Pre-Treatment
- Discontinue sun tanning, including the use of tanning beds and self-tanning creams 4 weeks before and throughout the laser hair removal treatment course.
- Discontinue the use of exfoliating creams that include Retin-A and other Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) ingredients on
the areas to be treated. - The treatment area needs to be shaved to skin level, although a day’s hair growth may be helpful so that the area that requires treatment is easily recognizable.
- Avoid waxing, plucking, threading or electrolysis of the hair for 4 weeks prior to treatment.
- Be sure that the treatment area is “squeaky clean” and has no makeup, oils, deodorant, creams, topical medications etc.
- Be certain that you are not on medications that cause photosensitivity or on acne medications such as Accutane, Retin-A, Gold Therapy etc, at present or within the past 6 months. These medications, and several others, may make your skin susceptible to damage from the laser. If in doubt, ( please click here to see a list of medications)
- If you have a history of herpes outbreaks in the area of treatment, you should let us know or speak with your primary care provider for medical evaluation and possible medication prior to laser hair removal.
- Numbing cream may be applied to the laser hair removal areas 30 minutes before treatment to improve comfort.
Post-Treatment
- Apply ice or cold packs to numb the treated area. After laser hair removal, you may feel some minor discomfort like a mild sunburn. The area might be slightly swollen or red. You can use ice or cold packs immediately after the laser treatment
- Apply a lotion, aloe gel, or hydrocortisone cream if skin is feeling irritated, this will help calm it down. If the irritation persists beyond 24 hours, you should contact the Clinic. Do not pick at the treated area
- For the next two to three weeks, you will start to notice what looks like blackheads cropping up or hair growing back on the area that was just lasered. Do not panic; this is normal. It is just the hair beginning to shed, and once it’s gone its gone. Starting 48-72 hours after your laser hair removal treatment, start exfoliating. Use a washcloth, puffy shower sponge, a loofah, or an exfoliating shower wash to help the process along. Do not use anything very rough, like a gritty salt scrub though because that is too rough for your sensitive skin
- Do not tweeze or shave or trim, waxing, or threading that will remove the hair from its shaft for 72 hours. What that means is that the laser will not be able to do its job in eliminating those hairs during the next treatment. Stop using Nair or other depilatory at least two days before next treatment
- Protect treated area from the Sun! Use sunscreen with at least SPF 30! The sunlight will irritate the treated area and possibly make the discomfort and redness worse. Make sure to avoid heat, sun exposure, saunas, tanning beds, hot tubs as well as hot baths for the first 72 hours after your treatment, and as well as swimming pools (due to the chlorine)
- Avoid strenuous exercise for at least 48 hours after treatment. Raising the body’s temperature through exercise can also irritate the treated area. Wait at least 48 hours before strenuous exercise
- Avoid using makeup on the treated area for 48 hours
- Avoid using perfumed products or bleaching creams for 48 hours
- Wear loose clothing to avoid friction on the treated area for 48 hours
- Keep treated area clean and dry for 48 hours
- Drink Plenty of water.
10 Days after your Hair removal Treatment its important to begin the exfoliation process. Exfoliation assists the ‘shedding process’ and can help to breakdown the treated area and expel it from underneath the skin. If you’ve vulnerable to in-grown hairs this process of assisted exfoliation is especially important. Use an exfoliating mitt twice weekly (after 10 days) on laser treated areas during showers.
You may notice the dead hair surfacing for 2-3 weeks after treatment. Although this could appear to be new growth, it is not. This process is named purging or shedding and can take time to complete. You must withdraw these hairs with a moist cloth or exfoliating mitt once the sensitivity of treated area resolves.