If you’ve scheduled a laser hair removal appointment here at Image Surgical Arts, you’ve already done your research. You know laser hair removal is not a permanent solution that provides 100% removal of all hair, although it can significantly reduce unwanted hair long-term. You’ve confirmed that you’re a good candidate for this procedure, and you’ve chosen an experienced, trustworthy provider — our team at Image Surgical Arts.

You can be confident we will do everything possible to ensure you have a great experience with us and that you get the best possible results, whether this is your first visit or your final treatment session. But remember that you also play an important role in your treatment success. It all begins with preparation.

Here’s what we recommend you do in order to get the most from your laser hair removal experience. Follow these steps before your first treatment and between treatment sessions.

Six Weeks Prior to Treatment

As much as you want to get rid of that itchy, unsightly hair, most removal or reduction methods are counterproductive because they damage or pull out the root, leaving nothing for the laser to target. In order to get the most out of your laser hair removal treatments, please avoid:

• Plucking
• Tweezing
• Waxing
• Depilatory creams

Fortunately, it is ok to shave, as that won’t disturb the hair shaft or follicle.

You should also avoid:

• Tanning or skin tinting products
• Tanning beds
• Sun exposure (always – ALWAYS – use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+)

Laser hair removal is effective only when the laser can distinguish between hair pigment and skin pigment, so you want as much contrast as possible. Deliberately darkening your skin makes it harder for us to achieve a great result for you.

You can think of these steps as “short term pain” to achieve long-term gain. You can do this, it’s only a few weeks!

Several Days Prior

Avoid certain medications such as blood thinners and NSAIDs or pain relievers that can also cause blood thinning. If you aren’t sure about a specific product, just ask us during your consultation. You will also need to avoid skin care products that contain benzoyl peroxide, hydroxyl acids, salicylic acid or retinols because these ingredients can cause photosensitivity in some people.

If you are preparing for laser hair removal for any area on your face, it is important that you do not schedule Botox or dermal filler injections, chemical peels or microdermabrasion within 14 days of your appointment. Once your treatments are complete, you will be able to resume these services, waiting just a little longer for skin treatments – Botox can be resumed immediately.

Take your “before” photos. We might take some, too, with your permission of course, for our own records and because prospective patients always want to see before and after pictures. Taking your own before photos will help you remember what the “old” you looked like and see the improvement as you progress through your treatments toward ultimate results – silky smooth skin.

Day Before

Shave the area to be treated, if you were instructed to do so. This helps the laser zero in on the target follicles rather than surface hair.

Day Of – Start Saying Goodbye to Unwanted Hair!

Do not apply lotion, cream, sunscreen, or perfume. We want you to arrive with bare, clean skin so nothing can interfere with your treatment.

Prepare Mentally, Too

Be proud of yourself for taking action once and for all (well, almost) with laser hair removal! You’ve discussed all your questions and concerns with our Image team. You’re ready, and you’re probably excited. This is a good time to remind yourself that you have to be patient.

Since laser hair removal is a gradual process, it takes hairs a few days to fall out following each treatment session. And you will need 6-8 treatment sessions to achieve optimal results. You will want to avoid re-shaving the treated area for 48 hours after each session, as this encourages the follicles to release their hairs.

So you won’t see instant results, but you will see continual improvement. Let’s do this!