Laser Hair Removal and Tretinoin
Whether it’s as simple as washing your face during your nighttime routine or getting more intricate with creams and other treatments, skincare matters!
You want your skin to not only look its best but also remain as healthy as possible.
And to that end, today we want to address one popular skincare option, tretinoin. Specifically, how it reacts to laser hair removal treatment.
We all want that beautiful, hair-free look, but can it be attained while using tretinoin? Read on to find out the do’s and don’ts with laser hair removal and tretinoin.
What is tretinoin and what does it do?
Tretinoin is used as an acne treatment or to treat other skin diseases as determined by a doctor. Its primary function is to keep skin pores clean, but it can also be used to treat wrinkles, dark spots, or rough skin, oftentimes caused by damaging rays from the sun.
Is tretinoin the same as retinol?
Both are retinoids, which means that they are compounds derived from Vitamin A. Both are commonly used as topical creams to address skin conditions; however, tretinoin is more concentrated than retinol.
We all want that beautiful, hair-free look, but can it be attained while using tretinoin?
How should tretinoin be used prior to laser hair removal?
Discontinuing the use of tretinoin products at least three days prior to any laser treatment is the correct move, and it’s what laser hair removal professionals recommend. Many tretinoin products are not only sun sensitive but also can make you more sensitive to the laser during treatment.
What risk is there if you use tretinoin during laser hair removal?
The biggest concern for any professional is that clients stay diligent with sun and UV protection in order to protect their skin for the duration of their treatments. There are no contraindications for any medications to include tretinoin.
How soon after laser hair removal can you use tretinoin?
There is no time frame for how soon you can use topical medications following laser hair removal treatment. The skin should get back to normal, and there should be no residual redness or other forms of irritation.
Additionally, other routine skincare and makeup applications can continue as usual following treatment, if desired.
It’s good to know about the safety of laser hair removal and tretinoin.
Absolutely! We want to look our best with our skincare and laser hair removal regimen, but most important, we want to do it in the safest manner possible.
Be transparent with your laser hair removal professional during the consultation, but also know that all medications are deemed safe to use during laser hair removal treatment.
While it’s not necessary or required that all skincare products be disclosed to your laser hair removal professional, it’s a good discussion to have so they know your skin care routines in order to achieve the best results!