Congrats on your decision to get laser done at Everly Beauty! This article summarizes the things you need to do before, during, and after your laser hair removal session to achieve good results in a safe way. Out of everything, this is the most important piece:
"Clean shave the treatment areas 24 hours before your session!"
With that in mind, let's dive right in:
Pre-Treatment
- Cease all bleaching and hair removal methods on the area(s) being treated, except for shaving
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding are contraindications to LHR under all circumstances
- LHR may be started/resumed after breastfeeding has stopped
- You may not have used Accutane or Immunosuppressants for a minimum of 6 months
- Disclose ANY changes in medical history including medications before every LHR session
- 4 weeks prior:
- No sun exposure and tanning (indoor or outdoor)
- sunless tanners and tanning sprays must be fully removed, at least 2 weeks prior to LHR treatment
- 2 weeks prior:
- No antibiotics
- No Aspirin/blood thinning medication
- No steroids or photo-sensitizing medication
- LHR on the face: no facial treatments such as facials, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion
- No botox or dermal fillers on the area to be treated
- 1 week prior:
- Discontinue use of skincare with active ingredients such as Retin-A, Retinol, AHAs (glycolic, lactic, mandelic, fruit acids) and BHAs (salicylic acid), and Benzoyl Peroxide
- 48 hours prior:
- Avoid iron in any form 65mg and above
- Exfoliate the treatment area
- Shave the area to be treated
Treatment day
- Avoid heavy exercise, hot showers and saunas/steam rooms
- LHR on the face: no makeup or skincare including SPF
- LHR on the underarms: no deodorant
- LHR on the body: no creams, lotions, oils; loose and comfortable clothing is recommended to minimize friction on the skin
During Treatment
- No pets and additional guests, including children will be allowed in the treatment room
- Additional guests over the age of 12 may be permitted to wait in the waiting area; please call us to confirm!
- You must wear the protective eyewear provided to you at all times during the treatment session!
- No jewelry including piercings can be worn near/on the treatment area
- You may be asked to remove certain body jewelry for the duration of your session, or the area will be avoided if jewelry cannot be removed
Post-Treatment
- Redness, bumps, swelling and itching are very common, and tend to last for a few hours
- Do not pick or scratch the area!
- Oral or topical antihistamines, hydrocortisone or Benadryl may be used with your doctor’s approval
- SPF30+ is a MUST for treated areas that are exposed (i.e. face, neck, hands)
- Not using SPF or properly after LHR may cause hyperpigmentation, which can last several months to years
- No sun exposure or tanning (indoor or outdoor) for at least 4 weeks
- sunless tanners and tanning sprays can be applied after 1 week
- Anywhere from 5-30 days after the treatment, shedding of the hair may occur and this may appear as new hair growth; this is not new hair, but dead hair pushing it's way out of the follicle!
- While tempting, please do not remove this hair as it can hinder the progress; let the hair fall out naturally!
- Gentle exfoliation is recommended a minimum of 48 hours post-treatment to speed up this process!
- Immediately post-treatment and for 24 hours:
- Avoid heavy exercise, hot showers and saunas/steam rooms
- Avoid exfoliating the treated area
- LHR on the face: avoid applying any makeup (please ensure your tools are cleaned/sanitized to avoid infection), avoid skincare
- LHR on the underarms: avoid deodorant
- LHR on the body: avoid creams, lotions, oils
- Immediately post-treatment and 2 weeks after:
- LHR on the face: no facial treatments such as facials, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion
- No botox or dermal fillers on the area to be treated
- Hair re-growth occurs at different rates on different areas of the body. You may not see the hair dissipating evenly throughout treatments, but this does not mean the treatment is not working. Please remember laser hair removal is a process and results will be seen over time.
- For any other questions or concerns post-treatment, please call us or your physician’s office
