Sun safety and laser hair removal
Beach games.
Poolside drinks.
Outside workouts.
It’s safe to assume at least one of those scenarios was on your mind when you inquired about laser hair removal.
You want more than hair-free, smooth skin; you want to show it off! Of course you would. That’s why you invested in this tremendous gift for yourself.
In due time, you’ll be enjoying all that fun in the sun. But some parameters must be followed to make your hair-free journey an efficient success with no unnecessary hiccups. And one of the most significant rules to follow has to do with sun safety.
What can you do? And more importantly, what CAN’T you do in the middle of your laser hair removal journey? We’ll give you all the do’s and don’ts so you can safely work on that suntan.
So sit back, relax, and read on to find out how.
A client wants to be treated after a day in the sun. Is that ok?
Has the client exposed their desired areas to be treated to the sun? If so, no, unfortunately.
It’s safe to assume a whole day spent in the sun would result in either a sunburn or the skin taking on a non-baseline tone. Also, treating skin that’s endured a sunburn would not be a pleasant experience.
And there’s no rule of thumb for how long a client must wait to resume treatment. Clients will be treated once their baseline tone returns. Reputable laser hair removal professionals can assess pigment and determine whether the laser treatment can take place.
Too much suntan means you won’t get treated …
What is of most importance with sun safety and laser hair removal?
Educating clients about baseline skin tone is essential. That way, they know what their skin needs to look like to be effectively treated. Too much suntan means you won’t get treated, and your hair-free journey will take longer than necessary.
That means staying out of the sun longer and not enjoying the summer fun. Nobody wants that!
What questions might a laser hair removal professional ask before a treatment?
These questions will likely be asked at any reputable laser hair removal clinic or spa:
*Have you had any recent sun exposure?
*Are you planning on having any sun exposure after treatment?
Those laser hair removal professionals are doing their best to set you up for success. And while staying out of the sun in the middle of summer is challenging, doing so could mean a massive payoff with smooth, hair-free skin in the most efficient manner possible.
Also, the laser is designed to target pigment. However, it can’t distinguish the difference between the pigment in the hair versus the pigment produced by the melanin in the skin. As a result, treating tanned skin could mean a real possibility of a client getting burned.
What tips can people follow for sun safety after laser hair removal?
It’s important to wear clothing over areas that are to or have been treated. Clothing is actually available that is UPF protected.
Other great ways to protect yourself from the sun include wearing wide-brimmed hats and using sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB rays. Also, don’t forget to reapply sunscreen every few hours.
Is there anything clients can do to get treated sooner following sun exposure?
Again, it comes back to giving your skin enough time to reach its natural tone.
But to expedite the process, you can exfoliate. Doing this will rid yourself of the top layer of skin, leaving a new, smooth, healthy layer of skin.