The best way to minimize the risk of side effects is to avoid UV exposure for 7 days pre- and post-treatment.
Avoid sunburns and tans for at least 2 weeks prior to treatment.
Avoid sunless tanning products for 7 days before treatment.
Provide your technician with an accurate and up to date medical history in order to receive safe and effective treatments.
Side effects are uncommon but may include; Hyperpigmentation (darkening of skin), Hypopigmentation (loss of skin pigmentation), mild to moderate burns or blisters, permanent skin discoloration, temporary redness, follicular edema (little pink/red “puffiness and small bumps like “goosebumps”), swelling and itching in the treated area, hives, rashes, bruising, and lack of desired results.
Clients who are pregnant cannot be treated.
Technicians cannot treat over tattoos.
If you have epilepsy, we are unable to provide treatment.
PRE-TREATMENT CARE
The area to be treated must be clean-shaven. Unshaven clients will be rescheduled!
Avoid UV exposure 7 days prior to your treatment.
Clients who are sunburned or tanned must wait 2 weeks before being treated to avoid additional skin damage.
Avoid sunless tanning products 7 days prior to your treatment. It is recommended that you exfoliate the area to remove any residual color.
If applicable, apply numbing cream 30 to 40 minutes prior to your treatment. All products must be completely removed prior to treatment.
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 in the clinic.
Avoid chemical peels and other laser procedures in the area to be treated for 2 weeks prior and two weeks after your laser treatment.
Avoid all alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxyl products (AHA/BHA), hydroquinone, retinol/retinoid, Tazorac, and Differin for 7 days before treatment.
Clients with any abnormal lesions, moles or spots on the area to be treated must be cleared by a medical practitioner prior to treatment.
Clients must stop waxing, tweezing and chemical epilation 3 weeks prior to treatment.
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.
Clients who have used Accutane or similar products within the last 6 months CANNOT have laser hair removal treatments.
The client should not perform any physical activity that increases body temperature or blood pressure within 2 hours before and after treatments.
If you have Botox or dermal fillers in the area to be treated, wait 14 days both before and after injection to receive treatments.
Antibiotics may increase photosensitivity. We recommend that you check with your personal physician prior to receiving laser treatments if you are taking a long-term antibiotic. If you become ill and begin taking an antibiotic, you will need to be off the medication for 7 days before laser treatment.
After Treatment
It’s important that you do not pluck or wax any hair on the area that was treated. By doing so, you will disrupt the treatment process which may lead to potential stimulation of the hair follicle, in other words, you could potentially spark regrowth.
Exfoliate the area once any redness subsides, approximately one to two weeks after your laser hair removal appointment.
Avoid extremely hot showers or baths for at least 48 hours after the treatment.
If discolouration/pigmentation occurs to the affected area, apply vitamin E to encourage soothing of the skin.
Avoid direct sunlight for at least two to four weeks after the treatment.
If you have undergone laser hair removal in a facial area, mineral makeup may be applied within the first 48 hours, but other cosmetics should be avoided until the skin has had time to heal.
Keep away from deodorants for at least three days to avoid causing irritation.
Whilst it’s not uncommon to experience itching, it’s important not to scratch the affected area. Scratching or causing a scab to arise may result in scarring.
Give your body 24-48 hours rest from excessive exercise, the gym or the sauna – these can all cause irritation.
Undergoing laser hair removal treatment can be a pleasant experience that delivers a flawless result, but much of this depends on your own ability to provide your skin with essential care. If you’d like to find out more about laser hair removal, our website contains a wealth of information on this procedure.
