Can you pluck hairs after laser hair removal?

The simple answer is no.

Laser hair removal works by focusing targeted beams of light onto your hair follicles. This light energy is absorbed by the melanin (pigment) within the hair follicle which then heats up. This heat travels down the hair follicle and radiates out to damage the hair bulb, bulge and vascular supply. With repeated treatments, the hair follicles will become progressively weaker and the hair growth more fine and sparse. Eventually, the hair is damaged to the extent that it stops growing.

In order for the laser to be effective, hair has to be present. If you have removed hair by plucking, threading, waxing or epilating, the laser will simply not work. Without hair to absorb the laser light, there is nothing to be affected by the treatment so resist the urge to pluck!

The goal of laser hair removal is to damage the structures that produce hair to the extent that hair stops growing. Hair removal methods such as plucking and waxing, as well as making the treatment ineffective may also result in the hair growing back more strongly. Whenever a hair is pulled out, whether by waxing, threading, plucking or epilating, increased blood flow to the site occurs. This is the opposite of what laser hair removal is trying to achieve. We want to decrease blood supply to hair follicles and ‘starve’ the hair, causing it to become finer and weaker and eventually stop growing.

Can I use hair removal creams during a laser hair course?

These should be avoided throughout a laser hair removal course as they can make the skin more sensitive which increases the likelihood of unwanted side effects. Additionally, as the cream dissolves hair, it can render the treatment less effective or ineffective. The laser needs to ‘grab on’ to the hair to travel down to the root structure and do its job. If some of the hair has been dissolved, this makes the process more difficult. If you have decided to spend your time and money on a course of laser hair removal, you want it to be as effective as possible.

Can I bleach hairs during a laser hair removal course?

Avoid, avoid, avoid! Hair needs to be smoothly shaved prior to treatment as hair long enough to sit outside the skin will hinder the laser operation. Bleached hair lacks melanin so the laser will not ‘grab on’ to it, and it will simply not work

What can I do to control hair between treatments?

Shave. We recommend that you wait a minimum of 48 hours but ideally around 10-14 days after your treatment and then shave all body areas that have been treated. With the Soprano Ice Platinum system and the Soprano Titanium some hair may shed, around 2-4 weeks after treatment so shaving will help to exfoliate out these hairs. Different amounts of shedding is common on different treatments throughout your course. A minimum of 2 shaves between treatments is essential. The first after 10 days to 2 weeks and the next around 8 hours prior to your next treatment. If you want to shave more often between these times, go ahead!

Our expert team are on hand to answer any questions about laser hair removal preparation and aftercare. Please email any questions to manager@mayfair-aesthetics.co.uk