Laser Hair Removal

We recommend staying out of the sun and tanning beds for 2 weeks prior to treatment. Laser hair removal eliminates unwanted facial and body hair. Traditional hair removal techniques such as shaving, plucking, waxing and depilatory creams provide only temporary relief. The Palomar Icon removes the unwanted hair without damaging structures of the skin. Hair grows in cycles and there is only 1/3 of human hair in the anagen (growth) state at any given time. Therefore, laser hair removal usually requires approximately 5 – 10 treatments at least 4 – 6 weeks apart. 

REMOVING UNWANTED BODY HAIR

Laser hair removal can be performed on almost any area of the body. The areas of the body where we most commonly perform laser hair removal treatments are:

How Laser Hair Removal Works

Laser Hair Removal

We recommend staying out of the sun and tanning beds for 2 weeks prior to treatment. Laser hair removal eliminates unwanted facial and body hair. Traditional hair removal techniques such as shaving, plucking, waxing and depilatory creams provide only temporary relief. The Palomar Icon removes the unwanted hair without damaging structures of the skin. Hair grows in cycles and there is only 1/3 of human hair in the anagen (growth) state at any given time. Therefore, laser hair removal usually requires approximately 5 – 10 treatments at least 4 – 6 weeks apart. 

REMOVING UNWANTED BODY HAIR

Laser hair removal can be performed on almost any area of the body. The areas of the body where we most commonly perform laser hair removal treatments are:

How Laser Hair Removal Works

LASER HAIR REMOVAL PRE- & POST-TREATMENT CARE

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS

• The best way to minimize the risk of side effects is to avoid UV exposure for 7 days pre- and post-treatment. 
• Avoid sunburns and tans for at least 2 weeks prior to treatment. 
• Avoid sunless tanning products for 7 days before treatment. 
• Provide your technician with an accurate and up to date medical history in order to receive safe and effective treatments.
• Side effects are uncommon but may include; Hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin), Hypo-pigmentation (loss of skin pigmentation), mild to moderate burns or blisters, permanent skin discoloration, temporary redness, follicular edema (little pink/red “puffiness and small bumps like “goosebumps”), swelling and itching in the treated area, hives, rashes, bruising, and lack of desired results.
• Clients who are pregnant cannot be treated.
• Technicians cannot treat over tattoos.

PRETREATMENT CARE

• The area to be treated must be clean-shaven. Unshaven clients will be rescheduled. 
• Avoid UV exposure 7 days prior to your treatment. 
• Clients who are sunburned or tanned must wait 2 weeks before being treated to avoid additional skin damage. 
• Avoid sunless tanning products 7 days prior to your treatment. It is recommended that you exfoliate the area to remove any residual color. 
• If applicable, apply numbing cream 30 to 40 minutes prior to your treatment. All products must be completely removed prior to treatment.
• All clients who are treating any part of their face or neck will be required to cleanse their entire face in the clinic before coming to your appointment.
• Avoid chemical peels and other laser procedures in the area to be treated for 2 weeks prior and two weeks after your laser treatment.
• Avoid all alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxyl products (AHA/BHA), hydroquinone, retinol/retinoid, Tazorac, and Differin for 7 days before treatment.
• Clients with any abnormal lesions, moles, or spots on the area to be treated must be cleared by a medical practitioner prior to treatment.
• Clients must stop waxing, tweezing, and chemical epilation 3 weeks prior to treatment.
• If you are prone to cold sores, it is highly recommended to take an anti-viral medication (such as Valtrex) prior to your treatment. All clients with active cold sores will not be treated.
• Clients who have used Accutane or similar products within the last 6 months CANNOT have laser hair removal treatments.
• Clients should not perform any physical activity that increases body temperature or blood pressure within 2 hours before and after treatments.
• You should wait 14 days both before and after injections to receive treatments if you have Botox or dermal fillers in the area to be treated.
• Antibiotics may increase photosensitivity. We recommend that you check with your personal physician prior to receiving laser treatments if you are taking a long-term antibiotic. If you become ill and begin taking an antibiotic, you will need to be off the medication for 7 days before laser treatment.
• Lastly, boots may not be worn immediately after leg treatments. 

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR TREATMENT

• Clients with red, grey or blonde hair in the area to be treated should consult with an Aesthetic Consultant prior to receiving treatments. The laser is less effective on these hair colors. 
• During your treatment, you can expect slight discomfort, similar to a rubber-band snap on your skin. An over the counter numbing cream is available for purchase. Consult your laser technician with questions. 
• During your treatment, you may experience slight redness, bumps, and swelling in the treated area for up to 72 hours. If these conditions persist, topical creams such as Restorative Gel (highest recommended), aloe, calamine, or hydrocortisone may be applied.
• Allow a minimum of 7 to 14 days post-treatment for hair to “fall out” or shed from the skin.
• On average, clients experience up to 30% reduction after each treatment

