Pre & Post-Treatment Tips
Essential Guidelines for a Smooth Relax Laser Hair Removal Experience
Before Your Laser Hair Removal Appointment
Prep Your Skin:
- Shave First: Make sure to shave the treatment area about 24 hours before your session.
- Skip the Sun: Avoid sun exposure for 2 weeks before and after your treatment.
- No Recent Tanning: If you’ve recently tanned, wait until your tan fades. Treating tanned skin can cause white spots that may take 2-3 months to clear up.
Self-Tanners & Products:
- Ditch the Self-Tanner: Stop using self-tanning products at least 7 days before your appointment. Make sure any leftover self-tanner is exfoliated off.
- Avoid Harsh Skincare: Skip waxing, plucking, or bleaching hair for 4-6 weeks before your session. Also, stop using any topical medications or sensitizing skin care products 5-7 days prior.
Other Considerations:
- Botox & Fillers: No Botox for at least 7 days before and after your treatment. For dermal fillers, wait 14 days before and after getting them in the treatment area.
- Chemical Peels & Other Procedures: Avoid chemical peels and other laser treatments in the area for 2 weeks before and after.
- Sensitive Skincare Products: Steer clear of AHA/BHA products, hydroquinone, retinols/retinoids, Tazorac, and Differin for at least 5-7 days before your session.
Health & Medications:
- Cold Sores: If you’ve had cold sores or herpes simplex virus, let us know. We might recommend antiviral medication.
- Accutane & Similar Products: If you’ve used Accutane or similar meds in the last 4-6 months, you’ll need to wait before starting laser hair removal. Check with your doctor about any necessary waiting period for other medications like Tetracycline & Doxycycline.
Tattoos:
- Around Tattoos: We can’t treat areas with tattoos, but we can work around them by about 2 inches.
After Your Laser Hair Removal Appointment
Immediately After Treatment:
- You might notice some redness and swelling in the treated area, similar to a mild sunburn. This should ease up within a few minutes to a day, depending on your skin’s sensitivity and hair characteristics.
What to Do:
- Apply a cool compress, ice pack, or soothing product like aloe vera or Aquaphor to help reduce redness and swelling.
- Avoid scratching or picking at the treated area.
Sun Care:
- Stay out of the sun for 7-14 days after treatment. Use SPF 30+ sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
Skin Care:
- Gently exfoliate the treated area to help shed dead hair.
- Avoid hot water for 24-48 hours and excessive sweating for at least 2 hours (24 hours if you have sensitive skin).
- Steer clear of irritants like acids or retinoids until any redness or swelling has gone down (usually about 5 days).
What to Avoid:
- Don’t pick at any crusts or scabs; they should heal within a week.
- Avoid using other hair removal methods like waxing or tweezing for 4-6 weeks after treatment. Shaving is fine between sessions.
- Skip moisturizers for at least 2 hours after treatment and avoid deodorant for 6-12 hours (24 hours if your skin is sensitive).
- Wear loose clothing and treat the skin gently, like you would a sunburn, for the first 24 hours.
