I am scheduled to have my first laser session on my lower legs 4 days before I go on vacation. I’m not going anywhere tropical so I wont be sunbathing or anything like that but I would like to be able to wear shorts and dresses while I’m gone. Is it normal to have skin reactions that make laser noticeable the first few weeks following a treatment? I’m considering rescheduling the treatment if I’m likely to be spotty afterward.
I believe the general rule is to try and avoid the sun for at least a week after (several places here in Southern California say 48 hours is enough). If you’re going to be exposed to sun, just apply some good sunscreen and you “should” be fine.
I’m not worried about any sun exposure, I’m going home (to Ohio) after not seeing most friends and family for 2 years. I have a few parties and dinners planned where I will be wearing dresses so I dont want people who haven’t seen me in forever wondering what is going on with my legs if they’re covered in pronounced pepper spots, scabs, or whiteheads. My hair is black and thick and my skin is pale so I’m worried any reaction will be pretty obvious. Are any of those reactions (or others) common for the first week after your first treatment?
I’ve black, very coarse hair there and the first couple of weeks the area felt and looked unshaved - even after a shave.
Once the hair shed, the skin felt very smooth but the legs still looked unshaved. I had about a cazillion pepper spots which needed months to go away.
I’m very glad I didn’t do this just before a vacation because those legs were definitely not fit to show.
Thats the type of thing I’m worried about, did you try exfoliating? I don’t want to have to reschedule my appointment but I Really dont want to look like I burnt off my leg hair with a lighter.
I tried everything and the only thing that helped was squeezing them all out. 
Is that a normal reaction for most people? Anyone else think I should reschedule??
Pepper spots are an extremely normal reaction on the legs when treated at proper settings, and in fact, is a sign that the treatment worked. The look of it sucks (I’m going through it now), but they do in fact work their way out over time. Other places on the body (such as the male beard) seem to suffer from them less. Honestly, 4 days after being treated, it’s probably going to look similar to actually shaving your legs. I can promise you, as a guy, it’s way more embarrassing than if you’re a girl lol.
Unfortunately there can be some side-effects to laser hair removal but if affects us all differently. If you’re lucky (like me!) your legs will just be a bit red for a few hours. Look, if you read the FAQs on here: http://www.londonpremierlaser.co.uk it says at most, it will take a few days for the redness to die down. If you go a good week before your holiday it should be fine I think!!
My laser place warned me that I may get itchy and if this happens I should use cortisone 1%