Pre-Treatment Information - Hair Removal

Contraindications

• Pacemaker or internal defibrillator.
• Superficial metal implants in the treatment area.
• Current or history of skin cancer, as well as any other type of cancer, or pre-malignant moles.
• Severe concurrent conditions, such as cardiac disorders.
• Pregnancy and nursing.
• Impaired immune system due to immunosuppressive diseases such as AIDS and HIV, or use of immunosuppressive medications.
• Diseases which may be stimulated by light at the wavelengths used, such as history of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Porphyria, and Epilepsy.
• Patients with history of diseases stimulated by heat, such as recurrent Herpes Simplex in the treatment area, may be treated only following a prophylactic regime.
• Poorly controlled endocrine disorders, such as Diabetes, or PCO for hair removal.
• Any active infection in the treatment area, such as sores, Psoriasis, eczema, and rash.
• History of skin disorders, keloids, abnormal wound healing, as well as very dry and fragile skin.
• History of bleeding coagulopathies, or use of anticoagulants.
• Use of medication and herbs known to induce photosensitivity to light exposure at the wavelengths used, such as Isotretinoin (Accutane) within last 6 months, Tetracyclines, or St. John's Wort within last 2 weeks.
• Facial laser resurfacing and deep chemical peeling within last 3 months, if face is treated.
• Needle epilation, waxing or tweezing within last 6 weeks prior hair removal treatment.
• Tattoo or permanent makeup in the treatment area.
• Excessively tanned skin from sun, sun-beds or tanning creams within last 2 weeks.
• As per the practitioner discretion, refrain from treating any condition which might make it unsafe for the patient.

Note: In case of uncertainty regarding any potential side effects, have the patient consult his/her physician and bring a written consent for treatment.

Possible Side Effects

• Temporary mild discomfort from treatment
• Temporary swelling, redness in treatment area
• Superficial scabbing, crusting or blistering
• Transient or permanent dyschromia following epidermal injury
• Temporary ‘darkening’ of pigmented and vascular lesions before becoming lighter

Pre-Treatment Preparations

• Avoid tanning the area to be treated or use complete sun block (>SPF 30), applied 2-3 times a day for at least 3 weeks prior treatment. Deeply tanned skin should be treated 4-6 weeks after active sun exposure.
• Avoid taking anticoagulants for 10 days before treatment, if medical condition allows.
• Moisturize the skin of the area to be treated a day before treatment.
• Discontinue any irritant topical agents for 2-3 days prior to treatment.
• Arrive to treatment with clean skin. There should be no lotion, make-up, perfume, powder, bath/shower oil present on the skin in the area to be treated.

Pre-Treatment

• To achieve silky smooth, hair free skin with these sessions arrive for treatment with clean skin. There should be no lotions, make-up, perfume, and powder or bath/shower oil present on the skin in the area to be treated.
• Avoid skin irritation or intentional skin tanning. Sunscreen is advisable when outdoors during daylight hours.
• Discontinue plucking, waxing or sugaring for 3-4 weeks prior to treatment. Shaving is allowed
• Discontinue any irritant topical agents (Retinol A or Glycolic) for 3-4 days prior to treatment.
• The area to be treated should be shaved a day or two before treatment. Unshaved hair absorbs optical energy, preventing energy delivery down to the hair follicle.

Treatment Protocol

• The number of required treatment sessions depends on the hair growth cycle, hair color and depth. The average number of sessions for dark and coarse hair under normal hormonal conditions is 3-8. More sessions may be required for light and fine hair and for hormonally controlled areas like the chin. Clients should schedule another treatment session when hair growth is observed.
• Usual intervals for the first three treatment sessions are:
- 4-6 weeks on the face
- 8-10 weeks on the body, increasing intervals as treatments progress. Some areas, like legs and back, may require longer intervals of up to 15 weeks.

Post Treatment Care

• You may resume regular daily activities as usual. Keep clothing from rubbing the treated area.
• The treated hairs can take 7-14 days to exfoliate and may appear to be “growing” after being treated as they move out of the hair follicle. You may continue shaving.
• Keep the area that was treated cool with cool towels or a cold (not frozen) pack immediately following treatments and avoid hot baths or showers.
• Slight redness and follicular edema (swelling) may be present around the hair that has been effectively treated and will subside in a day or two.
• A Sunscreen of at least 30 should be applied to protect the area from sunlight as tanning after treatment may cause hyper pigmentation.
• Apply topical antibiotic ointment for the first two days.
• Care should be taken to prevent trauma to the treated area for the first two days.