Pre and Post Care instructions

Patient cooperation is essential to ensure the success of laser treatments. Patients need to follow explicit directions with regards to tanning, other hair removal methods and topical agents.

Pre-Treatment Instructions:

1. NO TANNING, SUNLESS TANNING OR TANNING BEDS. Tanning should be avoided for 4-6 weeks prior to treatment. Self-tanning creams and sprays need to completely fade. Sunscreen with minimum SPF 30 should be applied generously 20 minutes before sun exposure during treatment period. We recommend Alastin HydraTint or SilkShield, EltaMD products or Revision Intellishade.

2. NO FACIAL PEELS OR LASER SKINCARE TREATMENTS. No peels or strong skin care treatments for two weeks before and after laser treatments.

3. NO WAXING, TWEEZING, BLEACHING, TREADING OR OTHER HAIR FOLLICLE REMOVAL TECHNIQUES. Lasers target the pigment melanin in the hair beneath the surface of the skin. Do not wax, tweeze, bleach, thread or use depilatory agents before, during or after your treatment. Shaving is the only recommended hair removal method when performing laser hair removal.

4. NO LOTIONS, CREAMS MAKE-UP OR DEODORANT ON AREA TO BE TREATED. Please come for your treatment with clean skin that is void of any lotions, creams, makeup and deodorant as these agents obstruct or refract laser light negatively and decrease the effectiveness of the treatment.

Post treatment instructions:

Immediately after treatment there may be mild redness and swelling at the treatment site, which could last up to 2 hours or longer. Redness can last up to 2-3 days. Treated area may feel like a sunburn. Anywhere from 5- 20 days after the treatment, shedding of the surface hair may occur and will appear as new hair growth. This is not new hair growth.

1. COOLING WITH ICE. Apply ice in 15-20 minute intervals for the first few hours after treatment to reduce any discomfort or swelling. If redness or swelling persists, ice can be used in 15-minute intervals 3-4 times a day for 3 days.

2. MAKE-UP IS SAFE. Makeup may be used immediately after the treatment.

3. AVOID SUN EXPOSURE. Sunscreen with Zinc or Titanium Dioxide must be applied daily.

4. NO PICKING/SCRATCHING TREATED AREAS. Do not use any other hair removal treatment products or services (waxing, electrolysis or tweezing) that will disturb the hair follicle in the treatment area.

5. GENTLE WASHING. Wash the treated area with cool or lukewarm water and pat dry for 3 days after treatment. Do not scrub and avoid very hot water for the first day.

Before your procedure

2 weeks: Avoid sun exposure (tans/burns/tanning beds/spray tans)

10-14 days: Avoid taking NSAIDS (Aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.), Vitamin E, Fish oil, Gingko Biloba, Ginseng, and St. John’s Wart to reduce your risk of bruising and swelling.

1 week: Consider taking Arnica tablets 1 week prior to injections to minimize the risk of bruising. Arnica can be found at any health food store. Avoid retinols/tretinoins, glycolic/salicylic acids.

2 days before: Avoid consuming alcohol and/or smoking.

Day of your procedure

Do not apply creams or lotions to the area being treated.

We will have you wash your face when you arrive at the practice.

You will numb for 45 to 60 minutes prior to procedure.

Procedure

Your procedure will last approximately 1 to 1.5 hours depending on the areas treated.

You are welcome to bring entertainment: phone, music player, tablet, and/or earphones to listen to during the procedure.

As this procedure is performed with topical anesthesia, you may drive to and from our practice

Once the treatment is complete, we will apply a topical healing ointment (Alastin Nectar).

If you use Pro-nox, we will monitor you for 15-20 minutes after procedure is completed.

What to expect

Minimal pinkness/redness may last for up to 1 week.

Superficial bruising may occur, typically around the eyes.

Small needle marks may be present for a few days to a week post-procedure.

After your procedure

2-3 hours (preferably just before bedtime): You may use a gentle cleanser to wash your face.

1 day: You may use a gentle cleanser, serums, light moisturizer, sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), and mineral-based makeup using clean hands/sponges/brushes. We recommend using Alastin Skin Nectar or/and Alastin Hydratint (tinted moisturizing sunscreen SPF 36).

4 days: Avoid taking NSAIDS (Aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.), Vitamin E, Fish oil, Gingko Biloba, Ginseng, and St. John’s Wart to reduce your risk of bruising and swelling.

1 week: You may start using your regular skin care regimen. Using a retinol product is strongly recommended as it will optimize your results.

14 days: Avoid ANY and ALL sun exposure for 14 days post treatment. NO TANNING BEDS/TANS/BURNS/SPRAY TANS!!!