Preparing for laser hair removal, so you can enjoy lasting results, an easy process in San Mateo CA

You shouldn’t be stuck inside shaving, waxing, or dealing with stinky depilatory creams when you could be outside enjoying all the Bay Area has to offer. Allura Skin & Laser Center is happy to provide treatment that helps you get the most of your day: the advanced GentleMax™ laser system to remove unwanted hair. Preparing for laser hair removal in San Mateo CA also doesn’t eat up your entire day; as with other non- and minimally-invasive aesthetic treatments offered by Drs Bruce Maltz, Carie Chui, and Meghan Hession, minimal planning goes a long way to get lasting results.

Why planning matters

Unlike go-to methods for removing hair, lasers such as the GentleMax™ do more than simply temporarily get rid of the hair that you can see and feel on the surface of your skin. Lasers actually disable the follicle, through which each hair grows. The idea is that, once the follicle is disabled, hair can’t grow through it again or it grows back much lighter and thinner. By adhering to the instructions provided during your consultation and before your first treatment, you can not only enjoy better, quicker results but you can also avoid unwanted side effects from treatment. Notably, the effectiveness, comfort, and success of your treatment depend on how well the laser can seek out, find, and target the melanin or color pigment in your hair. While lasers have improved dramatically through the years — they can now treat many more skin types – these devices work optimally when there is a contrast between the color of the hair and the color of the skin.

Pre-treatment skin and hair color are just one of the considerations associated with the following recommendations for preparing for laser hair removal at our San Mateo, CA clinic:

• Save the (no-risk, sunless) tanning for later – As mentioned, the effectiveness of lasers for hair removal depends on the device finding the melanin or pigment that gives hair its color. The laser light emitted by the GentleMax™ is then absorbed by the melanin pigment. This results in a process that heats the shafts underneath the skin’s surface, and damages each treated hair follicle. To assure the follicle is effectively treated and hair growth is inhibited efficiently, it’s ideal to treat skin that isn’t tanned, either with sunless tanners or tanning beds (the latter of which your friendly skin specialists want to reinforce is a “no-no” anyway for skin health!).
• Avoid the temptation to pluck or wax before treatment – To get the most out of each treatment session, our advanced laser system needs to be able to treat a maximum amount of hairs in the active growth phase. When patients remove hair with these methods before each treatment session, the laser isn’t able to be as effective at finding and disabling the follicles. This means that each session isn’t as “productive” as it could be, which adds to the number of sessions, time, and money required to get the smooth and silky results you’re after.
• In-between treatments, avoid or minimize exposure to Ultraviolet rays – Many of the “timeless” good skin care suggestions that we provide apply here; wear a broad-spectrum, UVA-UVB sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30, as well as sun protection garments and broad-brimmed hats. Avoid the height of sun exposure, which is generally mid-morning to mid-afternoon.
• Some products and medications must be avoided before treatment – Irritating perfumes and skincare products, such as those with Alpha Hydroxyl Acids, can also increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight and can contribute to other unwanted effects, such as patches that are lighter or darker than the surrounding skin.

Additionally, it’s advised that you shave areas that you can reach before the procedure (again, don’t pluck or wax). This stops visible hair from being absorbed by the laser’s energy, heating the tissues and making you vulnerable to skin damage. We’ll also discuss your history of scarring and other conditions with you prior to your first treatment, and welcome questions from you during your consultation. By following these and other easy, tailored instructions, we can ensure the most comfortable and pleasant experience possible. Keep in mind, GentleMax™ lives up to its name; localized numbing and built-in cooling aid in patient comfort. These features, combined with our team’s expertise and skill, means the health and beauty of your skin are in exceptional hands.

Call (650) 344-1121 to schedule your consultation at Allura Skin & Laser Center in San Mateo, CA.