One of the most important things to avoid immediately after laser hair removal is anything that irritates your skin, as discussed in “ What to do after laser hair removal? ” Things that can irritate the skin include showering, especially hot showers, and saunas.
However, the shower and hygiene routine after laser hair removal can be a little confusing. So you may be wondering, can you shower after laser hair removal?
Also, do you want to know how soon you can shower after laser hair removal? If so, read on and find your answers here.
- Part 1: Can you shower after laser hair removal?
- Part 2: How soon can you shower after laser hair removal?
- Part 3: Can you take a hot shower after laser hair removal?
- Part 4: Dealing with discomfort and sensitivities
- Part 5: Long-term aftercare for laser hair removal
- Part 6: Conclusion
Can you shower after laser hair removal?
In theory, you can shower after laser hair removal because the laser leaves the skin intact. In practice, however, it is not recommended to shower immediately after the procedure. This is because the hair follicles are swollen after the treatment and the skin is also inflamed, sensitive and irritated.
In addition, the damaged hair strands fall out and some dead skin cells also remain attached to the intact cells. Under these circumstances, water flowing on your skin can cause an unpleasant feeling. Using soaps, loofahs and scrubs can irritate the skin.
Additionally, the effectiveness of laser hair removal will be reduced if you don't give your skin enough time to heal. Your skin's response to the treatment also plays an important role in determining whether you can shower after laser hair removal.
People with healthy and intact skin only need a few hours of rest, while people with sensitive skin need a longer time.
How soon can you shower after laser hair removal?
You can shower 6 to 8 hours after your laser hair removal treatment. However, the ideal recommendation is to wait at least 24 hours before showering for the first time. During this time, you should moisturize your skin and apply cold compresses to soothe the treatment area.
Your shower can last 15 to 30 minutes. Do not exceed this time, as too much water will affect the results of the treatment and dry out the skin. You should also use cold water for your first shower and gradually increase the water temperature in subsequent showers.
Also, be as gentle as possible, use a mild body wash, avoid gloves or cleansing wipes, and apply moisturizer immediately after showering.
Can you take a hot shower after laser hair removal?
No, you cannot take a hot shower immediately after laser hair removal. You are generally not allowed to shower, go to the sauna, swim, exercise or do anything that makes your body hot and your skin sweat. Even if you take a shower within 10 hours of the treatment, you must not take a hot shower for at least 2 days.
The skin and hair follicles are inflamed after laser hair removal. Rinsing the body with hot water increases the inflammation because the temperature rises. This increases the redness and irritation of the skin after lasering and can lead to laser burns, blisters and delayed healing.
Dealing with discomfort and sensitivities
Showering after laser hair removal can feel uncomfortable on the skin. Here are some tips to enjoy showering without skin irritation.
Take cold showers:
Cold showers have a soothing effect on the skin, while hot showers irritate it. Therefore, you should always take cold showers to avoid discomfort, redness and skin irritation.
Use gentle cleaning products:
Skip your regular body soap or facial cleanser for a few days and use gentle cleansing products designed for sensitive skin types. Be careful when using mild body washes too. Do not rub or treat your body carelessly.
Avoid loofahs, gloves and scrubs:
Only use a cleansing product when showering. Do not use scrubs, loofahs, gloves or towels during or after showering.
Limit the time you shower:
Don't stay in the bath or shower for hours. Limit the time to a maximum of 30 minutes and reduce it if you feel irritation.
Use a skin care product after shower:
Although you should skip your usual multi-step skincare routine, don't skip moisturizer and sunscreen. Use your moisturizer or aloe vera gel after showering to hydrate skin, and apply sunscreen when you go outside.
Long-term aftercare for laser hair removal
Laser aftercare doesn't end with avoiding hot showers, and there's still a long way to go before that happens, so here are some tips for long-term laser hair removal aftercare.
- Gentle cleansing products: Use gentle body and face washes to cleanse your body after laser hair removal.
- Moisturize regularly: Use hydrating and gentle moisturizers as recommended in “ Best Moisturizers After Hair Removal at Home ” .
- Sunscreen and avoiding sun exposure: Always protect your skin from the sun after laser treatment using the tips listed under "Tips for safe skin in the sun."
- No harsh products: This includes AHAs, BHAs, retinol, self-tanners, and any harsh products you may have.
- Exfoliate the skin after one week: Since the hair falls out after laser treatment, you can use an exfoliant about a week after the treatment to remove the stuck hair.
- Don't scratch your skin: Laser hair removal may make your skin itch. But never give in to the urge to scratch your skin.
- No plucking: Always shave off unwanted hair during treatment instead of plucking it. Also shave any stray hairs you find after treatment is complete.
- Follow your doctor's instructions: Finally, your doctor can recommend a skin care routine that suits your skin type.
Conclusion
With laser hair removal, the hair follicles are destroyed by heat when the light reaches the follicles. This makes the skin sensitive. Therefore, it is recommended not to shower for at least 6 to 8 hours after the treatment and not to take hot showers for at least 48 hours.
You should also follow post-treatment care tips to prevent and reduce laser side effects, promote recovery, and achieve the best results.
