Laser Hair Removal Aftercare: What to Do (and Avoid) Between Sessions
Laser hair removal works over a series of sessions, which means what you do between appointments matters just as much as the treatment itself. Good aftercare protects your skin, keeps you comfortable, and helps you get the results you’re paying for. Here’s what our medical aestheticians recommend.
Immediately After Your Treatment (First 24–48 Hours)
It’s normal to see mild redness and slight swelling around the treated hair follicles right after a session — this usually settles within a day or two. During that window:
- Skip hot showers, baths, saunas, and hot tubs for 24–48 hours — heat can aggravate treated skin.
- Hold off on the gym or anything that causes heavy sweating for a day, since sweat and friction can irritate the area.
- Avoid sun exposure and apply SPF 30+ if the treated area will be exposed — treated skin is more sensitive to UV right after a session.
- Skip perfumed lotions, exfoliants, and retinoids on the treated area for a couple of days.
- Wear loose, breathable clothing over the treated area to avoid friction.
Between Sessions: What Not to Do
- Don’t wax, pluck, or thread the treated area. Laser hair removal targets the hair follicle itself, and waxing or plucking removes the hair from the root — which means there’s nothing left for the laser to target at your next session. Shaving is the only hair removal method you should use between appointments.
- Avoid sun exposure and tanning (including self-tanner) on treated areas for the full course of your treatment plan. Tanned or sunburned skin has more melanin, which increases the risk of burns or pigment changes from the laser — and we may need to postpone your session if your skin is sunburned or freshly tanned.
- Skip strong actives like retinoids and exfoliating acids on treated skin in the days immediately before and after each session.
Between Sessions: What to Do
- Shave as needed between sessions — it’s the one hair removal method that’s not only safe, but recommended.
- Moisturize regularly to keep treated skin calm and comfortable.
- Use SPF daily on any treated area that sees sun exposure, especially the face.
- Stick to your treatment schedule — we typically recommend sessions every 4–8 weeks, timed to your hair’s growth cycle. Spacing sessions too far apart can mean starting over on hair that’s already re-entered its growth phase.
Why Sun Protection Matters So Much
Laser hair removal works by targeting the pigment (melanin) in each hair follicle. Sun-exposed or tanned skin has more melanin in the skin itself, which makes it harder for the laser to distinguish between the hair and the surrounding skin — raising the risk of burns or temporary pigment changes. That’s part of why we recommend avoiding tanning throughout your treatment course, not just around appointments.
When to Contact Us
Mild redness and slight puffiness for a day or two is expected. If you notice blistering, unusual or worsening redness beyond a couple of days, or anything that looks like it could be an infection, get in touch with us. Every new client also completes a consultation and test patch before starting treatment, which helps us catch any sensitivity issues before your first full session.
Ready for Your Next Session?
Whether you’re booking your first appointment or your fifth, our team is here to help you get the most out of your treatment plan. Book an appointment, or see our laser hair removal page and current pricing to plan your next steps.
