You’ve decided it’s time to finally get rid of your razor and invest in NYC laser hair removal. You’ll soon have bare skin in the places where you want to be your smoothest. While this is a fairly simple way to remove your hair and while there isn’t much you have to do, there are a few things you can do to prepare. Here’s how to get the most out of your laser hair removal experience.

1. Stop waxing and plucking.

Before going in for a NYC laser hair removal appointment, you have to stop any hair removal processes that get rid of the hair at the root. That means you have to resist the urge to wax or pluck prior to an appointment. Removing the hairs in between laser hair removal sessions can interfere with the growth cycle, which can make the treatment less effective.

The way that laser hair removal works is by destroying the follicles underneath the skin’s surface. If you remove the hair before your treatment, there won’t be anything for the laser to destroy. If you need to keep your hair at bay in between sessions, opt for shaving.

2. Shave 24 hours before your hair removal session.

Laser hair removal will work even if there isn’t visible hair in the area. It’s fine to shave in between sessions. You can shave up to 24 hours before your NYC laser hair removal session. You’ll feel smooth while leaving just enough hair for the laser to see. Even if you don’t want to shave, you still should. When there’s a lot of hair above the skin’s surface, you could end up feeling burned by the laser.

3. Stay away from the tanning booth and out of the sun.

Exposure to UV rays can interfere with your laser treatment. The laser will target the hair follicles’ pigment. If your skin has extra melanin because it’s tanned, the laser will have trouble distinguishing your skin from your hair. It’s also a good idea to avoid any tanning lotions or tanning creams in the hair removal area. Self-tanners can also change the color of the skin, which could affect treatment.

4. Be careful of taking certain medications.

There are some medications that can interfere with the laser removal process, such as acne medications, hormone treatments or birth control. Medicine may also make you more sensitive to the treatment, which can cause extra discomfort afterwards. You don’t necessarily have to stop taking all of the medications you’re on, but it’s best to talk with your doctor ahead of time to find out if any of your medications will interfere with the treatment. Make a point to talk to your regular doctor as well as the doctor who will be performing the laser hair removal.

In order to get the most out of your hair removal treatment, make sure to prep correctly beforehand.