Laser hair removal prep and aftercare tips

What's the deal with the prep before laser hair removal sessions? I've read you shouldn't wax and should shave instead but I don't really understand why. Are there other things I should be avoiding before a session that might affect the results?

The reason shaving is recommended and waxing is not comes down to how laser targets the hair follicle. The laser needs the hair follicle to be intact and in place beneath the skin to effectively destroy it with heat. Waxing removes the entire hair shaft including the root from the follicle, so there's nothing for the laser to target — you'd essentially be paying for a session that can't do its job. Shaving, on the other hand, removes the surface hair but leaves the follicle and the hair root intact under the skin. You should shave the treatment area one to two days before your session, not immediately before which can cause skin irritation going into the procedure. Other things to avoid: sun exposure and tanning for at least two weeks before a session because tanned or sunburned skin increases the risk of adverse reactions. Avoid retinoids, certain acids and other active skincare ingredients for several days before as well since these can make skin more sensitive.

I learned some of this the hard way — I went to an early session without shaving properly and they had to reschedule part of the treatment. Now I take prep seriously and it makes sessions go more smoothly. I found a good breakdown of preparation steps when I was researching at https://bellasanamedspa.com/service/laser-hair-removal before starting my treatment plan. Post-session care matters just as much — avoid hot showers, exercise and sun exposure for at least 48 hours after each session. Fragrance-free moisturizer and SPF are your best friends during any active laser treatment period.