Permanent hair removal is on the rise! And with good reason: laser technologies have made enormous progress, becoming both safer and more painless.
If you are considering booking your first permanent hair removal session, it is essential that you prepare yourself properly. Even though contraindications and possible side effects are very rare and usually mild, good preparation will help you minimise them as much as possible and enjoy the results to the fullest… Smooth, hair-free skin for several months or even years!
To help you feel at ease, Dr Sandra Texier, founder of Maison Magnifisens, shares all her advice on how to prepare for your first permanent hair removal session.
1. Ensure that there are no contraindications.
The first step in preparing for laser hair removal is to book an in-person consultation with an experienced professional. At Maison Magnifisens, we always begin by assessing your profile and medical history. These precautions allow us to determine not only the type of laser best suited to your skin tone and hair type, but also the number of sessions you will need.
This is particularly important to ensure that you have no contraindications. Certain treatments can cause photosensitivity and therefore pose a risk of burns or skin pigmentation. This is the case, for example, with medications containing retinoids, salicylic acid, hydroxy acid or benzoyl peroxide.
Permanent hair removal is not recommended in the following cases:
→ Skin abnormalities in the area to be treated: moles, lesions, cold sores;
→ Pregnancy or for prepubescent adolescents;
→ Presence of a tattoo in the treatment area;
→ Taking anticoagulant medication;
→ Certain conditions (autoimmune diseases, thrombosis, cancer, etc.)
→ Excessively tanned skin or skin that has undergone self-tanning treatment.
2. How to prepare for your first permanent hair removal session: 6 weeks before treatment
A first permanent hair removal session requires preparation well in advance. You will need to take certain precautions starting six weeks before your treatment.
The first is simply to stop waxing, using electric epilators or tweezers. These techniques (or any hair removal technique other than shaving or trimming) will effectively extract the hair bulb from the follicle. However, for the laser to effectively destroy the root, the hair must be present in the follicle.
You should also avoid exposure to the sun. The laser works by targeting the pigment in your hair. But when you tan, your skin produces the same pigment in your epidermis. The laser will therefore no longer be able to distinguish between them and may target your skin, causing burns of varying intensity or pigmentation (i.e. spots).
3. Preparing for permanent hair removal: the week before treatment
Your first permanent hair removal session is approaching: it’s time to step up your game.
To prepare properly for your first laser hair removal session in Paris, you should also gently exfoliate the area to be treated 3 to 5 days beforehand. Why? Quite simply because exfoliation removes dead skin cells that have accumulated on the surface of your skin. This will allow the laser to see more clearly and effectively target the root of your hair. It is also a good way to avoid redness after the session and protect your skin.
My advice: remember to moisturise well after exfoliating.
Another precaution before your first permanent hair removal session: stop taking any photosensitising treatments, either locally or systemically.
4. Two to four days before the first laser hair removal session
In the days leading up to your first permanent hair removal session, it is very important that you shave the treatment area. Any hair above the surface of your skin will absorb the laser energy before it reaches the root of the follicle. In addition to reducing the effectiveness of the treatment, this may also leave small red marks for a few days.
To prepare properly before a permanent hair removal session, we recommend applying light pressure and using a good quality shaving foam and razor. Take your time to avoid cutting yourself. It is also important to do this a few days before the session and not on the day itself. Shaving can cause irritation and prevent or complicate the treatment.
5. The big day
The day of your first permanent hair removal session in Paris has finally arrived. Before heading to the salon, remember to:
→ Remove all traces of cosmetics from the area to be treated with laser hair removal. On the day of your session, it is important that you do not wear deodorant, perfume or cream. These products can cause irritation. Also make sure that your skin is free of any traces of self-tanner, which may affect how your skin absorbs the laser energy.
→ Wear loose, comfortable clothing that covers the areas to be treated, allowing your skin to breathe after the laser hair removal session and protecting your skin from the sun’s rays.
There you go! You’re all set for your first permanent hair removal session in Paris! I hope this article has reassured you and helped you better prepare for this treatment, which offers so many benefits… To take the plunge, all you have to do is book your appointment at Maison Magnifisens.
