LASER HAIR REMOVAL
Lasers are useful for removing unwanted hair from the face, leg, chin, back, arm, underarm, bikini line, and other areas. Benefits of laser hair removal include:
Precision. Lasers can selectively target dark, coarse hairs while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged.
Speed. Each pulse of the laser takes a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs at the same time. The laser can treat an area approximately the size of a quarter every second. Small areas such as the upper lip can be treated in less than a minute, and large areas, such as the back or legs, may take up to an hour.
Predictability. Most patients have permanent hair loss after an average of six to ten sessions done about four weeks apart.
PRE-TREATMENT CARE
o The area to be treated must be clean-shaven. Shave the night before or morning of treatment. It is not necessary to grow out hair.
o Clients must stop waxing, tweezing and chemical epilation 2-3 weeks prior to treatment.
o Let your provider know of any and all medications your taking.
o Avoid UV exposure 14 days prior to your treatment.
o Clients who are sunburned or tanned must wait 2 weeks before being treated to avoid additional issue.
o Avoid sunless tanning products 7 days prior to your treatment. It is recommended that you exfoliate the area to remove any residual color.
o Clients should come to appointments with clean skin in the area to be treated. All clients who are treating any part of their face or neck will be required to cleanse their entire face and remove any make up or SPF.
o Avoid chemical peels and other light based procedures in the area to be treated for 2 weeks prior and two weeks after your treatment.
o Avoid all alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxyl products (AHA/BHA), hydroquinone, retinols/retinoid, Tazorac, and Differin for 7 days before treatment.
o Notify provider if taking Accutane. Wait 6 months after last use for treatment.
o Clients with any abnormal lesions, moles or spots on the area to be treated must be cleared by a medical practitioner prior to treatment.
o If you are prone to cold sores, it is highly recommended to take an anti-viral medication (such as Valtrex) prior to your treatment. Clients with active cold sores will not be treated.
o If you have Botox or dermal fillers in the area to be treated, wait 14 days both before and after injection to receive treatments.
WHAT TO EXPECT
o During your treatment you can expect minor discomfort, similar to a rubber-band snap on your skin. Consult your laser technician with questions.
o 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.
o Allow a minimum of 7 to 14 days post treatment for hair to “fall out" or shed from the skin.
o On average, clients experience up to 30% reduction after each treatment.
o For best results, allow your technician(s) to customize your treatment schedule based on your needs.
o DO Not treat over Tattoo.
POST TREATEMENT
o The treatment area may feel like a mild sun burn. Warm sensation, slight erythema. It is advised to wear loose fitting garments for comfort.
o Use 30SPF daily on exposed treatment area. Avoid extended UV exposure for 7 days post-treatment.
o Over the counter medication is recommended for post treatment discomfort. You may also apply cool towels, ice packs or aloe vera to alleviate discomfort due to heat.
o Avoid any additional laser treatments or chemical procedures on the treated area for at least 2 weeks post-treatment or until healing has occurred.
o Using a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 30 or higher is critical when receiving treatments and is recommended ongoing for maintenance.
o If you experience any side effects, such as hypo- or hyper-pigmentation, prolonged redness or swelling, a histamine reaction, or blistering, call or come in for instructions on treatment.
o To achieve the best results, complete the full treatment schedule at the intervals recommended by your technician.