Many of the people who receive treatments at Body Details True Laser® Centers are fitness enthusiasts, which makes sense. If you put all of that effort into your health and physical appearance, you’re more likely to want to perfect all of the details. Laser hair removal is one of our most popular treatments, and many of our clients want to know how it will affect their workouts. This article explains how working out affects your laser hair removal.
In order to know how sweat affects laser hair removal, it’s important to have a rudimentary understanding of the anatomy of the skin. There are two types of glands that produce sweat: eccrine and apocrine. Eccrine glands open directly to the surface of your skin, Apocrine glands are located near the hair follicles, and the greatest densities of sweat glands are in the hairiest parts of your body: the scalp, armpits, and pubic regions. These glands release the sweat through a duct that opens into the portion of the hair follicle below the skin. Because laser hair removal destroys the base of the follicle, it temporarily interrupts the free flow of sweat through these glands. For this reason, it’s important to try not to overheat for up to 48 hours after each treatment to avoid swelling, rashes, and skin irritation.
There is no reason that you can’t work out prior to your laser hair removal treatment. You can even work out the same day as your treatment as long as you cool down, shower, and dry thoroughly. As was previously mentioned, you should avoid working out, taking a hot shower, or doing activities like the sauna or steam room for two days. Any activity that can heat the skin and cause you to sweat profusely can put you at risk of a rash, irritation, or blistering. While these are possible side-effects of any laser session and are easily treated, heavily sweating will increase the likelihood.
Laser hair removal sessions are spaced two months apart. That does not mean that you can’t work out between your first and last session. Most patients wait the recommended 48 hours for their skin to recover and then continue their regimen. If you develop a rash or experience skin irritation, you shouldn’t resume your workouts until you’ve recovered. Do not try to game the system by merely switching your routine. You’re trying to avoid sweating. Also, if you get around on a bicycle, you may have to call for an Uber or Lyft for the next day or so.
Laser hair removal works by targeting the hair follicle with a high-intensity laser beam. The laser light travels down the hair shaft and destroys the bulb at the bottom. Without a supply of nutrients feeding the hair, it will fall out and the pore will close. At Body Details, our medical professionals use the GentleMax Pro True Laser combined with a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser with a 755 nm alexandrite laser. This dual laser is the most powerful laser of its kind approved by the FDA. That means that it works faster than other commercial lasers. The laser has its own DCD (Dynamic Cooling Device) cryogenic spray with each pulse of the laser to reduce pain.
Some patients are under the mistaken impression that they can exercise by swimming after a laser hair removal treatment. The thought process is that since the water is cooling the skin, they’ll sweat less than if they were to go for a run or a martial arts class. But the truth is that you also need to avoid swimming in a pool, lake, or ocean for a 48-hour period. You should also refrain from tanning the affected area. Cover the treated skin for the next two days if you go out in the sun. Avoid shaving the treatment area for at least two days after your session.
Getting laser hair removal with Body Details True Laser® Centers won’t disrupt your life, but if you are a committed athlete, it’s important to note any possible interruption to your training. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from our patients who are committed to fitness.
Most patients require 5 to 10 treatments for complete results. Treatments are spaced out by about two months, so you can expect to have a down period of two days every two months.
While we hope you adhere to this advice, if you do decide to work out anyway, you may or may not have skin irritation, redness, swelling, and itching. If this occurs, the problem may correct itself in time but contact your doctor if the pain and irritation persist.
You should be able to work out before your laser hair removal treatment but make sure you cool down, shower, and dry off so that the treatment area is clean and free from sweat.
Other than avoiding working out for the next 48 hours, you can apply cold compresses to the treatment area. Apply skin moisturizer to alleviate dryness. Do not expose your skin to the sun. Your skin may feel like it’s sunburned after laser hair removal. Additional exposure will only exacerbate the condition.
If you are ready to say goodbye to unwanted hair, don’t let a minor interruption in your training be a deterrent. With multiple locations and extended hours, Body Details True Laser® Centers make it easy for you to choose the date and time for your treatments. All of our centers offer a free, no-obligation consultation with a medical professional during which they will explain your recommended course of treatment and answer any questions you have. Body Details has financing options available and offers touchups for laser hair removal for life under the written terms of our free lifetime guarantee! Schedule your consultation today!