The hairs that appear to grow back in week two are not growing — they are leaving.
What should I do after laser hair removal? For the first 24 hours avoid heat, sweating, sun, swimming and friction on the treated area, then use daily sun protection throughout your course; expect a shedding phase over the following one to three weeks, which is normal and should not be plucked.
The first 24 hours
Keep it cool and calm
Treated skin is warm and mildly inflamed, so avoid anything that adds heat or friction while it settles.
What to avoid
Hot showers, saunas, steam rooms, the sea, the pool, heavy exercise and tight clothing on the area are all best avoided for about a day.
Soothing the area
Simple measures help:
- A cool compress if the area feels warm
- Gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser
- Loose, breathable clothing
- Aloe vera or a soothing gel if advised
- Avoid perfumed products, deodorant and scrubs for 24 hours
The shedding phase
Hairs push out, they do not grow
Over roughly one to three weeks after each session, treated hairs work their way out of the skin. It can look like regrowth but it is shedding.
Let them fall out
Do not pluck or wax shedding hairs. Gentle exfoliation can help them release, if your clinician advises it.
Aftercare timeline
| Timeframe | What to do |
|---|---|
| First 24 hours | No heat, sweat, sun, swimming or friction |
| Days 2–7 | Normal activity; daily sun protection |
| Weeks 1–3 | Shedding phase — do not pluck |
| Between sessions | Shave only; avoid sun and tanning |
A guide only; follow your clinician’s advice for your treatment.
Sun protection in the tropics
Non-negotiable here
Treated skin is temporarily more sensitive to UV, and sun exposure raises the risk of pigment change — a real consideration on Koh Samui.
Throughout the course
Use broad-spectrum sun protection on treated areas throughout the course, not just after each session — see laser and sun exposure.
Between sessions
Shave, never wax
Shaving is the only hair removal method to use between sessions, because laser needs the hair root in place to target the follicle.
Attend on schedule
Sticking to your intervals catches each growth cycle — see how many sessions you need.
What is not normal
Contact your clinic if you see
Blistering or burn-like marks, severe or worsening pain, spreading redness with heat or pus, or lasting pigment change after several weeks.
Most effects are mild
Ordinary redness and follicular swelling settle within hours to a couple of days — see side effects.
Your aftercare routine
A simple post-session routine:
- Avoid heat, sweating, sun, swimming and friction for 24 hours.
- Use a cool compress and gentle moisturiser if the area feels warm.
- Skip deodorant, perfumed products and scrubs on the area for a day.
- Let hairs shed naturally over 1–3 weeks — do not pluck.
- Use daily broad-spectrum sun protection on treated areas.
- Shave, never wax, between sessions and attend on schedule.
Laser hair removal aftercare at LIV Clinic Koh Samui
At LIV Clinic, laser hair removal includes clear aftercare guidance for a tropical climate, doctor-led by Dr. Narathai. Book a consultation to discuss your treatment.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do after laser hair removal?
Avoid heat, sweating, sun, swimming and friction for 24 hours, then use daily sun protection throughout your course. Expect treated hairs to shed over one to three weeks.
Why does hair seem to grow back after laser?
That is usually the shedding phase, not regrowth. Treated hairs work their way out of the skin over roughly one to three weeks. Let them fall out rather than plucking.
Can I swim after laser hair removal?
Wait about 24 hours before the sea or pool, since heat, chemicals and friction can irritate freshly treated skin. After that, resume normally with sun protection.
Can I use deodorant after underarm laser?
Skip deodorant, perfumed products and scrubs on the treated area for about 24 hours, then resume as normal once any redness has settled.
Should I exfoliate after laser?
Gentle exfoliation can help shedding hairs release, but only once any redness has settled and if your clinician advises it. Avoid harsh scrubs on freshly treated skin.
What should I do between sessions?
Shave only — never wax, pluck or thread, since laser needs the hair root in place. Avoid sun and tanning, and attend your sessions on schedule.
Safety and consultation
Laser hair removal is a medical laser procedure and, like any energy-based treatment, carries some risk — common temporary effects can include redness, mild swelling around the follicles and a warm sensation, while less common effects such as pigment changes or blistering are minimised by correct laser choice and settings. Results vary from person to person, and no specific outcome can be promised. This article is general information, not medical advice.
At LIV Clinic, every treatment begins with an in-person assessment by Dr. Narathai Vichienkalayarut, M.D., who reviews your skin, medical history and goals before recommending a personalized plan. Book a consultation to find out whether this treatment suits you.
LIV Clinic — “Live Your Life Young”
Doctor-led aesthetic and wellness clinic on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, serving both international visitors and local residents.
Koh Samui (Bophut): 1/63 Thaweeratpakdee Rd, Bo Put, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84320 · Tel 065-996-4242
Koh Phangan: 116/16 Moo 1, Koh Phangan, Surat Thani 84280 · Tel 093-254-5259
LINE: @Livclinic · Book a consultation
Explore our laser hair removal and HIFU and skin-tightening services.
ฆสพ.สฎ. 78/2567