How to Care for Your Underarms After Laser Hair Removal

If you don’t want to deal with body hair, particularly on your underarms, chances are, you have contemplated getting laser hair removal. This procedure zaps the hair follicles to slow down hair growth – even permanently in some cases. However, it’s not a one-and-done treatment. Proper aftercare can save costly maintenance trips and give you more lasting results. Here, we give you expert tips for keeping your underarms smooth post-procedure.

Good news! After a laser hair removal treatment, you have a free pass to wear t-shirts and sweaters all day. Since underarm skin is particularly sensitive, getting zapped by a laser can make it red and tender. Thus, friction from clothes or towels can scar the epidermis and cause blisters or pigmentation.

Opt for loose-fitting tops, preferably made of moisture-wicking materials like linen and cotton. Try not to move your arms too much within the first 24 hours. And be careful in the shower! Hang up the loofah for a few days and use a soft washcloth instead.

If you never miss a day of working out, you should re-adjust your schedule after laser hair removal. The procedure is designed to kill the hair follicles, which leaves the skin temporarily vulnerable to irritation. Damp underarms can lead to bacterial or fungal growth, so avoid any activities that cause sweating. That means no exercises and hot showers until your skin calms down.

Wait 24 hours before applying deodorant, and use one that dries quickly on the skin, like Dove Radiant + Care Deodorant Dry Serum 3% Niacinamide 10x Vitamin C & E Dark Marks Reducer. The ingredients help accelerate skin renewal and correct dark marks for even-toned underarms. Plus, it contains niacinamide to support skin after a laser treatment.

Your first-ever laser hair removal treatment will remove 10%-25% of your underarm hair. The concentrated light beam only targets the hair follicles in the growth phase, a.k.a. the ones with hair poking out of the skin. This means hair will continue to grow from other hair follicles until all of them have been zapped.

Resist the temptation to wax or pluck these hairs! For laser hair removal to work, you will need the right length of hair to absorb the laser light. Plucking and waxing pull out the hair root, which leaves the laser with nothing to zap. Shaving one or two days before your treatment is advisable so you have just enough hair growth on your underarms. Hairs that are too long puts you at risk of skin burns.

Applying sunscreen on the underarms may sound unusual, but it’s a must after laser hair removal for several reasons. First, the treated area is more sensitive and therefore prone to sunburn. Swollen and itchy skin? No, thanks! Second, laser light “finds” the hair thanks to the pigment in the strands, called melanin. Tanning increases your risk of burns or makes the treatment less effective since the laser would also be absorbed by pigments in your tanned skin.

If you must go outdoors, wear layers and bring sunscreen for re-application. Getting a UV-protection umbrella might help, too. And, of course. And, of course, spray Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant Aerosol on your underarms to keep them naturally fresh and smooth. This deodorant is alcohol- and aluminum-free to help soothe skin inflammation and prevent irritation.

If you notice anything unusual about your underarms post-treatment, tell your dermatologist. Take photos daily to monitor skin changes. Redness and flakiness are expected side effects, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. After the appointment, the clinic may prescribe a steroid cream to manage the discomfort. Make sure to apply this as instructed.

You can also compress the affected area with a towel soaked in cold water. For your safety, talk to your dermatologist before taking other medications, whether for reducing skin inflammation or other conditions.

Laser hair removal is neither scary nor painful. If it’s something you’ve been wanting to do for a while, go for it! Now that you know the aftercare tips, the whole process should go smoothly.