The purpose of this procedure is to diminish or remove unwanted hair. The procedure requires more than one treatment and may produce permanent hair removal. The total number of treatments will vary between individuals. A minimum of 4-6 treatments is necessary. On occasion there are patients that do not respond to treatment. The hair treated should exfoliate or push out in approximately 2-3 weeks. 

Pre-Treatment:

• Avoid tanning for 4 weeks

• Avoid self tanner for 1 week prior to treatment.

• Avoid bleaching for 15 days prior to treatment

• Avoid waxing, tweezing and depilatory use for one month prior to treatment. If you wish, use other methods that shave but do not tear the hair off.

• Avoid irritants such as products containing glycolic acid or Retin-A in the area for three days prior to treatment.

• No CO2/erbium laser resurfacing in the last 6 months

• No Accutane for 6 months prior to treatment

• If you have cold sores, herpes or zoster, tell us prior to laser treatment. Medications must be prescribed and taken both prior to and following the laser treatment procedure. 

• Shave the desired area the night before laser treatment

• No deodorant, creams, oils, perfumes, etc on the area prior to treatment

• Wear loose, comfortable clothing on the day of treatment, so as not to irritate the treated area.

• Please arrive to the appointment with the area to treat perfectly shaven except the facial area that the operator will shave the same day of treatment.

Post-Treatment:

• The areas treated with laser may be red following treatment. This will generally fade in 2-3 days.

• The treated area can be washed with mild soap and water. Wash the area gently with your fingertips. Use of a washcloth or other abrasive instrument is not recommended for 3 days. 

• Makeup may be used immediately after the treatment unless there is blistering.

• Cover the treated area with SPF 30 or higher and avoid sun exposure to the treated area for 4-6 weeks. No direct sun exposure for 2 weeks. 

• Avoid irritants such as products containing glycolic acid or Retin-A in the area for 5-7 days. 

• No deodorant to the treated area for 48 hours. 

• Minor crusting or scabbing of the treated area can occur following treatment. So not rub or pick the scabs. Wash gently with fingertips and mild soap. Apply an antibacterial ointment to the treated area. Apply 1% hydrocortisone or Aloe Vera to the treated area if redness occurs. 

• Hair remaining in the follicle will extrude typically within 1-2 weeks after treatment. This will look like growth, but is simply the body’s way of eliminating the hair from the injured follicle. On the third day post-treatment you may shave or gently wash the area to help loosen hair that is still embedded in follicles. 

• No exercise until perifollicular edema ( red bumps) resolve 

• No jacuzzi, sauna, steam baths until the skin is back to normal

• At the next visit, it is important to let the practitioner know how long the redness lasted after the treatment and when significant hair growth was noticed in the area.