How To Prepare For Your Laser Hair Removal Appointment

by Kelsey Agar

Silky smooth skin is in, and let’s face it, a razor just doesn’t do the trick and waxing certainly isn’t pleasant. So, what’s the solution?

Laser hair removal is a great option if you’re looking to remove unwanted hair on the face or body, and enjoy lasting results. This relatively painless treatment works well on hair that has a brown pigment to it, and it also works for all skin types. If you want to stay hair-free for longer periods of time than what shaving or waxing may offer, laser hair removal is the way to go.

Here are a few reasons why we think you’ll LOVE Laser Hair Removal:

  • No more ingrown hairs.
  • No more nicks and cuts from your razor.
  • No more itchy stubble.
  • You’ll save time and money.
  • Zero down-time.
  • Believe it or not, it’s relatively painless.

How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

If you’re picturing a laser zapping a hair clean off the skin and leaving behind a puff of smoke, that’s not quite how it works. The laser actually emits a light which is absorbed by the melanin (pigment) in your hair, and that light is converted into heat. The heat causes damage to the hair follicles that produce hairs, preventing or delaying future hair growth.

At Smooth Effects Kelowna, we use the Candela GentleMax Pro Laser Hair Removal machine, considered the gold standard for laser hair removal for all skin types. This device combines the fastest and most powerful lasers to emit concentrated pulses of light that go straight into the hair follicle to destroy the hair at the source, while keeping the surrounding skin completely intact.

At any given moment, each hair on our body is at a different stage in the hair growth life cycle. The laser is most effective on hairs that are in their active growth stage. This is why we recommend planning for 6 to 10 treatments (the exact amount of treatments required will be based on your hair, skin type, and hormones) for up to a 95% reduction in hair. 

Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?

With the Candela GentleMax Pro Laser at Smooth Effects Kelowna, you may feel slight discomfort during your session (think of a rubber band snapping on your skin), but it is minimized with the patented Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD). The DCD delivers targeted bursts of cryogen to the top layers of the skin, milliseconds before the laser pulses, to reduce discomfort.

Prior to your laser hair removal appointment, there are a few critical steps you must follow to ensure safe and effective treatment.

How To Prepare For Your Appointment

  • Do not pluck, wax, or use Nair.
  • Do not bleach the skin or hair.
  • Prepare the area by shaving the evening before.
  • Do not have any UV exposure for 2 weeks before the treatment. (This goes for self-tanners and spray tans, too!)
  • Avoid Retinol, Chemical Exfoliants, and topical medications for 3-5 days before treatment.
  • Ensure your technician is aware of any medications or changes to your health.

If you’re ready to ditch the razor and wax for a more long-term solution to body and facial hair, laser hair removal might be exactly what you need. Smooth Effects Kelowna specializes in laser hair removal treatments that leave your skin silky smooth. To book an appointment with us, choose the area(s) that you would like to start with, book your slot, and make sure to follow our pre-laser hair removal treatment steps.

Back to Smooth Effects Kelowna