8. What are the pre/post treatment instructions

Laser hair removal pre-treatment instructions

It is very important that the laser hair removal treatment is not given when you have a suntan or sunburn.

If you have a darker skin tone, you should begin a bleaching regimen at least two weeks before treatment.

It is not necessary to shave, but it will quicken treatment time.  A shadow or stubble should be visible. Plucking should be stopped for a couple of weeks before treatment.

If you get cold sores or have genital herpes, start taking Zovirax, or similar medicine before treatment.

Laser hair removal post-treatment instructions

Following the session, it is most important that you moisturize the treated area at least four times per day making sure the moisturizer you are using does not contain irritating products.

Working out, aerobic exercise, weight lifting, treadmills, etc. should be delayed for 24 hours since perspiration may aggravate the treated area.

After five days, if the skin has returned to normal, you may use a moisturizer that is dye, perfume, and fragrance free. You should also cleanse the skin twice a day after your treatment patting the skin dry instead of rubbing. Moisturizing must follow cleansing immediately.

Excessive sun exposure should be avoided for two weeks. After 24 hours you may apply sunscreen as long as there are no breaks in the skin, crusting, scabbing, or inflamed areas.

Make-up may be applied 24 hours after the treatment as long as there is no inflammation, irritation, or severe redness of the treated areas. If scabbing or crusting occurs, no make-up should be applied until these have cleared.

After the laser hair removal treatment, cutting or shaving the treated areas is not allowed for at least three days.

Go to FAQ 9 ("What should I expect?")