So, you’ve just had laser hair removal and your skin feels smoother than it’s ever been… but now you’re Googling “how to exfoliate after laser hair removal” because no one told you what comes next. Do you scrub? Do you wait? Will your skin fall off if you use glycolic acid too soon? Breathe. I got you.
Exfoliating after a laser hair removal treatment is one of those things that can seriously help your results – if you do it right. Do it wrong, and you’re looking at irritation, bumps, maybe even hyperpigmentation. No thanks. Let’s walk through laser hair removal aftercare: when to exfoliate, what to use (and avoid), the best ingredients, and how to keep your skin baby-smooth without wrecking it.
First of All: Why Exfoliate After Laser Hair Removal?
Here’s the thing: laser hair removal doesn’t instantly “zap” every single hair out. The laser targets the pigment in the hair follicle, damages it, and over the next few days to weeks, those treated hairs get pushed out of the skin. You’ll start to see what looks like hair regrowth, but it’s actually just your skin purging the dead hairs.
That’s where exfoliation comes in. Exfoliating helps speed up the shedding of dead skin cells, so the dead hairs don’t get stuck under the skin or lead to ingrown hairs. Done correctly, it helps your skin look and feel smoother faster. But (and this is important!) timing matters. You do not want to exfoliate too soon after laser. Your skin’s going to be sensitive, possibly inflamed, and exfoliating too early is like putting lemon juice on a paper cut. Just don’t.
So… When Can You Start Exfoliating After Laser Hair Removal?
Give it a solid 5 to 7 days after a laser hair removal session before you even think about exfoliating. That means no scrubs, no acids, not even your trusty loofah. Why? Because your skin’s basically in recovery mode. It might look fine, but under the surface it’s still a little stressed out from the laser. So give it a breather. Don’t be that person who asks their skin to do too much, too soon.
If you’ve got sensitive skin, or if you had laser on more delicate areas like your bikini line or underarms, play it safe and wait closer to 10 days. Honestly, the more time you give it to chill, the better your skin’s going to handle exfoliation later.
How to tell if the treated area if ready for gentle exfoliation:
- No redness, itching, or weird heat lingering
- It feels normal: not tight, dry, or reactive
- You’re seeing those little hairs poking out but they’re not budging
If you’re ticking those boxes? You’re good to go. Let the gentle scrubbing begin.
How To Exfoliate After Laser Hair Removal (Step-by-Step)
- Start Gentle (Seriously): Your skin’s been through a lot. The first step is to skip anything that screams “gritty scrub.” Instead, go for a gentle chemical exfoliant (we’ll talk ingredients in a sec) or a super soft washcloth if you prefer manual exfoliation.
- Patch Test First: Pick a small part of the treatment area and exfoliate there first. Wait 24 hours. If your skin freaks out (redness, burning, breakouts), you know that product’s too harsh or your skin isn’t ready.
- 1-2 Times a Week Tops: Start with once or twice a week and see how your delicate skin handles it. If everything’s smooth (literally), bump it up to 2-3 times a week max.
- Moisturise: Exfoliation without hydration is like shampooing without conditioner. Rough, unbalanced, and begging for irritation. Use a fragrance-free, barrier-repairing gentle moisturizer right after to soothe the skin.
Best Ingredients To Exfoliate With After A Laser Treatment
Alright, so your skin’s finally chilled out after your laser hair removal appointment and it’s time to exfoliate. But not just with anything! You want ingredients that help shed those stubborn dead hairs without wrecking your barrier or leaving you red and blotchy. Here’s what to reach for:
1. Lactic Acid
Perfect for: Dry, sensitive, or just generally dramatic skin
Why it’s good: Lactic acid is like the gentle older sibling of the acid world. It exfoliates, sure, but it also hydrates while it’s doing it. Think of it as exfoliation with a built-in hug.
How to use it: Look for a lotion with around 5-10% lactic acid. Rub it on clean, dry skin 1-2 times a week. That’s it. Don’t overdo it. This stuff works best slow and steady.
Related: Glycolic Acid VS Lactic Acid: Which One Should You Choose?
2. Salicylic Acid
Perfect for: Oily skin, bumpy bits, and anywhere prone to ingrown hairs (looking at you, bikini line)
Why it’s good: It’s the only oil-soluble exfoliant, so it gets deep into your pores to help prevent clogged hair follicles and future breakouts. It’s also works well for keratosis pilaris (those tiny chicken skin bumps).
How to use it: Go for a body spray or lotion with 2% salicylic acid and use it a couple of times a week.
Related: Why Salicylic Acid Is The Only Exfoliant Oily Skin Needs
3. Urea
Perfect for: Flaky, rough, or super dry post-laser skin
Why it’s good: Urea doesn’t get enough hype. At lower strengths (5-10%), it softens dead skin gently. At higher doses (20-40%), it actually dissolves the glue holding those dead skin cells together. It’s low-key magic.
