Preparing for Laser Treatment

Laser treatments can be an effective way to remove hair, superficial blood vessels, and some dark spots as well as improve the appearance of various scars; however, there are things you should know before your first appointment

 

General laser requirements

1. Avoid excessive sun or UV exposure 1 week before your appointment – excessively tanned skin can absorb more of the laser energy leading to prolonged redness and darkening and even blistering of the skin

   1. For the above reasons, patient’s with sunburns or those who use sunless tanning products will have their appointments rescheduled

2. Please make sure there are no products on the treatment area the day of your laser appointment

   1. This includes make-up, tinted sunblock, or other products

   2. Numbing cream and regular sunscreen are acceptable, but will be removed with alcohol wipes before your treatment

3. Please avoid chemical peels, facials, etc. to treatment area for two weeks before and after your appointment

   1. Avoid all alpha and beta hydroxy products (AHA/BHA), Hydroquinone, Retinols/Retinoids, Tazorac, Tretinoin and Differin for 14 days (2 weeks) before treatment (unless otherwise stated by your provider)

   2. Additionally, please tell your provider if you are Accutane as this will require your treatment to be rescheduled.

   3. If a topical numbing aesthetic is provided, please apply to the treatment area 30 minutes to 1 hour before your appointment as it takes time for medication to take effect.

 

Laser hair reduction requirements

1. Please stop waxing or tweezing 3 weeks prior to treatment

   1. Hair within the skin is required for laser reduction to be effective

2. Please shave the area to be treated the night before your scheduled appointment

   1. Your appointment will be rescheduled if hair visible over skin

      1. Visible hair can absorb more of the laser energy leading to prolonged redness and darkening and even blistering of the skin

   2. Of note, only pigmented hairs can be treated with laser (very blonde, white, and gray hairs cannot be targeted by the laser)

 

PLEASE TELL YOUR PROVIDER IF YOU ARE PRONE TO COLD SORES, KELOIDS,  ARE PREGNANT, OR HAD AN ADVERSE REACTION TO PREVIOUS LASER TREATMENTS