Drugs and laser treatments – does taking medication preclude laser hair removal?

Table of Contents:

1. Drugs and laser treatments - does one exclude the other?
2. What kind of medicaments are contraindications for laser epilation treatments?
3. Having finished taking drugs how long should we wait to start laser epilation?
4. What are the steps before laser treatments?

Drugs and laser treatments - does one exclude the other?

Usually, we shouldn't udergo laser treatments while taking medications. Nonetheless, it depends what kind of medications for what kind of ailment we are taking. Consultation with a doctor providing pharmacological treatment is the most reasonable decision possible. It usually dispells all doubts and fears that client might happen to have.

What kind of medicaments are contraindications for laser epilation treatments?

Before we start our adventure with laser epilation, it is worth highlighting a few important issues. Firstly, it is not recommended to perform the procedure while taking medication due to the general weakness of the body. Reduced immunity is of no help in any situation. If we additionally burden the body with a laser treatment, the probability of unpleasant complications increases. These complications might include: redness, skin irritation, discoloration or even skin burns in the epilation area,. It is because of these unpleasant ailments that the laser treatments are not performed, especially when taking photosensitive drugs and medicaments containing St. John's wort, calendula and sage among others.

Laser depilation is out of question if we are taking acne medicines, antidepressants or antihistamines. These listed above and some more are contraindications for laser epilation treatments, thats why we should consult with doctor before starting laser adventure.

Having finished taking drugs how long should we wait to start laser epilation?

Laser epilation treatments can be performed within 2 weeks of pharmacological therapy's discontinuation. That is why prior consultation with an experienced cosmetologist is so important. After the interview, her task is to explain all the pros, cons and steps that should be taken so that the treatment can take place with the greatest possible comfort and safety for both, the client as well as the cosmetologist.

We should also remember that 24h before the treatment we mustn't take any painkillers: ketonal, ibuprofen, paracetamol, or any cold medicines. Cold, flu, increased body temperature are contraindications to perform laser procedure. 

What are the steps before laser treatments?

Of the things that remain unchanged with each laser epilation treatment, it remains to ensure that the area treated with the laser is shaved with a one-use only razor 48 hours before the scheduled treatment. Why are we doing this? The answer is simple! The diode laser works on the hair follicles, by working on a shaved area, we let the entire laser power focus on them. The other issue is that laser beam might burn hairs, not going deeper into our skin, and going deeper is what we need to have successful depilation.

Another uncompromising issue is tan, or rather the lack of it. Reason? The laser affects melanin, which is found in both the hair and tanned skin. The procedure performed on the skin, in which the melanin level is still high after the holiday season, could end in a very unpleasant way for both sides, namely causing irritation or even burns of the treated area. While undergoing laser epilation, our skin needs to have as much natural colour as possible. That's why we should wait around 4 weeks after sunbathing to start epilation procedure.

Other laser epilation contraindications are as follows:

• Pregnancy or lactation
• Acute infections
• Bleeding disorders
• Psoriasis
• Tatoos (on the treatment area)
• Epilepsy
• Using vitaminum A specifics or carotene
• metal implants
• thyroid disease (doctor advice is necessary)
• cancer disease

Taking medications is also vital in case of other procedures like Endermologie aimed at slimming the body, reducing appearance of cellulite and reducing unwanted fat. Use of painkillers or other blood-thinning medications 7 days prior to the procedure of deep tissue massage is one of the contraindications to the procedure.

If something still remains unclear, please contact us by e-mail at warszawa@easywaxing.pl or studio@easywaxing.pl and by calling Warsaw 797-797-504 or Wrocław 513-827-077. We also encourage you to sign up for a free of charge individual consultation with a cosmetologist to address other concerns you may have about issues related to laser hair removal.

You are more than welcome at our Easy Waxing Studio 🙂

Till next time!