Quick answer: You might experience redness and tenderness for a few days, but things quickly get back to normal.
Hair removal takes many forms, but it essentially comes down to three main techniques – lopping the hair off close to the skin, pulling the hair and the root out, or destroying the follicle. Some are permanent, and some are temporary, but every one of them has a side effect. Shaving is the least intrusive because it’s basically cutting dead hair strands, but even that can leave a rash or cuts. As for the rest of them, you can almost certainly expect some after-effects, lasting hours, days or even weeks post-treatment.
So it should come as no surprise that laser hair removal comes with its own set of reactions that you can expect after you have finished your session. For the vast majority of people, these effects will be completely cleared up after a few days, and you’ll be left with skin that’s much smoother. And after you’ve completed the entire treatment, hair growth should be all but stopped.
It’s always good to know what you can expect, partly so you can plan ahead, and partly so you won’t get worried about a certain reaction. Below, we’ll go over the normal things that happen to your skin in the hours, days and weeks after your hair removal sessions.
Immediate reactions (first 24–48 hours)
There are a few effects that almost everyone experiences during the first day or two after a laser hair removal session. These are perfectly normal, and broadly speaking, they are signs that your body is reacting correctly to what it sees as an injury.
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Redness and swelling: The treated area might look and feel like a mild sunburn – nothing too severe, but perhaps a small amount of reddening, swelling and a tight feel. It isn’t actually sunburn, however – that is caused by UV rays.
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Sensitivity: It’s not unusual for your skin to feel slightly tender, or even warm to the touch, for the first couple of days.
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Slight itching or tingling: A lot of people report a mild itchy or tingly sensation on their skin. Again, it’s nothing too much, comparable to being stroked with a feather or wearing a slightly scratchy jumper. It’s a normal reaction by your follicles.
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No hair loss: Some people are surprised that the hair isn’t completely gone, but remember that it does take a few days for the hairs to start falling out.
Over the next 1–2 weeks
The effects above will almost certainly be gone after two days – some people get over the initial session within a few hours. You might then feel like nothing is happening for a day or two, and wonder if the treatment has failed. Don’t worry – your body takes a little while to start reacting as intended.
First, the treated hairs will start to shed gradually. This is often mistaken for hair regrowth. The hairs will have been shaved, so when they do start to emerge, it does indeed look like growth. In reality, it’s like squeezing the last bit of toothpaste out of the tube. Try to exfoliate gently with a cloth or scrub – it can help speed this process.
Remember that not every follicle will have been treated in a single session, so some hairs will start to grow naturally, particularly those that were not at the growth stage during treatment. That’s why you need multiple sessions.
After a week or two following your first session, you will certainly start seeing hair growing back naturally. It will be less than normal, but certainly visible. It can lead to a patchy appearance, with some areas completely smooth and others relatively dense. This is normal, and it will be addressed in subsequent laser removal sessions.
What to do after your session
Laser hair treatment is technically inflicting small injuries on your follicles, and your body will react in the only way it knows how. During this phase, your skin is slightly more vulnerable and sensitive than normal. There are a few things you can do that will help ease irritation, speed up the natural process and protect your skin.
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Apply a cold compress or aloe vera to soothe any irritation.
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Avoid hot showers, saunas and even sweating for 24–48 hours. Stay away from the gym and plan your commute so you’re not late!
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Stay away from anything more than brief exposure to mild sunlight, and certainly tanning booths, for at least a week. Let your skin heal and moisturise itself naturally.
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If exposure to sunlight is unavoidable, make sure you use SPF 50 on treated areas, and cover up where possible.
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Don’t wax, pluck or bleach at all if you’re planning on having more laser treatment in the near future. Shaving is fine between sessions.
Your therapist will go over this advice with you, and answer any questions you may have.
What to watch out for
Laser hair removal is very safe, and only penetrates a tiny depth into the skin. It’s extremely rare for serious side effects to crop up, especially when you use a professional clinic with trained staff and the latest equipment. However, if you experience any of these effects, here’s our advice:
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Blistering or crusting: This is very rare, but does happen from time to time. Contact your clinic if it happens. They’ll be able to give you the best advice.
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Hyperpigmentation (darker patches) or hypopigmentation (lighter patches): On the rare occasions when this happens, it is usually temporary. If you’re concerned, do discuss it with your technician though. They’ll be able to inspect it and keep an eye on it.
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Redness or pain beyond 48 hours: If the normal “immediate reactions” listed above last into the third or fourth day, with no sign of getting better, have a word with your clinic. They’ll be able to offer advice and point you in the right direction.
Book your next session
If you’ve just started out on your laser hair removal journey, remember that you’ll need several sessions. The exact number depends on the part of the body and other factors. You should normally wait about four to six weeks between sessions, so if you haven’t done it already, take a moment to book your next visit for a convenient time.