in order to achieve the best results.
Perfect Prep No.3: Stop – Just Stop…
Using specific anti-ageing creams, oils, or lotions have ingredients in them that may hamper the effectiveness of the treatment or cause irritation to your skin. Some ingredients that might cause irritation include alphahydroxy acid, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide. If you are at all concerned about your skincare regime, make sure you discuss this with your laser hair removal technician. There are also some medications that are incompatible with laser hair removal. Medications that are photosensitive need to be stopped at least one week prior to your first session. Some antibiotics are photosensitive, so if you are taking any kind of antibiotic or have an infection of any kind, please check with your doctor before your treatment date.
Perfect Prep No.4: Come Clean
On the day of your treatments make sure you come with clean skin. No deodorants, no creams, oils, or lotions. Just you – bare and beautiful! Any kind of cosmetics or skin creams may increase the risk of side effects. After your treatment, make sure you use a good SPF lotion.
Perfect Prep No.5: Attend till the End!
You’ve done all the hard work. You’ve prepped to perfection. All you need to do to get smooth skin is complete your treatments. Once hair growth slows down some patients are tempted to stop attending their sessions. This can result in the hair growth starting again and you’ll be back to square one. To make sure your laser hair removal treatments are effective, listen to your technician – they know what they’re doing, and they know how long to continue treatments to achieve the very optimum results.
Perfect Prep No.6: Don’t Come Intoxicated.
We know this might sound strange but please do not come for your laser hair removal session the day after a heavy night’s drinking or at the end of one! You need to be able to give your technician feedback throughout the session. Alcohol can also make your skin more sensitive and so it’s best to leave a few days between heavy drinking and laser hair removal.