How to use it: Slather on a urea cream anywhere your skin feels like it’s holding on to hair too long. Arms, legs, wherever. Great for smoothing and hydrating at the same time.
Related: Is Urea The Most Underrated Exfoliant Of All?
What Are The Best Exfoliants After Laser Hair Removal?
- Eucerin Dry Skin Replenshing Cream 5% Urea (£12.00): A lightweight moisturiser for dry skin that plumps it up and heals dryness and dehydration without leaving a grease residue on skin. Available at Boots, Look Fantastic, and Sephora.
- Paula’s Choice RESIST Weightless Body Treatment 2 Percent BHA ($32.00): A 2% salicylic acid exfoliant in a moisturizing base. Plus, it has its share fair of antioxidants to keep skin looking young. Available at: Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Paula’s Choice, Sephora, and SpaceNK
- Skin Rocks The Gentle Acid (£49.00): A gentle toner with lactic acid. It’s so gentle, you can use it on your body after laser hair removal too. Available at Liberty, Skin Rocks and SpaceNK
What to Avoid After Laser Hair Removal
Some exfoliants and harsh chemicals are risky for post-laser skin. These include:
❌ Scrubs with Big Grits (Apricot, Sugar, Salt): They create microtears. Just don’t.
❌ Loofahs + Dry Brushing: Too abrasive. Especially dangerous if you’re dealing with freshly lasered skin that’s still healing.
❌ High-Strength Glycolic Acid: Glycolic penetrates deeply and can be very irritating post-laser. Save it for when your skin is fully healed and used to exfoliation.
❌ Retinol / Retinoids: Not technically exfoliants, but they thin the skin and make it more reactive. Not safe for the first 1-2 weeks post-treatment.
❌ Fragrance & Essential Oils: These do nothing for exfoliation and just up your risk of skin irritation and contact dermatitis.
❌ Hot water:This includes hot tubs, hot showers, hot baths, steam rooms… obviously. Cold water isn’t the best either. Use lukewarm water instead. It’s gentler on the skin.
What If I’m Experiencing Side Effects?
Red, itchy, stingy, blotchy? Yep, your skin’s basically yelling “TOO MUCH.” You either went in too soon after your laser session or used something way too harsh. It happens. Here’s how to deal with any potential side effects and speed up the healing process:
- Put. Everything. Down. No more exfoliating, even if it says “gentle.” Your skin doesn’t care. It’s already mad.
- Go into full repair mode. Switch to a gentle cleanser and slap on something boring and thick, like CeraVe, Cicaplast, anything plain and made for angry skin. No scents, no extras, just calm.
- Moisturise like it’s your part-time job. Dry, cranky skin needs support, not tough love.
- Avoid the sun like an ex at a party. Seriously. Direct sun exposure (especially without a broad-spectrum sunscreen!) makes irritation 10x worse. Stay shaded.
- Wait until your skin’s back to normal before trying again. No redness, no heat, no tightness. Just soft, chill skin that isn’t giving you side-eye.
Your skin’s not mad at you forever… but it does want an apology. A basic skincare routine is the way to go. This is it.
Quick FAQ: Exfoliating After Laser Hair Removal
Can I exfoliate the day after laser?
Nope. Don’t even think about it. Your skin post-treatment is still in “what the hell just happened” mode. Give it at least 5 to 7 days to calm down first. That first week, your skin needs rest. If it still feels hot, itchy, or looks a bit red? Wait longer.
What’s safe for the bikini line?
Salicylic acid. Use a 2% spray or lotion a couple times a week. It helps with ingrowns and doesn’t mess with your skin barrier. But scrubs? Hard pass. That area’s too sensitive for rough stuff.
Can I use glycolic acid?
Eventually. But not right after laser. It’s strong and goes deep. Wait until your skin feels totally normal. 10 days minimum, longer if you’re sensitive. And don’t go slapping on high-strength peels. Start low.
Do I have to exfoliate even if I don’t see hairs falling out?
Yeah. Just because you don’t see the little hairs doesn’t mean they’re not stuck in there. Exfoliating helps get them out and stops weird bumps from showing up later.
My scrub says “gentle.” Can I use it?
Honestly? Still risky. Most scrubs are way too much for skin that’s healing. If you really want to exfoliate properly, stick to chemical stuff like lactic acid or urea. They do the job without shredding your face.
The Bottom Line
Laser gets you most of the way to smooth, hair-free skin. But how you treat your skin after? That’s what decides if it stays soft or turns into Bump City. Exfoliate, but don’t be wild about it. Be chill. Be nice to your skin. Moisturise like it’s your full-time job. And if something feels off? Skip a day. Smooth skin is coming. You just have to not mess it up on the way there.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
