Hair removal is a long-held tradition for swimmers. Before a competition, many swimmers choose to get rid of all exposed body hair. Whether it’s for added confidence, enhanced performance, or a force of habit, it’s a useful practice but it can also be time-consuming and inconvenient. 

If you’re a swimmer who regularly removes body hair, laser hair removal could totally change your game. It’s a hassle-free hair removal method with long-lasting results, saving you time and money.

This post covers everything to do with laser hair removal and swimming, from its benefits to how you can fit appointments into your practice schedule. Are you ready to dive in? 

How Hair Removal Improves Swimming Performance 

Swimming is a physical and mental game. Hair removal can improve a swimmer’s performance on both fronts. 

Starting with the physical benefits, where research shows that hair removal may directly impact performance. According to a study on competitive swimmers, participants who removed exposed body hair increased their distance per stroke by 5%. Another study found that hair removal reduced active drag, which decreased the physical cost of swimming. 

Though these studies had small sample sizes, their findings can’t be dismissed. For competitive swimmers, any tiny advantage can add up and impact swim time. 

On the mental level, many swimmers also report that they “feel the water” better when they remove body hair. The increased sensation helps swimmers feel like they can glide better and move faster through the water. 

While it might be a placebo effect, it shouldn’t be discounted. It’s well accepted that the placebo effect can have real physiological benefits, and many athletes report better performance — even when they’re well aware it’s mostly in their heads. 

Lastly, it’s important you feel as confident and comfortable as possible, so you can concentrate on your swimming during important meets and competitions. This is especially true for female athletes, where the stigma of visible body hair can take a mental toll. 

Why Swimmers Get Laser Hair Removal 

If you’re a swimmer who removes their visible body hair, laser hair removal is the best long-term solution. You’ll still enjoy the performance boost that can come with hair removal, but without the time commitment, spending, or hassle of other methods. 

Shaving and waxing can be difficult, especially for swimmers who remove all body hair including hard to reach places like the back. The time and money you spend shaving also adds up over the course of your lifetime. 

Laser hair removal is convenient, quick, and it’s almost painless when carried out with the right technology. As a swimmer, getting laser hair removal gives you the following benefits: 

  • Laser hair removal is much more affordable in the long term, especially compared to waxing.
  • Lasting results means you’ll have a lot more free time, so you can concentrate on your practice. 
  • You’ll never have to deal with ingrown hairs, irritation, or razor bumps once you undergo enough sessions.
  • You’ll always feel smooth and ready to tackle life, whether in or out of the pool.

How Laser Hair Removal Works for Swimmers

Unlike shaving or waxing, laser hair removal targets the hair follicle directly and inhibits its ability to grow hair. 

With enough sessions, the hair follicles are eventually destroyed. After the first session alone, people may experience as much as a 25% reduction in hair growth, although the progress isn’t always linear. The hair often grows back lighter and thinner. 

You can expect your treatment to take anywhere from a couple of minutes to an hour, depending on the size of your treatment area. 

The success of your treatment depends on many factors, like:

  • The types of laser hair removal equipment.
  • Intensity setting of the laser machine.
  • Your hair color. Lasers are more effective on darker hair.
  • Skin tone. Those with lighter skin can experience faster results.
  • Body part. Areas like the arms or legs respond better to laser hair removal.
  • Hormones can impact your hair growth and affect the effectiveness of your treatment.

These factors make it hard to estimate the number of sessions a client might need. 

When Can I Go in the Pool After Laser Hair Removal?

Right after your treatment, it’s normal for your skin to experience swelling and appear a little red. Your skin will be sensitive for around 2-3 days. It’s wise to wait until your skin calms down completely before you return to the pool. 

Chlorine Exposure After Laser Hair Removal 

Harsh pool chemicals like chlorine could irritate your skin so it’s best to wait around 48-72 hours before you hit the pool. This is because you need to give your skin time to heal. A salt water pool might be more forgiving, but we’d still urge you to be cautious. 

After swimming, rinse your skin with clean water to wash away the pool chemicals, and consider moisturizing the area with a fragrance-free lotion. This will reduce the risk of excessive skin dryness and irritation. 

Addressing Sun Exposure 

Most athletic swimmers use indoor pools, but if you often swim outdoors, practice extreme caution. Avoid all unprotected sun exposure while undergoing laser treatments. Wear UPF-rated swimsuits and sunscreen if you swim outdoors, both before and after laser treatments. Any direct sun exposure can damage your sensitive, laser-treated skin, potentially leading to more significant sunburn. 

Expected Results and Maintenance for Swimmers

If you decide to get laser hair removal, you can expect different results depending on which areas are treated, as well as your individual physiology and hormones. 

Laser hair removal only works on the hairs that are in the growth phase of their life cycle. This is why swimmers will need multiple laser hair removal sessions to see their desired level of smoothness. 

Most swimmers remove all of their exposed body hair, including the arms, legs, and torso. The legs and arms often have the best results, achieving lasting smoothness within a relatively shorter series of treatments. This is closely followed by the underarms and pelvic area. 

Male swimmers often remove hair from their abdomen, chest, and back, where the results can also be fantastic.

Areas that are heavily impacted by hormones, like the face, might take longer to treat, and often experience more regrowth due to hormonal fluctuations (although this is a risk with all treatment areas). 

At SEV, we recommend coming in for regular touch-ups as needed. Even with the occasional maintenance treatment, our clients still save an immense amount of time and money. 

Scheduling Touch-Ups Around Competitions

Initial laser hair removal treatments are spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. Take into account the 2-3 days of downtime after your treatment, so you can schedule your appointments to fit with your schedule. 

If you’re also hoping to achieve a high level of smoothness by a specific competition or event, make sure to also give yourself enough lead time. While results are unpredictable, most clients can expect to take a minimum of several months to achieve significant hair reduction. 

Customized Treatments for Athletes at SEV

Your love for swimming is amazing! At SEV, we want to help you keep swimming, without having to deal with the hassle of hair removal. 

Whether you’re a career athlete or a hobbyist, we’d love to work with you to give you the smooth, hair free skin of your dreams. During your first session, your nurse or laser technician will go over everything you need to know. 

We’ll answer all of your questions and do everything in our power to cater to your personal needs as a swimmer. With 40+ locations throughout the country, it’ll be easy for you to visit our nearest studio!

No matter which SEV location you choose, you’ll have an amazing experience with our friendly and skilled laser technicians. To ensure your treatment is as safe and effective as possible, we’ll make sure to choose the type of laser that’s right for your skin, with tailored options for every skin tone. 

If you’re ready for effective, accessible, and inclusive laser hair removal, go ahead and book your first appointment. We’d love to have you here!