Can you imagine having smooth skin all year? Want to leave shaving and excruciating waxing sessions in the past? We know you’ve had it on your checklist.
Here’s what you should know about Brazilian laser hair removal. Depending on the amount of hair growth, laser hair removal may take multiple sessions; but most importantly, preparation is vital!
To prepare for Brazilian laser hair removal, shave the area at least twenty-four hours before the appointment. For at least six weeks before treatments, avoid alternative hair removal methods. Also, certain topical skin products such as retinol, salicylic acid, and Benzoyl peroxide. Lastly, on the day of the treatment, have your skin thoroughly cleansed and free of beauty products.
Pre-Treatment Guidelines
Before your first Brazilian laser hair removal treatment, you should avoid specific hair removal methods, consult your doctors about current medications, and avoid sun exposure and tanning beds.
Avoid Certain Hair Removal Methods
For at least six weeks before your Brazilian laser hair removal treatment, you should avoid any hair removal and extraction methods. This is vital to remember because laser hair removal has to target the root of the hair to have an effective treatment.
Since the goal is to keep the hair follicle in its place for Brazilian laser hair removal, it’s essential to wait six weeks before using depilatory creams such as Nair, waxing, or plucking. Since laser hair removal treatments occur every two weeks, it’s best to postpone any hair removal methods until you have completed all laser hair removal treatments.
In addition, you should shave the area within twenty-four hours of having a treatment session. Shaving is essential to laying the body hair flat against your skin, allowing the laser to detect the pigment and remove the hair follicle easily. As you continue reading, we’ll give more guidelines on properly shaving the area.
Medication Considerations
Many medications can interrupt the laser hair removal treatment because the skin is more prone to sensitivity and can create side effects. Many medications that can interfere with a Brazilian laser hair removal treatment are:
- Acne medications
- Blood thinners
- Any topical creams with retinol
- Antibiotics
In addition, you should consult your doctor if you’re taking aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medications before scheduling your procedure.
Avoid Sun Exposure and Fake Tans
Spending time outdoors in the sun can increase your chances of developing laser burns during treatment. During laser hair removal, lasers must see the distinct difference between skin and hair to remove the hair successfully.
Since tanning makes your skin darker, the laser will try to target the melanin in your skin instead of the hair follicle. Before laser hair removal, you should avoid prolonged sun exposure and tanning beds.
Avoiding sun exposure and tanning beds can also reduce your risk of developing burns on the skin.
Skin Preparation
Properly taking care of your skin before Brazilian laser hair removal is essential to ensure a safe and effective procedure. You’ll want to prep your skin because it helps prevent skin damage properly, reduces your risk of developing side effects, and improves the effectiveness of laser hair removal.
Clean Your Skin
When you arrive at a medical spa for Brazilian laser hair removal, you must ensure the designated treatment area is clean. Uncleaned skin with remnants of lotions, dirt, and perfumes can interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment.
The laser can make its way directly into the hair follicle with clean skin.
Avoid Lotions and Impurities
Before your treatment, the skin should be clean of makeup, lotions, body oils, sunless tanning lotions, deodorants, creams, etc. When you have topical products on the skin, this can increase your chance of developing a reaction from the laser. At least five days before your treatment, you should avoid using the following:
- Benzoyl Peroxide
- Salicylic Acids
- Retinols
In addition, you should avoid physical activities that increase sweat build-up for at least two hours before treatments.
Avoid Alcohol & Caffeine
Before your laser hair removal, you should avoid alcohol and caffeine. Alcohol and caffeine can dehydrate the skin, making your skin more prone to sensitivity and irritation. Professionals recommend avoiding alcohol and caffeine at least twenty-four hours before a treatment.
In the days and hours leading up to a Brazilian laser hair removal treatment, staying hydrated is crucial to keeping your skin healthy. Hydration can help minimize dryness, making your laser hair removal treatment more uncomfortable.
Specifics for Brazilian Laser Hair Removal
Some essential tips to remember when getting a Brazilian laser hair removal treatment are to shave before your appointment, wear appropriate clothing, and avoid hot showers.
