Laser Hair Removal Before and After Care Instructions

Before your treatment

● Avoid sun exposure or use of tanning beds: Avoid the sun or use of tanning beds for at least two weeks before and after treatment to reduce the risk of burning, scarring, and other skin damage. You can also use SPF 30 daily to protect against UVA and UVB rays. Tanning introduces an increased risk for pigmentation changes.

● Shave: Shave the area 24 hours before your appointment. Shaving removes hair above the surface that can absorb laser light and reduce the amount of energy that reaches the hair roots. Shave as closely as possible to your skin to allow maximum energy to penetrate.

● Avoid products: Avoid applying any products to the treatment area, including makeup, creams, deodorant, and irritating or drying products for 24 hours. Deodorant residue can deflect the laser, and some products can make your skin more susceptible to damage.

● Avoid Accutane for 6 months prior.

● Avoid waxing and plucking: Don’t wax, tweeze, or use depilatories in the area being treated for at least 2 weeks prior to your first appointment and in between appointments (shaving is OK).

● Avoid bleaching: Stop bleaching your hair at least six weeks before treatment, as it can make the laser less effective.

● Stop the use of any retinol products, vitamin C products, glycolic acids, skin rejuvenating products, and any other potential irritants to the treated area three days prior to your treatment.

After your treatment

● Avoid self-tanning: Don’t use self-tanning products for two weeks before or after treatment.

● Avoid sun exposure for at least two weeks after treatment to reduce the risk of burning, scarring, and other skin damage. You can also use SPF 30 daily to protect against UVA and UVB rays.

● Resume the use of any retinol product to the treated area three days after your treatment so long as there is no remaining redness

● Redness or a sunburn sensation may occur after treatment. Typically, this only lasts a few hours.

● Be sure to schedule your next treatment in 4-8 weeks

● Do not shave the treated area until the skin is completely healed.