What you need to know about your laser hair removal session

Pre-Treatment Instructions 

• Shave the area to be treated about 24 hours prior to your appointment. A small amount of very short stubble or shadow is OK, but longer must be shaved.
• Do not wax, sugar, tweeze, pluck, thread or get electrolysis on the area for at least 4-6 weeks prior to your treatment. This removes the hair from the follicle which is the target for the laser and needed for an effective treatment. Shaving or trimming is fine.
• Avoid products containing Retin-A, retinol, or glycolic/salicylic acid for at least 2 days prior to your treatment.
• Do not bleach or use depilatories for at least 2 weeks prior to your treatment.
• Do not expose the area to be treated to sun tanning or tanning beds for a few weeks before your treatment. If you are in the sun, apply a sunscreen.
• Do not use any self-tanner on the area for at least 2 weeks prior to your treatment.
• If there is a history of herpes, consult your Primary Care Provider for possible prophylactic antiviral therapy prior to your treatment.
• Please reschedule if you are on an antibiotic.
• If this it your first treatment, please arrive a few minutes early to complete your paperwork.

Post-Treatment Instructions

• Immediately after the treatments, there should be redness and bumps at the treatment area, which may last up to 2 hours or longer. It is normal for the treated area to feel like sunburn for a few hours, up to 2-3 days. You should use a cold compress if needed. If any mild crusting appears, apply antibiotic cream and cleanse with mild soap and water. In some cases, it can take up to a full 2 weeks to be completely healed.
• Avoid sun exposure to reduce the chance of dark or light spots. Use sunscreen SPF 50 or higher at all times while undergoing treatment.
• Avoid picking or scratching the treated skin. Do not use any other hair removal methods (besides shaving) as it will prevent you from achieving your best results.
• You may shower after the laser treatments. The treated area may be washed gently with a mild soap. Skin should be patted dry and not rubbed. You may apply deodorant after 24 hours. 
• Sometimes stubble (looks like razor burn), representing dead hair being shed from the hair follicle, will appear after the treatment. This is normal and will fall out.
• Anywhere from 1-3 weeks after the treatment, shedding of the hair may occur and this may appear as new hair growth. This is not new hair growth, but dead/injured hair pushing its way out of the follicle. You can help the hair exfoliate by washing or wiping with a washcloth.
• Hair re-growth occurs at different rates on different areas of the body. New hair growth will not occur for at least three weeks after treatment. 
• Multiple treatments will be required to achieve optimum results (typically at least 8-12 treatments spaced 4 weeks apart for the face and the body spaced 6-8 weeks apart).

 Call the office at 888-449-4541