So, you’ve simply had laser hair elimination and your pores and skin feels smoother than it’s ever been… however now you’re Googling “how one can exfoliate after laser hair elimination” as a result of nobody informed you what comes subsequent. Do you scrub? Do you wait? Will your pores and skin fall off in case you use glycolic acid too quickly? Breathe. I obtained you.
Exfoliating after a laser hair elimination remedy is a type of issues that may severely assist your outcomes – in case you do it proper. Do it fallacious, and also you’re taking a look at irritation, bumps, perhaps even hyperpigmentation. No thanks. Let’s stroll by way of laser hair elimination aftercare: when to exfoliate, what to make use of (and keep away from), the perfect elements, and how one can hold your pores and skin baby-smooth with out wrecking it.
First of All: Why Exfoliate After Laser Hair Removing?
Right here’s the factor: laser hair elimination doesn’t immediately “zap” each single hair out. The laser targets the pigment within the hair follicle, damages it, and over the subsequent few days to weeks, these handled hairs get pushed out of the pores and skin. You’ll begin to see what seems to be like hair regrowth, but it surely’s really simply your pores and skin purging the useless hairs.
That’s the place exfoliation is available in. Exfoliating helps pace up the shedding of useless pores and skin cells, so the useless hairs don’t get caught below the pores and skin or result in ingrown hairs. Carried out accurately, it helps your pores and skin feel and look smoother quicker. However (and that is necessary!) timing issues. You do not need to exfoliate too quickly after laser. Your pores and skin’s going to be delicate, probably infected, and exfoliating too early is like placing lemon juice on a paper minimize. Simply don’t.
So… When Can You Begin Exfoliating After Laser Hair Removing?
Give it a strong 5 to 7 days after a laser hair elimination session earlier than you even take into consideration exfoliating. Which means no scrubs, no acids, not even your trusty loofah. Why? As a result of your pores and skin’s mainly in restoration mode. It would look tremendous, however below the floor it’s nonetheless somewhat wired from the laser. So give it a breather. Don’t be that one who asks their pores and skin to do an excessive amount of, too quickly.
In the event you’ve obtained delicate pores and skin, or in case you had laser on extra delicate areas like your bikini line or underarms, play it secure and wait nearer to 10 days. Truthfully, the extra time you give it to relax, the higher your pores and skin’s going to deal with exfoliation later.
Find out how to inform if the handled space if prepared for light exfoliation:
- No redness, itching, or bizarre warmth lingering
- It feels regular: not tight, dry, or reactive
- You’re seeing these little hairs poking out however they’re not budging
In the event you’re ticking these packing containers? You’re good to go. Let the light scrubbing start.
How To Exfoliate After Laser Hair Removing (Step-by-Step)
- Begin Mild (Critically): Your pores and skin’s been by way of lots. Step one is to skip something that screams “gritty scrub.” As a substitute, go for a mild chemical exfoliant (we’ll discuss elements in a sec) or an excellent mushy washcloth in case you want handbook exfoliation.
- Patch Check First: Decide a small a part of the remedy space and exfoliate there first. Wait 24 hours. In case your pores and skin freaks out (redness, burning, breakouts), you recognize that product’s too harsh or your pores and skin isn’t prepared.
- 1-2 Occasions a Week Tops: Begin with a couple of times every week and see how your delicate pores and skin handles it. If every thing’s {smooth} (actually), bump it as much as 2-3 instances a week max.
- Moisturise: Exfoliation with out hydration is like shampooing with out conditioner. Tough, unbalanced, and begging for irritation. Use a fragrance-free, barrier-repairing light moisturizer proper after to assuage the pores and skin.
Greatest Components To Exfoliate With After A Laser Remedy
Alright, so your pores and skin’s lastly chilled out after your laser hair elimination appointment and it’s time to exfoliate. However not simply with something! You need elements that assist shed these cussed useless hairs with out wrecking your barrier or leaving you pink and blotchy. Right here’s what to achieve for:
1. Lactic Acid
Excellent for: Dry, delicate, or simply typically dramatic pores and skin
Why it’s good: Lactic acid is just like the light older sibling of the acid world. It exfoliates, certain, but it surely additionally hydrates whereas it’s doing it. Consider it as exfoliation with a built-in hug.
Find out how to use it: Search for a lotion with round 5-10% lactic acid. Rub it on clear, dry pores and skin 1-2 instances every week. That’s it. Don’t overdo it. These items works finest gradual and regular.
Associated: Glycolic Acid VS Lactic Acid: Which One Should You Choose?
2. Salicylic Acid
Perfect for: Oily pores and skin, bumpy bits, and wherever susceptible to ingrown hairs (taking a look at you, bikini line)
Why it’s good: It’s the one oil-soluble exfoliant, so it will get deep into your pores to assist stop clogged hair follicles and future breakouts. It’s additionally works properly for keratosis pilaris (these tiny hen pores and skin bumps).
Find out how to use it: Go for a physique spray or lotion with 2% salicylic acid and use it a few instances every week.
Associated: Why Salicylic Acid Is The Only Exfoliant Oily Skin Needs
3. Urea
Excellent for: Flaky, tough, or tremendous dry post-laser pores and skin
Why it’s good: Urea doesn’t get sufficient hype. At decrease strengths (5-10%), it softens useless pores and skin gently. At larger doses (20-40%), it really dissolves the glue holding these useless pores and skin cells collectively. It’s low-key magic.
