How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal

If you have had enough of waxing, bleaching, or shaving unwanted hair, laser hair removal offers another option that can leave you with smooth skin that lasts. To get the most out of your hair removal session, it helps to start preparing at least four weeks ahead of time. 

What is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal can put an end to waxing and shaving. Dr. Robert Langdon and his team use the Vectus® hair removal laser, as well as the Apogee Elite™. Using two different lasers allows the safe treatment of patients with all skin types and tones. The Vectus® uses a technology called SkinTel that reads the levels of the pigment melanin in the skin. The system will use this information to adjust its settings for the safest and best results. 

How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

The Vectus® uses laser energy that passes through the skin and targets the melanin pigment inside the hair follicles. This causes the pigment to heat up, deactivating the follicle and stopping it from growing hair. Most people will need several treatments to achieve the best results. During any one treatment, some follicles are actively growing hair, and some are resting. Resting follicles contain no pigment, so the laser can only target follicles with hair roots in them. 

How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal

To get the most out of your sessions, you will need to prepare at least four weeks before. These preparations will make sure your laser treatment works as well as possible. 

Avoid Waxing and Plucking

These methods of hair removal pull hair out by the root. This leaves no pigment in the follicle. If you have waxed or plucked in the four weeks before treatment, the laser will not treat as many hairs as it could have. You can still shave, and you should shave about 24 hours before your treatment. 

Avoid Bleaching

Bleach can take the pigment out of the hair root. This also makes the hair follicle less visible to the laser so that fewer hairs will get treated. Give hair about four weeks for natural roots to grow back before your treatment session. 

Avoid Tanning

Avoid tanning or using self-tanner before treatment. Sun exposure can make skin more sensitive, and tanning enhances the amount of melanin in the skin. This can increase the risk of side effects in the areas of skin that are treated.

Discuss Your Medications

Ensure that the Langdon Center team knows about all of your medications, and avoid taking blood-thinning medications such as aspirin before your treatment. 

Am I a Good Candidate for Laser Hair Removal?

With two different laser systems, including the highly adjustable Vectus®, we can offer laser hair removal to people of almost every skin type and tone. Good candidates should follow these instructions for preparation so the laser can give them the best results. 

Take the Next Step

If you have further questions about laser hair removal, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at The Langdon Center in Guilford, CT. Call us at 203-453-8625 or fill out our convenient online contact form.