In most cases, the skin calms down around 48 hours after your laser hair removal, so that's when you can resume your regular physical activity. However, if your skin is taking longer to calm down, you should wait a little longer to exercise, as well.
For 24 -48 hours after the treatment, please avoid excessive sweating, hot showers, shaving, waxing, and plucking the treatment area.
Most sources recommend waiting at least 24-48 hours after laser hair removal before returning to your regular exercise routine, including weight lifting. This is because the skin may be sensitive and prone to irritation immediately after the treatment.
However, after treatment, it is generally advisable to hold off on strenuous exercise for at least 24 to 48 hours. The reason for this is straightforward: exercise raises blood flow and body temperature. This increase can lead to more redness, swelling, and irritation in the area that was treated.
To avoid exacerbating this irritation, it's best to postpone exercise. Typically, a 48-hour waiting period is recommended before resuming physical activities. If your skin's recovery is slower, extend this rest period accordingly.
48 hours is insurance for the laser techs to make sure your body temperature doesn't raise and cause a negative adverse reaction or sensitivity to the laser. If you are going to though, at least make sure to work out 4-6 hours before or after treatment.
While it may be tempting to pull out loose hairs after your laser treatment, resisting the urge will yield better results and prevent skin irritation.
You can participate in low-impact activities like going for a walk (as long as it's not too hot outside) or stretching. On the other hand, any activities that'll raise your heart rate like jogging, weight lifting, Zumba, crossfit, or an intense team sport are best avoided for at least two days following your treatment.
Use cold compresses: Applying cold compresses during the first 24 to 48 hours after your treatment can help reduce swelling and discomfort. Stay cool: Avoid hot showers, saunas, and strenuous exercise for the first few days after treatment. Heat can increase inflammation and slow healing.
Take a break from intense workouts for a few days and stick to gentle activities like walking until your skin has healed. Direct Sunlight: Avoid exposing your skin to direct sunlight for 4-6 weeks after treatment. UV rays can cause hyperpigmentation, slow healing, and increase the risk of scarring.
It's best to wait 24 hours but at least 6-8 hours before showering to allow your skin to recover from the treatment.
Hairs begin to fall out in 5-14 days and may continue to do so for weeks. Hairs may be more rapidly removed by rubbing, scrubbing, or plucking (with no discomfort after 5 days) if one desires to speed up this part of the process. It is not necessary to do so.
Vlachos added, “There isn't any direct correlation between laser hair removal and increased body odour. However, if individuals are experiencing this, one possible explanation can be increased sweating after the treatment.
You may take a pain reliever and use ice packs. New skin usually covers the area in 7 to 10 days. Full recovery takes at least a month. During this time, don't use products that may irritate your face, such as cosmetics.
To avoid further irritation I advise my patients to avoid hot showers, baths, excessive sweating, steam rooms, saunas, workout and any other activity that can cause excess skin irritation, which may lead to blisters and rashes. Keep your skin comfortable and cool for at least 24-48 hours post treatment.
The recovery time is up to 3 to 5 days for the non-ablative lasers, and 1 to 2 weeks for the ablative lasers. You should avoid sun exposure, or use a good sunscreen, for several weeks afterwards to minimize the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
While laser hair removal significantly reduces hair growth, it doesn't always eliminate it completely, and some may still require occasional touch-ups. Skin reactions can also play a role in feelings of regret, although this is rare when the procedure is done correctly.
Immediate Care Tips for Post-Laser Recovery
Keep It Cool: Use cool compresses to soothe the skin. Apply gently to reduce swelling and discomfort. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and Moisturize: Hydration is key to skin recovery. Use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer to help maintain moisture balance.
After your laser session:
The risk of bacterial infections also increases since the sweat might enter the freshly treated areas. For these reasons, most experts recommend waiting at least 24-48 hours after your laser session before resuming any strenuous physical activities, including gym workouts.
“We recommend clients avoid strenuous activity for 1-2 weeks after laser hair removal treatments,” says Dr. Sasha Qadri, owner of Ethos Aesthetics + Wellness. “Increased blood flow from intense exercise can lead to swelling, inflammation and potential blistering of treated areas.
Can You Exercise After IPL? No, doing so isn't recommended for at least five days. Vigorous exercise and activities like hot yoga increase blood flow and sweating, which can exacerbate redness, swelling, or irritation on sensitive skin.
This is a sign that the laser successfully treated the follicle, and it's clearing out the dead hair shaft. This shedding process, also called “peppering,” can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. In some cases, it may feel like the hair is growing back because it's breaking through the skin.
It may be tempting to pick or scratch at any little surface hair remnants that eject after a laser hair removal treatment, but this can cause unnecessary skin irritation. Let the skin recover naturally.
The best way to help speed up shedding after your laser hair removal treatment is by gentle exfoliation once or twice a week once you start to see signs of your hair starting to shed.