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LASER-IPL Hair Removal Guidelines
Pre Treatment Procedures
1. Before any laser treatment you must avoid sun
exposure, tanning beds and tanning creams for approximately one
month and refrain from using these products throughout the course
of the remaining treatments.
2. Shave the area that is to be treated the day of
the appointment to ensure a clean hairless surface. Thick
overlaying hair, if not shaved, will absorb the laser energy
and superficial thermal injury can occur.
3. For under arms, it is important to NOT use any
anti-perspirants or deodorants on the day of the appointment.
4. On the day of the appointment try to avoid any
perfumes, colognes, after-shave, or body lotions on the area to
be treated.
5. For treatment on the bikini area please dress
appropriately and bring a change of clothing if necessary.
6. Please note that once the decision has been made
to begin laser hair removal treatments, you are no longer
allowed to tweeze, wax, or use hair removal creams in between
treatment. If absolutely necessary you may only shave the
area to be treated.
Treatment Contraindications:
· Pacemaker or internal defibrillator
· Accutane® (or other oral retinoids) within the
last 6 months
· History of keloid scaring
· Any abnormal or undiagnosed pigmentations
· Atypical moles of malignancy
· Non-intact skin (i.e. sores, psoriasis, eczema,
infection, rash)
· Laser resurfacing in treatment area within 3
months
· Any medical conditions involving impairment of
skin structure, especially healing
· Poorly controlled Diabetes
· Pregnancy
· Medication that may cause photosensitivity to
light 680-980 nm
· Nickel allergy
· Recent chemical or mechanical peel in treatment
area (within 2 weeks)
· Wait 2 weeks before/after injectable or filler
procedures in treatment area
Post Treatment Guidelines
1. Immediately after your treatment, there could be
erythema (redness) and edema (swelling) at the treatment
site. This may last up to 2 hours or longer. The
erythema could in fact last up to 3 days. The treated
area will feel like sunburn for a few hours after
treatment. Apply ice if necessary, during the first few
hours after the treatment, to reduce any discomfort or swelling
that you may experience.
2. In some cases, topical antibiotic ointment may
be used for 3-4 days, but usually this is not necessary.
Some physicians recommend only aloe vera gel or ice after the
treatment. Darker skin types may have more discomfort
than lighter skin types and may require the aloe vera gel or
antibiotic ointment somewhat longer, approximately 5-7 days.
3. If the area develops a crust or scab, then apply
a common antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin® to keep the
area moist until the crust or scab falls off. Allow the
crust or scab to fall off on its own. Do not pick at the
area, for doing so may cause hyper-pigmentation (darkening) in
that area, and/or may cause an infection to set into the
unprotected skin.
4. Makeup may be used immediately after the
procedure, unless there is epidermal blistering. It is
recommended that you use newly purchased makeup to reduce the
possibility of infection. Older makeup may contain
bacteria that may have been developed over time and continuous
use.
5. If the treated area looks infected and/or
tenderness is obviously present, please contact the office, as
a stronger antibiotic may be needed.
6. Avoid sun exposure to reduce the chances of
hyper-pigmentation. If exposed by necessity, you should
use adequate sunscreen (SPF 30 or greater) at all times
throughout the course of the treatment.
7. Avoid picking or scratching the treated
skin. Do not use any other hair removal products or
similar treatments (waxing, electrolysis, tweezing, depilatory
creams) that will disturb the hair removal treatment. You
may shave the area 3-5 days after the procedure if there is no
crusting or scabbing.
8. Anywhere from 5-14 days after the treatment,
shedding of the surface hair may occur and this may appear to
look like new hair growth. This is NOT new hair
growth. You can clean and remove the hair by washing or
wiping the area with a wet cloth or loofah sponge.
9. There are no restrictions on bathing except that
you must treat the skin gently, as if you had a sunburn, for
the first 24 hours.
Post treatment skin care
instructions must be followed to prevent complications.
Please contact the technician
with questions or concerns regarding your treatment.
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