Most people think about laser hair removal in terms of the sessions themselves — but what you do to your skin between appointments has a real impact on both your comfort and your results. Skin that’s well cared for heals faster, tolerates treatment better, and shows smoother results overall.
Here’s a simple, practical routine to follow if you’re going through a laser hair removal series.
The Week Before Each Session
Exfoliate gently, then stop. Light exfoliation a few days before your appointment helps prevent ingrown hairs and lets the laser target hair follicles more effectively. But stop exfoliating for at least 48 hours before your session — freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the laser.
Moisturize daily. Well-hydrated skin tends to handle laser treatment more comfortably than dry, flaky skin. A simple fragrance-free moisturizer applied daily in the week leading up to your appointment makes a noticeable difference.
Protect from the sun. This one matters more than people expect. Tanned or sunburned skin has more surface melanin, which can interfere with how the laser distinguishes your skin from the hair follicle — increasing both discomfort and the risk of irritation. Daily SPF on treatment areas (yes, even legs and underarms) in the weeks before your session is genuinely worth the habit.
Pause active ingredients. Retinoids, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and other exfoliating actives should be paused on treatment areas for a few days before your appointment, as they can make skin more reactive to the laser.
The Day Of
- Shave the treatment area 24 hours beforehand (not the same day, and not with wax or an epilator)
- Skip lotion, deodorant, makeup, or perfume on the area you’re treating
- Wear loose, breathable clothing to your appointment so nothing rubs against freshly treated skin afterward
Right After Your Session
Your skin will likely feel warm, slightly red, and a bit like mild sunburn for a few hours — this is completely normal. A gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer or aloe-based gel can help calm the area. Avoid:
- Hot showers, baths, or saunas for 24–48 hours
- Direct sun exposure on the treated area
- Deodorant or scented products on treated underarms for a day
- Strenuous exercise or heavy sweating for the rest of the day
Between Sessions: Building a Routine That Supports Results
Since laser hair removal is a series rather than a single visit, how you treat your skin in the weeks between sessions matters just as much as the day-of prep.
Keep exfoliating lightly, regularly. This helps prevent ingrown hairs as treated hair sheds and keeps skin smooth. Two to three times a week with a gentle exfoliant is usually enough — more than that can be counterproductive.
Stay consistent with SPF. Sun protection isn’t just a pre-appointment step, it should be part of your regular routine on any area you’re treating, all the way through your series.
Moisturize year-round. Well-maintained, hydrated skin simply responds better to repeated laser sessions than skin that’s dealing with dryness or irritation from other sources.
Address other skin concerns separately, not on top of a fresh session. If you’re also dealing with acne, pigmentation, or texture concerns, treatments like facials or chemical peels are worth exploring — just space them out from your laser appointments rather than stacking them the same week, since combining certain treatments too close together can be harder on your skin.
Skin Care and Laser Hair Removal Go Hand in Hand
At Revitalize Clinic Spa, we don’t just run you through a laser session and send you out the door — we talk you through how to care for your skin around each appointment, and we offer skin care treatments that complement your laser series rather than compete with it. If you’re not sure how to fit facials, peels, or exfoliation into your laser schedule, ask us during your next visit — it’s a common question and an easy one to plan around.
Building out a routine for your skin? Book a consultation at our Etobicoke location and we’ll help you plan both your laser sessions and the skin care that supports them.
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