Pre-Treatment Instructions

To ensure that your treatments for Hair Removal using our Lasers are as safe and effective as possible, we ask you to carefully read and follow the following list of instructions.

• Patients should avoid tanning for at least 4-6 weeks prior to laser hair removal.
• Sunscreen is recommended for any treated areas exposed to the sun. Sunscreen should provide a minimum 45 SPF and a high level of UVA protection. Micronized Zinc Oxide (9%) gives the broadest and highest broadband protection.
• Avoid waxing or plucking the targeted area for 4-6 weeks prior to laser treatment. Shaving however, is acceptable.
• Avoid bleaching hair 5-7 days prior to treatment.
• Areas to be treated should be shaved the day before treatment, or early on the day of treatment, and should be free of makeup, lotions, and deodorant.
• Please call us a few days before your appointment if you are taking any medications which were not discussed at the time of your consultation. We will consult the Physician to determine if it is safe to perform treatment as scheduled. Otherwise, we will reschedule your appointment.

Post-Treatment Instructions

• A mild sunburn sensation is expected. This usually lasts 2-24 hours but can persist up to 72 hours.
• Apply cold gel packs or cool, wet cloths to the treated area until symptoms subside. 
• Bath or shower as usual. Treated areas may be temperature sensative. Cool showers or baths may offer relief.
• Apply a mild moisturizer or aloe to re-hydrate the skin.
• Avoid exposing the treated area to the sun, tanning beds, and tanning creams for 2-3 weeks. If sun exposure is unavoidable, use SPF 45. Sun avoidance will decrease the likelihood of skin colour changes.
• Avoid internal and external heat sources for two days (i.e. hot-tubs, saunas, intensive exercise).
• Avoid chemical or mechanical irritation of the treated area (i.e. use of exfoliates, scrub brushes, loofa sponges, chlorinated pools) until the treatment area has returned to its pretreatment condition.
• Do not shave the treated area for 2 – 3 days after treatment and do not tweeze, wax or have electrolysis. 
• An antihistamine may be used if “itching” is experienced after treatment (i.e. Benadryl).
• A mild topical hydrocortisone may be applied to decrease a strong inflammatory response.
• If blisters occur, apply an antibiotic ointment to the area 2 times a day until healed (i.e. Polysporin, Fucidin) and call our office.
• Contact our office if there is any sign of infection in the treatment area (redness, tenderness, pus).
• Treated hairs will shed or be expelled from the follicles 7-14 days following treatment. During the days following treatment it may appear as if the treated hairs are still growing however, they will eventually slip out without resistance.
  
  

If you have any questions or have a side effect that concerns you, please call MD Aesthetics at 905 666 5117 for professional advice.