Shaving Before Appointment
Before a Brazilian laser hair removal, you’ll want to ensure you shave the area before the appointment. Although you won’t need a complete shave, the hair should be at least 0.4 inches long.
The hair must be a manageable length for an effective treatment. To allow a better shave, you can section the area, trim the hair with scissors before shaving, don’t use too much pressure, and avoid over-shaving.
In addition, shaving the bikini area might be more difficult in a shower, so professionals recommend doing so in a bathtub. While shaving in a bathtub, you can safely kneel without entirely having your bikini area underwater.
Wear Appropriate Clothing
When going for a Brazilian laser hair removal, professionals recommend wearing cotton underwear because your skin will be sensitive for a few days after treatment. Cotton underwear is one of the best solutions because it will not irritate your skin if you develop a reaction.
After your treatment, skin redness is expected and causes no reason for worry. In addition, you should wear loose-fitting clothing and let your skin breathe to help prevent skin irritation.
It’s also essential to know that if you experience irritation while working out, you should take a break to allow the area to recover and develop an even worse reaction fully.
Brazilian Laser Hair Removal Aftercare Recommendations
After laser hair removal, it’s normal to experience some redness in the area that could last for several days, depending on your skin type. The treatment area may feel similar to a sunburn after the laser hair removal.
Over the next few weeks, you might experience hair shedding from the area. During this time, you might experience patches of hair growth that will fade as the laser hair removal treatments progress.
Remember, it’s essential to follow proper post-treatment care guidelines to avoid the chance of scarring and skin texture changes to your skin.
Medications for Irritation
During a laser hair removal treatment, the laser heats and destroys the hair follicle. Some skin irritation may occur when this happens, creating a histamine reaction for some people. You may experience hives, itching, redness, or swelling when a histamine reaction occurs.
If you experience a histamine reaction, you can take over-the-counter medications such as Allegra, Benadryl, and Zyrtec to help alleviate the swelling and itching. In addition, gels such as Aloe can help soothe the affected area.
Avoid Hot Showers
After your treatment, you’ll want to avoid taking a hot shower. Hot showers can cause discomfort and can cause skin irritation. Professionals recommend waiting at least forty-eight hours before taking a hot shower post-treatment.
If you must take a shower post-treatment, you should take a cold shower to limit skin sensitivity and irritations. Protecting your skin after laser hair removal is essential for the best results.
The Bottom Line
If you’re tired of ineffective results from other hair removal methods, Brazilian laser hair removal is one of the best options. When you get Brazilian laser hair removal, you can receive outstanding results in as little as four to ten treatments. After each treatment, you should refrain from waxing the area to avoid further irritation and sensitivity.
For the best results from Brazilian laser hair removal, it’s essential to avoid other hair removal methods, clean the skin, avoid caffeine and alcohol, consult your doctor about medications, and follow aftercare recommendations.
With the help of our guide, you can properly prepare for Brazilian laser hair removal and achieve excellent results!
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do you shave before Brazilian laser hair removal?
Before your Brazilian laser hair removal, shave the area at least 12 to 24 hours before the treatment. Shavings allow the laser to effectively penetrate the hair follicle to receive a practical laser hair removal session. It’s essential to apply shaving oil to minimize irritation and infection.
2. Does Brazilian laser hair removal work for any skin type?
When you receive laser hair removal, the laser targets the hair follicle’s pigment, allowing people with darker hair and light complexions to receive the best results. With that said, those with lighter hair may receive less impact. For best results, you should consult your medical aesthetician to determine how much Brazilian laser hair removal would be effective.
3. How many sessions are needed for Brazilian laser hair removal?
The number of treatments during a Brazilian laser hair removal depends on how much hair you have around the area. You’ll want to remove every hair around the bikini area, which can take anywhere from four to ten sessions.
Hey there, I’m Jennifer M. Lowes, but my friends call me Jenn. Born and raised in sunny California. By day, I’m a freelance makeup artist transforming everyday people into their best selves. By night, I’m here on this blog, sharing my favorite nail designs, makeup tips, hair styling techniques, and much more.