1. Remember, the hair will not fall out tonight! … or tomorrow for that matter. It can take up to 3 weeks for the hair to fall away. You can help this process along by gentle use of a wash cloth or loofah sponge 4 – 5 days after treatment.
  2. Immediately following laser treatment you may experience redness or minor swelling of the skin, similar to a mild sunburn. These normal tissue effects are temporary and usually disappear within 24 hours. Cold packs or soothing aloe vera gel may be used to ease any discomfort. Actaminophen (Tylenol), Aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil) may also reduce post treatment discomfort.
  3. A small percentage of individuals will experience blistering or peeling of the skin. This peeling is similar to the effects of sunburn. If the skin blisters, an over-the-counter antibiotic such as Bacitracin or Neosporin may be helpful. Avoid vigorous removal of the peeling skin to reduce the risk of scarring. Please contact our office at the following phone number (757) 483.6550 if you develop any blistering.
  4. Avoid friction in the treated area in order to prevent trauma to the site for the first 2-3 days following treatment. Treat the area gently. Avoid rubbing, scratching, or picking at the treated areas. Avoid very hot showers or baths, soaking in a hot tub, or swimming in a chlorinated pool. Pat the skin dry after bathing or showering.
  5. Avoid direct sun exposure (natural or artificial) for 5-7 days following each treatment. If the sun cannot be avoided, be sure to use a sun block with an SPF of 30 for the face and 15 or higher for the body to provide protection between treatment. Be sure to reapply sun screen frequently as needed.
  6. To prevent skin irritation, avoid applying makeup for 24 hours, if possible .
  7. If the skin is irritated or blistered following treatment, avoid the use of exfoliants, loofah sponges or aggressive scrubbing during the healing phase .
  8. Avoid shaving with a razor for the first 2-3 days after treatment. An electric razor may be used after 24 hours . Avoid waxing, tweezing, bleaching or use of depilatories between treatments .
  9. During the treatment period, sun block should be used whenever the treated area is exposed to the sun . Sun tanning increases the melanin (pigment) in the skin and increases the risk for burns and blistering during treatment