Posted on February 19, 2019 by Paul A. Boulos We all need that boost of caffeine every now and then, but if you’re having a laser hair removal treatment performed, you might want to hold off until afterward. More than just affects on your body, caffeine can affect your skin in a way that could make your laser sessions a bit more uncomfortable. We’ll cover all of this information during your free laser hair removal consultation, but in the meantime, here’s a look at why you shouldn’t have a cup of coffee before a laser hair removal appointment.
Caffeine Affects The Skin
You have likely never noticed this before, but caffeine can make the skin more susceptible to pain. While this won’t affect you on a typical day, it can certainly make for a more uncomfortable laser hair removal treatment. To avoid this, it’s recommended that you avoid ingesting any caffeine for at least 24 hours prior to your laser appointment.
Caffeine Affects The Nerves
Having too much caffeine or even a cup of coffee on an empty stomach can leave you with the shakes. Certainly, this is no big deal when you’re sitting in an office, but it can make it difficult for your licensed medical laser technician to do their job. Especially if you’re already feeling nervous about your laser appointment, caffeine will only heighten the anxiety. Skip your morning coffee and instead treat yourself to Starbucks after your treatment is over.
Common Items That Contain Caffeine
It’s not just your morning cup of coffee that should be avoided prior to your laser hair removal. These items also contain enough caffeine to affect your treatments:
- Hot Tea
- Some Decaf Coffees
- Iced Tea
- Hot Chocolate
- Some Ice Cream and Yogurts
- Some Pudding
- Sodas
- Chocolate Candy
- Some Cookies
- Protein Bars
- Some Over the Counter Pain Relievers
- Some Cold and Flu Medications
- Weight Loss Pills
- Energy Drinks
- Some Cereals
Learn more about the hair removal treatments when you read our laser hair removal faqs. It’s best to check the labels of everything you consume within 24 hours prior to your laser hair removal appointment. See how the procedure is done in this video demonstrating a bikini line laser treatment:
Other Ways Caffeine Affects The Skin
Caffeine has some benefits, but when it’s consumed too much it can have a negative effect on the body. Learn how your coffee addiction damages the skin:
Dehydration
Caffeine dehydrates the body, forcing the liver to work harder than they should. When this happens, low-level toxins end up bypassing the liver and making their way into our systems, which can wreak havoc on our skin. These toxins cause skin inflammation, collagen loss, premature aging, and acne breakouts. Drinking water can help flush out your system, but only to a certain extent.
Skin Discoloration
Tannins, which can be found in coffee and tea, are used to dye animal hides when making leather. It also happens to be one of the toxins that our livers might let pass through, especially if you drink a lot of caffeine. This can lead to a tannin buildup which will leave you with liver spots and a leather appearance to your skin. That’s not usually the look we all go for as we age.
Acne Breakouts
Aside from dehydration causing acne, the caffeine also has an impact on the body’s stress levels that can lead to breakouts. Caffeine boosts stress hormones, increasing stress levels, which is the cause for acne for so many of us. Not to mention that the creamer and milk people use in their coffee is considered to be one of the worst acne boosters you can consume. Drinking your coffee black can help the situation, but it won’t solve it.
Signs Of Aging
The sugar added to your coffee or tea can cause skin damage just as it causes glycation. This is the process in which sugar particles attack and lodge themselves onto the skin’s natural proteins, specifically collagen and elastin. Results are dull looking or yellowed skin as well as early signs of aging that include wrinkles, sagging, and fine lines. The skin will also become more sensitive to pollutants like cigarette smoke, UV rays, and other environmental factors. While experiencing glycation to some extent is a normal part of life, consuming excessive amounts of sugar can speed up the aging process over time.
If this isn’t reason enough to cut down on your caffeine and sugar intake, then likely nothing will persuade you. Ensure that you eliminate the chance of discomfort during your laser hair removal treatments by avoiding caffeine for a full 24 hours prior to your appointment. Afterward, it’s safe to go crazy and get an extra large latte, even though it might not be the best for your skin.
