Pre-Treatment Advice

• Avoid tanning for 4 weeks before laser treatment. This reduces the risk of hypo or hyper pigmentation (white or dark spots).
• Use a sunscreen of 30+ SPF.
• Do not wax, tweeze, bleach, or have electrolysis for 6 weeks before laser treatment.
• You may be asked to use a pre-treatment cream (hydroquinone) for 4 to 6 weeks before treatment, stopping 2 weeks before treatment.
• You may shave or use a depilatory cream until 3 to 14 days before laser treatment, however, stubble should be visible on the day of treatment.
• If you have had a history of perioral herpes, prophylactic antiviral therapy may be started the day before treatment and continued one week after treatment.

Tanned Skin

If you are tan or have a darker skin type, a bleaching regiment may be started 4-6 weeks before treatment. Tan skin cannot be treated! If treated, you will have white spots that may not clear for 2-3 months or more. Also, the use of tanning cream must be discontinued one week before treatment.

Post-Treatment Advice

Shortly after treatment areas will be tender, slightly red and swollen. This reaction usually disappears within a few hours. Blisters may occur in sensitive areas such as bikini line and neck areas. Oozing, crusting and scabbing may occur within 1-3 days.

• Do not pick or remove scabs.
• Do not use any other hair removal treatment products or similar treatments (waxing, electrolysis or tweezing) that will disturb the hair follicle on the treatment area for 4-6 weeks after the laser treatment is performed. Shaving or depilatories may be used.
• Apply aloe vera gel or an antibiotic ointment twice daily until the area is healed (5-7 days). If you experience itching, an antihistamine such as Benadryl may be taken 1-3 days. Darker pigmented people may have more discomfort than lighter skin people and may require aloe vera gel or antibiotic cream longer.
• For the first 2-3 days apply an ice pack for 15 minutes a fe times a day if you have swelling or discomfort.
• After the axillae or underarms are treated, use a powder or alcohol instead of deodorant for 24 hours to reduce skin irritation.
• Makeup should be avoided for 3-4 days until the site has healed. New makeup is best to avoid risk of infection.
• Any moisturizer without alpha-hydroxy acids will help the dead hair exfoliate from the follicle, so use moisturizer frequently and freely on the treated area.
• After the area has healed avoid exposure to the sun for 2 months and use a sunscreen of 30+ SPF.
• You may shower the next day after laser treatments. The treated area may be washed gently with a mild soap. The skin should be patted dry and not rubbed.

Note...

Stubble representing dead hair being shed from the hair follicle will appear within 10-20 days from the treatment date.