Sensitive skin management can be tricky and annoying on one end of the spectrum, and downright maddening on the other. Skincare products, scratchy fabrics, and laundry detergents can cause unexpected bumps, itching, flaking, or even hives. Removing unwanted body hair can also feel like rolling the dice: Will shaving or waxing result in smooth skin or lingering irritation?
Laser hair removal for sensitive skin offers a long-term option for removing body hair. It’s safe and effective for all skin types, including darker skin tones. Doing a few specific things before a full-on treatment, however, can spare you some discomfort and irritation.
What Is Sensitive Skin?
Having sensitive skin means that your skin has adverse reactions to things that aren’t usually problematic. Certain substances, such as lotions, cleansers, household cleaning products, or certain fabrics, or exposure to excessive sun, heat, or cold, can all cause skin irritation. People with sensitive skin are often especially sensitive to these elements; they may experience bumps, redness, swelling, itching, or soreness.
Shaving, waxing, and depilatory creams can aggravate or trigger irritation in sensitive skin. The good news is that laser hair removal is usually well-tolerated, even for people with sensitive skin. It’s always a good idea to talk to your dermatologist before laser hair removal to help determine whether it would be safe and effective for you. They can provide suggestions to ensure the treatment works well without irritating your skin.
Laser Hair Removal and Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin laser hair removal is generally safe, as long as you choose an experienced technician who understands how to manage care for sensitive skin.
Laser hair removal works by passing a laser wand across the surface of the skin the client wishes to be treated. The wand emits targeted bursts of light energy toward the hairs and heats the pigment in each hair strand. The heat destroys the follicle so that it can’t grow new hair.
The laser’s wavelength is tuned to the pigments in your hair and NOT the lighter pigments in the surrounding skin. As a result, your skin won’t be damaged, though you may experience discomfort from the heat of the laser. After treatment, your skin may be sore, red, or slightly inflamed for a day or so.
Laser Hair Removal for Sensitive Skin
The best preparation for laser hair removal on sensitive skin is a conversation with your technician. Let them know how your skin typically responds to irritation, sun, and heat, as well as any ingredients you know to be problematic. Once they understand your skin concerns, they can create and execute a personalized treatment plan that safely delivers the results you want.
You may need a lower-intensity laser to prevent irritation. Your technician may also use cooling techniques, such as cool air or cooling gels, to soothe the skin immediately after the laser passes over it. If your skin is particularly sensitive to pain, you can ask for a numbing cream to reduce discomfort during treatment.
If you want to see how your skin reacts before committing to a full series of treatments, ask for a patch test. Your technician will use the laser on a small area. Once you know how your skin will respond, the technician can make any necessary adjustments to your treatment settings.
Before and After Laser Hair Removal
You should take proper steps to prepare your skin in the days leading up to your laser hair removal appointment. Be sure to:
- Avoid direct UV exposure, including tanning beds, for at least a week before and after your appointment.
- Use gentle skincare products you know won’t irritate your skin to keep your skin calm and healthy during treatment.
- Avoid prescription-strength products containing harsh active ingredients such as retinoids, as they can make skin more susceptible to irritation.
After treatment, you can:
- Use cool compresses to ease any soreness or redness.
- Take over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen if you need them.
- Shower without using extremely hot water.
- Avoid any exfoliating ingredients.
- Use gentle, fragrance-free moisturizers.
You should also skip the gym for at least a week to prevent chafing. Avoid swimming or taking a dip in hot tubs for a couple of weeks to reduce the risk of infection.
Expert Laser Hair Removal in Manhattan
If you want to learn more about New York laser hair removal for sensitive skin, contact Laser by Monica or drop by our Manhattan location. We can work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan to ensure you achieve the results you want without irritating your sensitive skin.