What to do Before Treatment
Before committing to Treatment
Before committing to any laser hair removal treatment, it is crucial to gather us much information as possible so that you are in full possession of all the facts. On a practical level this involves assessing your suitability for the procedure; we have a page dedicated to helping you on this issue, and you should also speak with someone at your chosen clinic or spa. See also our descriptions of different lasers and their pros and cons, and do not be shy about asking your chosen spa or clinic the necessary questions. Shop around if possible and ensure the qualifications of those who will carry out the procedure.
Prior to the Procedure
When you have found the right clinic or spa for you, and have committed to laser hair removal, the specialist is likely to ask you to prepare for the procedure a number of weeks before treatment. The specifics of preparation will depend on individual factors like skin type or hair color, plus the laser being used, but you can expect the following:
- No waxing, plucking, tweezing, or electrolysis to be conducted on unwanted hairs for approximately three weeks before treatment,
- Also refrain from bleaching the area to be treated for at least two weeks before your sessions,
- Make sure that your skin is not suntanned, sunburned or otherwise tanned at the time of treatment; preferably a month should elapse without a tan before the laser hair removal takes place,
- Take appropriate medicine to treat cold sores if you are prone to these,
- Stay out of the sun as much as possible in the weeks before treatment,
- Start a bleaching regimen two weeks before the procedure if you have a darker skin tone (speak to a professional for in-depth instructions),
- Shave the area between 24 and 48 hours prior to treatment in order to maximize the effectiveness of the laser - freshly shaved skin with slight regrowth is best,
- Do not apply makeup to the area on the day of treatment.
Some of these guidelines may differ between individuals, and some clinics offer to shave the area for you prior to the procedure.