Find out how to use it: Slather on a urea cream wherever your pores and skin feels prefer it’s holding on to hair too lengthy. Arms, legs, wherever. Nice for smoothing and hydrating on the similar time.
Associated: Is Urea The Most Underrated Exfoliant Of All?
What Are The Greatest Exfoliants After Laser Hair Removing?
- Eucerin Dry Pores and skin Replenshing Cream 5% Urea (£12.00): A light-weight moisturiser for dry pores and skin that plumps it up and heals dryness and dehydration with out leaving a grease residue on pores and skin. Accessible at Boots, Look Fantastic, and Sephora.
- Paula’s Alternative RESIST Weightless Physique Remedy 2 P.c BHA ($32.00): A 2% salicylic acid exfoliant in a moisturizing base. Plus, it has its share truthful of antioxidants to maintain pores and skin trying younger. Accessible at: Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Paula’s Choice, Sephora, and SpaceNK
- Pores and skin Rocks The Mild Acid (£49.00): A mild toner with lactic acid. It’s so light, you need to use it in your physique after laser hair elimination too. Accessible at Liberty, Skin Rocks and SpaceNK
What to Keep away from After Laser Hair Removing
Some exfoliants and harsh chemical compounds are dangerous for post-laser pores and skin. These embrace:
❌ Scrubs with Huge Grits (Apricot, Sugar, Salt): They create microtears. Simply don’t.
❌ Loofahs + Dry Brushing: Too abrasive. Particularly harmful in case you’re coping with freshly lasered pores and skin that’s nonetheless therapeutic.
❌ Excessive-Energy Glycolic Acid: Glycolic penetrates deeply and may be very irritating post-laser. Put it aside for when your pores and skin is absolutely healed and used to exfoliation.
❌ Retinol / Retinoids: Not technically exfoliants, however they skinny the pores and skin and make it extra reactive. Not secure for the primary 1-2 weeks post-treatment.
❌ Perfume & Important Oils: These do nothing for exfoliation and simply up your danger of pores and skin irritation and call dermatitis.
❌ Sizzling water:This consists of scorching tubs, scorching showers, scorching baths, steam rooms… clearly. Chilly water isn’t the perfect both. Use lukewarm water as an alternative. It’s gentler on the pores and skin.
What If I’m Experiencing Aspect Results?
Pink, itchy, stingy, blotchy? Yep, your pores and skin’s mainly yelling “TOO MUCH.” You both went in too quickly after your laser session or used one thing method too harsh. It occurs. Right here’s how one can take care of any potential uncomfortable side effects and pace up the therapeutic course of:
- Put. Every part. Down. No extra exfoliating, even when it says “light.” Your pores and skin doesn’t care. It’s already mad.
- Go into full restore mode. Change to a mild cleanser and slap on one thing boring and thick, like CeraVe, Cicaplast, something plain and made for indignant pores and skin. No scents, no extras, simply calm.
- Moisturise prefer it’s your part-time job. Dry, cranky pores and skin wants assist, not powerful love.
- Keep away from the solar like an ex at a celebration. Critically. Direct solar publicity (particularly and not using a broad-spectrum sunscreen!) makes irritation 10x worse. Keep shaded.
- Wait till your pores and skin’s again to regular earlier than making an attempt once more. No redness, no warmth, no tightness. Simply mushy, chill pores and skin that isn’t providing you with side-eye.
Your pores and skin’s not mad at you ceaselessly… but it surely does need an apology. A primary skincare routine is the best way to go. That is it.
Fast FAQ: Exfoliating After Laser Hair Removing
Can I exfoliate the day after laser?
Nope. Don’t even give it some thought. Your pores and skin post-treatment remains to be in “what the hell simply occurred” mode. Give it at the least 5 to 7 days to settle down first. That first week, your pores and skin wants relaxation. If it nonetheless feels scorching, itchy, or seems to be a bit pink? Wait longer.
What’s secure for the bikini line?
Salicylic acid. Use a 2% spray or lotion a pair instances every week. It helps with ingrowns and doesn’t mess along with your pores and skin barrier. However scrubs? Exhausting move. That space’s too delicate for tough stuff.
Can I take advantage of glycolic acid?
Finally. However not proper after laser. It’s robust and goes deep. Wait till your pores and skin feels completely regular. 10 days minimal, longer in case you’re delicate. And don’t go slapping on high-strength peels. Begin low.
Do I’ve to exfoliate even when I don’t see hairs falling out?
Yeah. Simply since you don’t see the little hairs doesn’t imply they’re not caught in there. Exfoliating helps get them out and stops bizarre bumps from displaying up later.
My scrub says “light.” Can I take advantage of it?
Truthfully? Nonetheless dangerous. Most scrubs are method an excessive amount of for pores and skin that’s therapeutic. In the event you actually wish to exfoliate correctly, keep on with chemical stuff like lactic acid or urea. They do the job with out shredding your face.
The Backside Line
Laser will get you many of the strategy to {smooth}, hair-free pores and skin. However the way you deal with your pores and skin after? That’s what decides if it stays mushy or turns into Bump Metropolis. Exfoliate, however don’t be wild about it. Be chill. Be good to your pores and skin. Moisturise prefer it’s your full-time job. And if one thing feels off? Skip a day. Easy pores and skin is coming. You simply must not mess it up on the best way there.
About Gio
Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that will help you obtain your finest pores and skin day ever – on daily basis. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising jargon that will help you work out what’s definitely worth the splurge and what’s finest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally provide skincare consultations that will help you create the perfect skincare routine in your distinctive wants.
