Treatment Information

What does the treatment include?

Depending on the amount of hair treated, the procedure varies from patient to patient.

Generally, the treatment will include the following:

• Safety eyewear to protect the patient's eyes during the procedure from the intense laser light.
• A small hand piece will be used with a distance gauge that touches the skin to deliver the laser light. A light spray of coolant onto the skin will be felt just before each laser pulse.
• Most patients experience little discomfort at the treatment site because of the dynamic cooling device.
• The degree of discomfort varies with each person, depending on his/her pain threshold. Be sure to discuss this with our physician in advance of the laser treatment.
• The procedure can take as little as five minutes or up to an hour, depending on the area treated. All patients can go home immediately following treatment.
• The treated area may become pink or red within about 30 minutes of treatment; this may last from a few hours to several days.

What precautions should be taken before and after treatment?

• Avoid sun four to six weeks before and after treatment (applies to GentleLASE only).
• Avoid plucking and waxing hair for two to six weeks prior to treatment.
• If you have had a history of perioral herpes, prophylactic antiviral therapy may be prescribed.

Patient Information/Helpful Hints

• Check with your pharmacist to make sure that you are not taking light sensitive prescriptive or non-prescriptive medication (such as antibiotics, St. John’s Wort, Earl Grey tea that contains Oil of Bergamot, Red Bull energy drink, etc.)
• Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled appointment.
• Jewelry, watches or reflective materials should not be worn.
• For body areas such as bikini, back, shoulder, underarms, etc., do not wear dark underwear. Best colors to wear are red or white. Laser energy is absorbed by dark colors.
• You can go home or to work immediately following treatment.