Laser Hair Removal

What to Expect

During your treatment you can expect slight discomfort, similar to a rubber-band snap on your skin.
You may experience slight redness, bumps, and swelling in the treated area for up to 72 hours. If these conditions persist, topical creams such as Restorative Gel (highest recommended), aloe, calamine or hydrocortisone may be applied.
Allow a minimum of 7 to 14 days post treatment for hair to “fall out” or shed from the skin.
On average, clients experience up to 30% reduction after each treatment.
Side effects are uncommon but may include; Hyperpigmentation (darkening of skin), Hypopigmentation (loss of skin pigmentation), mild to moderate burns or blisters, permanent skin discoloration, temporary redness, follicular edema (little pink/red “puffiness and small bumps like “goose bumps”), swelling and itching in the treated area, hives, rashes, bruising, and lack of desired results.
Clients who are pregnant cannot be treated.
Technicians cannot treat over tattoos.
Clients who have used Accutane or similar products within the last 6 months CANNOT have laser hair removal treatments.

Pretreatment

The area to be treated must be clean-shaven. Unshaven clients will be rescheduled or be subject to our $50 shaving fee.
Do not wax, tweeze, pluck or use depilatories during your series of laser hair reduction.
Avoid sun exposure 2 weeks before and after treatment until your healthcare provider allows it. Epidermal melanocytes compete with melanin in the hair.
Your provider may ask you to stop any topical medications or skin care products 3-5 days prior to treatment.
Avoid bleaching, plucking or waxing hair for 6 weeks prior to treatment. The melanin-containing hair must be present in the follicle as it is the “target” for the laser light. (You must be clean-shaven)
If you have a history of cold sores or genital herpes simplex virus, it is highly recommended to take an anti-viral medication (such as Valtrex) prior to your treatment. Clients with active cold sores/herpes will not be treated.
RECENTLY TANNED SKIN CANNOT BE TREATED! If treated within 2 weeks of active (natural sunlight or tanning booth) tanning, you may develop hypopigmentation (white spots) after treatment and this may not clear for 2-3 months or more.
The use of self-tanning skin products must be discontinued one week before treatment. Any residual selftanner should be removed prior to treatment.
Avoid chemical peels and other laser procedures in the area to be treated for 2 weeks prior and two weeks after your laser treatment.
Avoid all alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxyl products (AHA/BHA), hydroquinone, retinols/retinoid, Tazorac, and Differin for 7 days before treatment.
Antibiotics may increase photosensitivity. We recommend that you check with your personal physician prior to receiving laser treatments if you are taking a long-term antibiotic. If you become ill and begin taking an antibiotic, you will need to be off the medication for 7 days before laser treatment.
Longevity of Botox and fillers done any time within 6 months prior to face treatment may be affected. Botox done within 2 weeks prior to treatment is not recommended.

Post Treatment Care

Immediately after treatment, there may be erythema (redness) and edema (swelling) of each hair follicle in the treatment site, which may last up to 2 hours, or longer. The erythema may last up to 2-3 days. The treated area will feel like a sunburn for a few hours after treatment.
Makeup may be used immediately after the treatment IF the skin is not irritated.
Avoid sun exposure for 7 days post-treatment.
If blisters occur, do not puncture. If skin is broken, apply an antibiotic ointment until healed.
Tylenol is recommended for post-treatment discomfort.
You may also apply Restorative Gel (highest recommended), cool towels, ice packs or aloe vera to alleviate discomfort due to heat.
Avoid any additional laser treatments or chemical procedures on the treated area for at least 2 weeks post-treatment or until healing has occurred.
Using a broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 45 or higher is critical when receiving laser treatments and is recommended ongoing for maintenance.
To achieve the best results, complete the full treatment schedule at the intervals recommended. (Typically every 6 weeks)
Exfoliate treated areas to minimize risk of ingrown hairs.