GUEST POST: Seven Dos and Don'ts Of Laser Hair Removal by Sarah Grey

Laser hair removal is one of the most popular non-surgical procedures on the market. But that doesn’t mean it’s a simple, carefree process. If you’re thinking about ditching the razor or epilator for the silky smooth feel of skin that’s undergone laser therapy, there are a few things you should keep in mind. After all, your skin is you body’s biggest organ, so you want to take as much care of it as possible.

Do

1. Use a qualified physician

The phenomenal growth of laser hair removal treatments and ease of purchasing equipment has tempted a large group of unqualified people to start offering these procedures in spas and salons. A laser should only be applied to the skin by a physician who is qualified in dermatology or a relevant specialty, with the right training and experience. Physicians can allow another trained technician to carry out this procedure but only if they are present to supervise. Blossomed IPL is one provider that only employs fully trained and certified laser therapists.

2. Ask questions

It can be hard to tell sometimes if the person who is about to treat you is fully qualified. The easiest way is to simply ask them a few questions. If they can’t tell you what kind of laser they’re using, what training they received or they’re hesitant to let you talk to one of their clients, get out of there!

3. Undergo a skin test

Some people can experience adverse reactions to laser therapy. Before you undergo a procedure, ask for a skin test so you can be confident there won’t be any nasty side effects.

4. Be cautious if you have dark skin

If you have a darker complexion there is a small risk that you’ll experience skin lightening if your technician uses the wrong laser at the wrong setting. Ask them if they’ve treated people with different skin types to see if they’re aware of this before you begin.


Don’t


Get a tan immediately before or after

1. Freshly tanned skin can interfere with the absorption of light from the laser and can cause the skin to lighten. Avoid tanning lotions as well, the laser will perceive your skin as darker than it really is and inflict burns and bumps.

2. Target blonde hairs with lasers

Hair removal lasers are designed to primarily target dark hair follicles. Whilst they can work on lighter hairs, it’s definitely not as effective. So if you have blonde hair, consider waxing instead.

3. Undertake a procedure if you’re on light-sensitive medication

Certain medications are susceptible to interfering with laser procedures, making your skin more prone to scarring and burns. If you are on any medication, be sure to consult your doctor before undergoing a procedure.

Sarah is a beauty writer and blogger who works for Blossomed IPL.