PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR LASER HAIR REMOVAL PRETREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS 1. Avoid the sun for 4-6 weeks before and after treatment. 2. You MUST avoid bleaching, plucking or waxing hair for 6 weeks prior to treatment. 3. SHAVE THE AREA YOU WANT TREATED THE DAY BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT. 4. If you have had a history of herpes or cold sores in the areas to be treated, antiviral pills may be started the day before treatment and continued one week after treatment. 5. If you are tan or have a darker skin type, a bleaching regimen may be started 4-6 weeks before treatment. INTRAOPERATIVE CARE 1. When treating the upper lip, the teeth are protected with saline-soaked gauze. The gauze also serves to support the lip during treatment, allowing a surface to push against. 2. Pigment cells in the top layers of skin interfere with the laser's ability to reach and destroy the hair follicles. A cooling device is used with the laser to minimize this interference and limit the damage to the top layers of skin. 3. Safety considerations are important during the laser procedure. Protective eye wear is worn by the patient and all personnel in the operative suite during the procedure to reduce the chance of damage to the eye. The treatment area is shaved to reduce the chance of fire which can be initiated if certain anesthetic gels are not removed prior to treatment. POSTOPERATIVE TREATMENT CARE I . Immediately after treatment, there may be redness and swelling at the treatment site, which usually lasts up to 2 hours, but may last up to 2-3 days. The treated area will feel like a sunburn for a few hours after treatment. 2. Antibiotic ointment or aloe vera gel may be used for 3-4 days. Darker pigmented people may have more discomfort than lighter skin people and may require the aloe vera gel or antibiotic ointment for a longer period of time. 3. Makeup may be used immediately after the treatment unless there is blistering. It is recommended to use NEW makeup to reduce the possibility of infection. 4. Avoid sun exposure to reduce the chance of darkening of the treatment area. Use sunscreen at all times through the course of treatment. 5. Avoid picking or scratching the treated skin. Do not use any other hair removal products in this area while having this laser procedure. 6. Call our office with any questions or concerns you may have after the treatment. Call for an appointment to schedule another treatment when the hair starts to regrow (usually about 2-3 months). 7. About 5-7 days after the treatment, shedding of the hair from under the surface of the skin may occur. This is not regrowth of the hair. You can clean this by washing or wiping the area with alcohol. |
| Northridge Dermatology Associates David H. Friedman, M.D. William R. Coleman, M.D. 9535 Reseda Blvd., #304 Northridge, CA 91324 1-818-886-3884 |