A person with their arms raised after laser hair removal on their armpits.

What to Expect Before, During and After Underarm Laser Hair Removal

Tired of shaving and waxing your underarms? You’re not the only one.

Whether your skin-care routine includes shaving every day or waxing every few weeks, removing underarm hair is a tedious process.

If you’re sick of razor burn and are ready to remove unwanted hair for good, it’s time to consider laser hair removal.

But are laser hair-removal treatments safe? Does it hurt? What will it feel and look like? Today we’re answering those questions and more.

Keep reading to learn what you can expect before, during, and after underarm laser hair removal.

Contents:


How Does Underarm Laser Hair Removal Work?

As state-of-the-art as the procedure may seem, laser hair removal is actually quite simple. Lasers emit pulses of light energy deep into the skin, where they destroy the hair follicle.

Once the follicles are destroyed, hair can’t grow back.

Hair grows in three stages – the active growth stage, the transition stage, and the resting stage. Laser hair removal is only effective when hair is in the growth stage. When hair is transitioning or resting, the laser can’t damage the root.

To make sure laser hair removal is effective and targets the growth phase, clients need to have multiple treatment sessions spread out over a series of weeks. That gives the body time to rest and allows the laser technician to target hair follicles in the growth stage.

At LaserAll, we use the latest technology from Astanza, which is the safest and most effective way to remove unwanted underarm hair.


What to Expect During Treatment

Everybody wants to know the answer to one question: Does it hurt?

There is minimal pain during underarm laser hair removal. In fact, many patients are surprised when the process is over.

The most common comparison we hear is that the laser feels like getting a rubber band lightly smacked against your skin.

Some people experience skin irritation after treatment, and it is common to see redness and swelling, which typically disappears within a few hours. Applying an ice pack is usually all that’s required to dull minor pain.

Aside from the destruction of the hair, some people may experience a  temporary change in skin pigmentation. Skin color may darken or lighten, but for most people, this returns to normal after a few days.

In rare cases, some people experience more severe reactions, such as scarring, blistering, and changing of the skin’s texture. These side effects, though they can occur, are extremely rare.


What to Do After Treatment

For the most effective results, there are several things that you need to do (and avoid) after laser hair removal from your underarms.

After treatment, it’s essential to avoid any sun exposure. Though your underarms don’t get a lot of sun, be sure to limit your sun exposure before, during, and after treatment (for up to six weeks). This includes natural and artificial sun (like tanning beds), both can cause the skin to lighten in that area.

For up to 48 hours after treatment, wear loose cotton clothing and avoid swimming pools, Jacuzzis, steam rooms, and physical exercise. Also, avoid touching the skin under your arms and shower with lukewarm or cooler water. Do not wash with water that’s too hot or too cold.

In between treatments, exfoliate so that your skin is in its best condition in preparation for the next procedure. This will make the process more effective, and it will also help to prevent ingrown hairs.

Before you leave your first session, make sure you discuss an aftercare plan with your laser technician. Follow those instructions carefully so you know exactly what you can do and exactly what you need to avoid.

What to Do After Laser Hair Removal (Summary)

  • Avoid sun exposure
  • Wear loose-fitting clothing
  • Avoid swimming pools
  • Avoid intense physical exercise
  • Do not wash with extremely hot or cold water
  • Exfoliate

Will I See Immediate Results?

Don’t be disappointed if you don’t see immediate hair reduction after your first treatment. In fact, most hairs shed naturally over a period of days or weeks, so it may take a few days to see any results at all. Every person is different.

Some people see results sooner than others. Some people may not ever see permanent results. Laser hair removal effectiveness depends on your skins tones and hair colors, so talk to your laser technician so you can have realistic goals.

Don’t worry,  just because you can still see hair doesn’t mean you’ll have to walk around with it forever. You can shave in between treatments, but don’t pluck, wax, or use hair removal creams.

If you think you need to shave, take a good look at your underarms. You may not need to shave at all. It’s common for dead, loose hairs to be on the surface of the skin. Before grabbing that razor, brush those loose hairs off so you know what you’re really working with.

When it comes to results, everyone will experience permanent hair loss. Some people see hair loss for months or even years, but every individual is different. Some people find that they need to do some touch-ups with additional treatments spread out throughout the year.

Is laser better than waxing? Read our Laser vs. Waxing comparison!


The Key to Successful Laser Hair Removal

With underarm laser hair removal, expect some minor discomfort. But that’s a small price to pay for no longer having to wax, shave, or deal with ingrown hairs.

The trick is to set realistic expectations, talk to an expert before starting treatment, and know what to expect before, during, and after.

The initial consultation is key to having a successful procedure.

Always make sure your laser technician is licensed and certified. Don’t be afraid to ask questions so you know what you can and can’t do before and after treatments. And, most importantly, ask their honest opinion on how effective they think your treatments will be.

Laser hair removal works best on people with fair skin and dark hair. Ask your technician if they think you’re a good candidate for the procedure and if it will work on your skin type. Professional clinics will steer you in the right direction and help you decide if underarm laser hair removal is right for you.

Looking for laser hair removal services in Colorado? We have locations in Fort Collins, Lakewood, Westminster, and Colorado Springs!

Follow us on Instagram to see examples of our work!

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