Before and After Care

Avoid tweezing, waxing, electrolysis, and bleaching of dark hair the six weeks prior to treatment.
You may continue to shave.
You need to avoid sun exposure for at least two weeks prior to all treatments, the longer the better. Also, the use of self-tanning products must be discontinued for one to two weeks, while you exfoliate and allow it to fade. I will not treat reddened skin. If recently tanned areas are treated, you may have hypopigmentation (white spots) or hyperpigmentation (darker areas) and this may not be clear for three months or more.
If you are tan or have a darker skin type the Gentle YAG laser may be recommended.
If you have had a history of perioral herpes, prophylactic antiviral therapy may be started the day before treatment and continued one week after treatment.

Immediately after treatment, there could be erythema (redness) and edema (swelling) at the treatment site, which may last up to three days. The treated area will feel like a sunburn for a few hours after treatment. The application of ice during the first few hours after treatment will reduce the discomfort and swelling that may be experienced.
Antibiotic ointment may be used for a few days, but usually is not necessary. We may recommend only aloe vera gel or ice after treatment. Darker-pigmented people may have more discomfort than lighter-skinned people and may require the aloe vera gel or antibiotic ointment longer.
Makeup may be used immediately after the treatment unless there is epidermal blistering.

Avoid sun exposure to reduce the chance of hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation. Avoid exposure to the sun during the entire treatment process. Use sunscreen (SPF 30 or greater) at all times throughout the course of treatment. Sunscreens with zinc or titanium and with both UVA and UVB protection are recommended.
Avoid picking or scratching the treated skin. Do not use any other hair removal treatment products or similar treatments (waxing, electrolysis or tweezing) that will disturb the hair follicle on the treated area for 4-6 weeks after the laser treatment is performed. Shaving or depilatories may be used.
Anywhere from 5-14 days after the treatment, shedding of the surface hair may occur and this appears as 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 Loofa sponge.
There are no restrictions on bathing except to treat the skin gently, as if you had a sunburn, for the first 24 hours.
Call Jolynn with any questions or concerns you may have after the treatment. Call to schedule your next treatment at the first sign of the return of hair growth. This can mean within 4-6 weeks for the upper body and as long as 2-3 months for the lower body. Hair regrowth occurs at different rates on different areas of the body. New hair growth will not occur for at least three weeks after treatment.