POST-TREATMENT CARE

• Avoid extended UV exposure for 7 days post-treatment. 
• If blisters occur, do not puncture and if the skin is broken, apply an antibiotic ointment until healed. 
• For post-treatment discomfort, Tylenol is recommended.
• For post-treatment discomfort, over the counter medication is recommended. You may also apply Restorative Gel (highest recommended), cool towels, ice packs, or aloe vera to alleviate discomfort due to heat.
• Avoid using seat warmers immediately after treatment.
• Avoid any additional laser treatments or chemical procedures on the treated area for at least 2 weeks post-treatment or until healing has occurred.
• Using a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 30 or higher is critical when receiving laser treatments and is recommended ongoing for maintenance.
• If you experience any side effects, such as hypo- or hyper-pigmentation, prolonged redness or swelling, a histamine reaction, or blistering, call or come in for instructions on treatment.
• To achieve the best results, complete the full treatment schedule at the intervals recommended by your technician.
• Exfoliate treated areas to minimize the risk of ingrown hairs

LASER HAIR REMOVAL PRE- & POST-TREATMENT CARE

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS

• The best way to minimize the risk of side effects is to avoid UV exposure for 7 days pre- and post-treatment. 
• Avoid sunburns and tans for at least 2 weeks prior to treatment. 
• Avoid sunless tanning products for 7 days before treatment. 
• Provide your technician with an accurate and up to date medical history in order to receive safe and effective treatments.
• Side effects are uncommon but may include; Hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin), Hypo-pigmentation (loss of skin pigmentation), mild to moderate burns or blisters, permanent skin discoloration, temporary redness, follicular edema (little pink/red “puffiness and small bumps like “goosebumps”), swelling and itching in the treated area, hives, rashes, bruising, and lack of desired results.
• Clients who are pregnant cannot be treated.
• Technicians cannot treat over tattoos.

PRETREATMENT CARE

• The area to be treated must be clean-shaven. Unshaven clients will be rescheduled. 
• Avoid UV exposure 7 days prior to your treatment. 
• Clients who are sunburned or tanned must wait 2 weeks before being treated to avoid additional skin damage. 
• Avoid sunless tanning products 7 days prior to your treatment. It is recommended that you exfoliate the area to remove any residual color. 
• If applicable, apply numbing cream 30 to 40 minutes prior to your treatment. All products must be completely removed prior to treatment.
• All clients who are treating any part of their face or neck will be required to cleanse their entire face in the clinic before coming to your appointment.
• Avoid chemical peels and other laser procedures in the area to be treated for 2 weeks prior and two weeks after your laser treatment.
• Avoid all alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxyl products (AHA/BHA), hydroquinone, retinol/retinoid, Tazorac, and Differin for 7 days before treatment.
• Clients with any abnormal lesions, moles, or spots on the area to be treated must be cleared by a medical practitioner prior to treatment.
• Clients must stop waxing, tweezing, and chemical epilation 3 weeks prior to treatment.
• If you are prone to cold sores, it is highly recommended to take an anti-viral medication (such as Valtrex) prior to your treatment. All clients with active cold sores will not be treated.
• Clients who have used Accutane or similar products within the last 6 months CANNOT have laser hair removal treatments.
• Clients should not perform any physical activity that increases body temperature or blood pressure within 2 hours before and after treatments.
• You should wait 14 days both before and after injections to receive treatments if you have Botox or dermal fillers in the area to be treated.
• Antibiotics may increase photosensitivity. We recommend that you check with your personal physician prior to receiving laser treatments if you are taking a long-term antibiotic. If you become ill and begin taking an antibiotic, you will need to be off the medication for 7 days before laser treatment.
• Lastly, boots may not be worn immediately after leg treatments. 

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR TREATMENT

• Clients with red, grey or blonde hair in the area to be treated should consult with an Aesthetic Consultant prior to receiving treatments. The laser is less effective on these hair colors. 
• During your treatment, you can expect slight discomfort, similar to a rubber-band snap on your skin. An over the counter numbing cream is available for purchase. Consult your laser technician with questions. 
• During your treatment, you may experience slight redness, bumps, and swelling in the treated area for up to 72 hours. If these conditions persist, topical creams such as Restorative Gel (highest recommended), aloe, calamine, or hydrocortisone may be applied.
• Allow a minimum of 7 to 14 days post-treatment for hair to “fall out” or shed from the skin.
• On average, clients experience up to 30% reduction after each treatment.

POST-TREATMENT CARE

• Avoid extended UV exposure for 7 days post-treatment. 
• If blisters occur, do not puncture and if the skin is broken, apply an antibiotic ointment until healed. 
• For post-treatment discomfort, Tylenol is recommended.
• For post-treatment discomfort, over the counter medication is recommended. You may also apply Restorative Gel (highest recommended), cool towels, ice packs, or aloe vera to alleviate discomfort due to heat.
• Avoid using seat warmers immediately after treatment.
• Avoid any additional laser treatments or chemical procedures on the treated area for at least 2 weeks post-treatment or until healing has occurred.
• Using a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 30 or higher is critical when receiving laser treatments and is recommended ongoing for maintenance.
• If you experience any side effects, such as hypo- or hyper-pigmentation, prolonged redness or swelling, a histamine reaction, or blistering, call or come in for instructions on treatment.
• To achieve the best results, complete the full treatment schedule at the intervals recommended by your technician.
• Exfoliate treated areas to minimize the risk of ingrown hairs