What to Expect After Your First Laser Hair Removal Appointment

Lexington Tattoo Removal • March 7, 2024

Before you start your laser hair removal appointments, you may have some lingering questions. The foremost is, "What can I expect after my first laser hair removal appointment?" At Lexington Tattoo Removal, our experienced team has prepared answers to frequently asked questions about laser hair removal, especially those related to your first session. Keep reading to set your expectations about laser hair removal and prepare for your appointments.

A client receiving a hair removal session near Lexington, Kentucky (KY)

 Will All My Hair Be Gone After One Treatment?

No. It typically takes about two weeks for the hair in the treatment area to fall out, and then some returns. This hair "returns" because your hair goes through growth cycles where only roughly 30% grows at any given time. Further, each patient has differences in hair color, growth speed, and hair type, meaning there is no comparison between patients. Most people need multiple sessions to remove hair from the treatment area altogether.

 How Many Appointments for Laser Hair Removal Does It Take?

On average, our team at Lexington Tattoo Removal recommends six sessions to remove hair completely. Attending each session ensures we target the hair follicles in the right stage and lets us monitor how well the treatments are going. Depending on your hair, removing all your hair in an area may take fewer or more sessions.

What Happens To My Skin After the First Treatment?

You may notice red bumps in the treatment area after your first treatment. This reaction is normal for the laser treatment, lasting from one to two hours for most people. If you experience additional irritation after that point, we recommend using a numbing ointment or cream for the area. We use Tattoo Numb Cream to provide these topical numbing creams for your convenience.

Beyond that, your skin will be sensitive to sunlight, so avoiding sun exposure to the treatment area as much as possible is essential. But if you do go out, protect your skin from the sun.

 How Do I Protect My Skin?

The easiest way to protect your skin from the sun is to stay inside and away from windows as much as possible. Covering the treatment area with clothing is another way to protect it if you go out. If your treatment area isn't an area you can cover with clothing, then wearing sunscreen and limiting the time you're out is the best way to protect it other than staying indoors.

 Can I Shave After Laser Hair Removal?

You can resume shaving as usual after your laser hair removal appointments. Before each session, it's part of the preparation to shave the treatment area so the laser can target the hair follicles and reduce the amount of hair growth in the area. Just be mindful of irritation in the area and monitor its healing between sessions.

Schedule Your Free Laser Hair Removal Consultation Today

When you're ready to start your hair removal journey, you can rely on our team of Certified Laser Hair Removal Specialists. Lexington Tattoo Removal offers free consultations for hair removal, tattoo removal, and microblading removal.

We proudly serve Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, West Virginia, and Ohio. Contact us today to learn more.

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