— Laser Hair Removal Aftercare

Laser Hair Removal — Before & After Care

Getting the most from your laser hair removal in Abu Dhabi comes down to how you prepare the skin before each visit and how you care for it afterwards. This guide from Dr Azra Vaziri walks you through every step of treatment on the Candela GentleMax Pro at Louvre Medical Clinic, so your skin stays calm and your results build session after session.
— Before Your Treatment

How to Prepare (Before Care)

✓ Do
  • Shave the treatment area 12–24 hours before your appointment so the laser targets the follicle root, not surface hair.
  • Keep the skin clean, dry and free of make-up, deodorant, lotion or perfume on the day — arrive with bare, product-free skin.
  • Let us know at your consultation about any new medications, recent tan, pregnancy or skin conditions so we can adjust or reschedule safely.
  • Drink water and moisturise the area in the days leading up to your session (just not on the morning of treatment).
  • Wear loose, breathable clothing over the area you are treating so freshly lasered skin is not rubbed on the way home.
✗ Avoid before
  • Do not wax, pluck, thread or use epilators for around 4 weeks before — the laser needs an intact follicle to work.
  • Avoid sun exposure, tanning beds and self-tan for at least 2 weeks before; tanned or burnt skin cannot be treated.
  • Stop retinoids, AHAs/BHAs and strong actives on the area for a few days beforehand.
  • Skip bleaching creams on the area, as lightened hair responds poorly to the laser.
  • Avoid other in-clinic treatments on the same area, such as a medical facial, in the days just before a facial-area session.
— Recovery Timeline

After Your Treatment — Day by Day

24h

First few hours to day one

Mild redness and small bumps around the follicles (perifollicular oedema) are normal and usually settle within a few hours. Apply a cool compress and a soothing gel such as aloe vera, and avoid hot showers, sauna, steam room and exercise for 24–48 hours to keep the area calm.

1–7

Days 1 to 7 — shedding begins

Over the first week you may notice treated hairs appear to “grow” and then shed — this is the follicles pushing out dead hair, not regrowth. Do not pick or scrub; gentle cleansing and daily moisturiser are all the skin needs.

2–4

Weeks 2 to 4 — smooth phase

The treated area feels noticeably smoother as shed hairs fall away. Keep applying broad-spectrum SPF to any exposed skin and shave only if you need to manage hair between sessions.

6+

Week 6 and your next session

Hair in a new growth cycle begins to surface, which is why sessions are spaced roughly 4–6 weeks apart. A typical course is 6–8 sessions to catch every follicle in its active phase and achieve lasting reduction.

— Do & Don’t

Aftercare Do’s & Don’ts

✓ Do
  • Apply a cool compress and a fragrance-free soothing gel for the first day if the area feels warm.
  • Use strict broad-spectrum SPF 50 on any treated skin that sees daylight, and reapply through the day.
  • Keep the area clean and moisturised with a gentle, unperfumed cream.
  • Between sessions, shave only to remove hair — this preserves the follicle for your next visit.
  • Wear loose clothing over treated areas for 24–48 hours to avoid friction.
  • Stay consistent with your session schedule so no growth cycle is missed — see current laser hair removal prices for package options.
✗ Avoid after
  • No hot showers, sauna, steam room, hot tubs or exercise for 24–48 hours.
  • No sun exposure, tanning or self-tan on the treated area while it recovers.
  • Do not wax, pluck, thread or epilate between sessions — ever.
  • Avoid scrubs, exfoliants, retinoids and strong actives on the area for at least 48 hours.
  • Skip perfumed products, deodorant (for underarms) and make-up on the treated area for 24 hours.
  • Do not pick, scratch or rub any small bumps or shedding hairs.
When to contact the clinic. Redness, warmth and small follicular bumps for a few hours are completely normal after laser hair removal and settle on their own. However, please get in touch promptly if you notice blistering, crusting, unusual swelling that worsens after 48 hours, signs of infection such as spreading redness or pus, or any change in skin colour (darkening or lightening) in the treated area. Dr Azra and the team are here to reassure and guide you — message us on WhatsApp +971 50 180 1793 and we will advise on the next step.
— Common Questions

Laser Hair Removal Aftercare FAQ

How long does redness last after laser hair removal?

Mild redness and small bumps around the follicles typically fade within a few hours and almost always within 24 hours. A cool compress and a soothing gel help the skin settle faster. If redness is still noticeable after a day or two, message us on WhatsApp and we will check in on you.

Avoid exercise, hot showers, sauna, steam room and hot tubs for 24–48 hours. Heat and sweat can irritate freshly treated follicles, so give the skin a full day or two to calm before returning to your usual routine.

You can cleanse gently with lukewarm water the same day, but avoid make-up, deodorant and perfumed products on the treated area for about 24 hours. If you have had a facial area treated and want a gentle skin refresh later in your course, a HydraFacial can be scheduled on a non-laser day.

Treated hairs shed over the first one to two weeks, and you will see progressively smoother skin with each visit. Because hair grows in cycles, a course of 6–8 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart is typical for lasting reduction. You can review packages on our price list.

Yes — in the days after your session, treated hairs often appear to push out of the skin before shedding. This is the follicle expelling dead hair, not new growth. Do not wax or pluck it; simply let it fall away or shave if needed, and book your next laser session on schedule.