PRE-TREATMENT LASER HAIR REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS

Before your laser hair removal treatment at Coastal Aesthetics, it’s important to follow specific pre-treatment instructions to ensure the best results and a safe experience. Please review the guidelines below to prepare for your session and reach out to us with any questions prior to your appointment.

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A woman looking at her underarm that has hair removed by laser
  • The area to be treated must be cleaned and shaved on the day of treatment (This allows the laser to directly target the hair follicles beneath the skin, maximizing the treatment’s effectiveness by ensuring the laser energy is focused on the pigment within the follicle, rather than being dispersed on the visible hair above the skin’s surface.)
  • Avoid the sun 2 weeks before and after treatment until your healthcare provider allows. Pigmented cells in your skin compete with melanin in your hair.
  • Certain topical medications or skin care products may need to be stopped 3-5 days prior to treatment. Examples include Retin-A, Vitamin C, and Glycolic topicals.
  • You must avoid bleaching, plucking, or waxing hair for 4-6 weeks prior to treatment. The melanin-containing hair must be present in the follicle as it is the “target” for the laser light.
  • Recently tanned skin cannot be treated! If treated within 2 weeks of active (natural sunlight or tanning booth) tanning, you may develop hypopigmentation (white spots) after treatment, and this may not clear for 2-3 months or more.
  • The use of self-tanning skin products must be discontinued one week prior to treatment. Any residual self-tanner should be removed prior to treatment.