BEFORE
- You will get better results if you have little or no tan – for the best settings to be used to get rid of your hair your skin should be as close to your natural skin colour as possible.
- No waxing or plucking for at least 3 weeks. We need the root to destroy the hair. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to grow out the hair for laser. You can trim or shave in the meantime. No it won’t make it grow in worse- why would I do that to you?
- Have a bit of growth so I can assess the area. On the day of the consultation, I just need enough hair present to determine if you are a good candidate for laser.
- Avoid make-up or deodorant if you can. If you prefer to wear either- no worries, we can just clean the area before treatment.
You can use self tanners, but discontinue for a week before treatment.
If you suffer from cold sores and are having your mouth area treated- you might want to get a prescription for Acyclovir or Zovarix and take as directed by your Physician. Usually it is 2 days before and 3 days after your treatment. It will suppress the possibility of the light from the laser to trigger an outbreak.
If you are worried about the treatment- take whatever you would take for a headache about a half hour prior. Everybody is different. Some people mind the treatment and others don’t. In 8 years of laser I have learned that there is no way to predict how people will do. One thing is always consistent- if you hate the hair- then you do just fine.
Even if you find you mind it a bit during the treatment- you should expect to be very comfortable when you leave the office. And you will come back because you’ll love the results.
DURING THE CONSULTATION
Every new client begins with a consultation, which includes:
- A general overview of what the laser does and doesn’t do; and why it works.
- An assessment of the area you would like treated, during which we will determine if you are a good candidate for the process, possible alternatives to laser, what kind of results you can expect, and the cost of your treatment.
- I’ll address and questions or concerns you might have.
- Possibly do a patch test, at no charge, if there are concerns or you just want to see what it’s like.
With the consultation you have the choice of just collecting information, just having a patch test, or if you are comfortable, and there’s no reason we shouldn’t treat you ( like tanning or plucking) then you can go ahead and have treatment the same appointment.
DURING THE TREATMENT
I will review with you the areas to be treated. If you’d like photos to document your progress they are taken- this is totally up to you.
For some of the more intimate areas, I step out of the room while you change. You only need to remove just enough clothing so I can access the area to be treated, and you are provided with a drape to with which to cover.
Every effort is taken to make you as comfortable as possible. I have treated so many men and women of all different body shapes and sizes. And the one thing that everyone has in common is they have hair they don’t like and they are so happy to get rid of it.
Preparing the area for treatment involves cleaning, outlining with washable marker, and shaving clean any hair growth. Tape is used to ensure no stray hair is left on the treatment area, and an ultrasound jelly is applied.
This complete; you’ll be given the nozzle of the Cryo 5, a cold air machine designed to blow cold air on the skin to soothe and protect it during treatments. You’re in control of it and it’s only function is to make you feel more comfortable and to help your skin feel its best after the treatment. You can adjust and manipulate this throughout treatment to get the maximum benefit from its soothing properties.
Protective glasses are worn by both the client and technician. And goggles cover the eyes during facial treatments Settings on the Lightsheer Diode Laser are chosen based on your skin and hair. The laser has a cool tip that is applied to the skin and a pulse if fired.
I am looking for a certain reaction from the hair and skin—once I see it respond I continue section by section treating a dime sized spot with every beep of the laser, completing an area like the underarm in about 45 seconds. Each area is cleaned and aloe gel applied before moving on to the next. Once your first treatment is complete, we review post care instructions and schedule your next appointment. Generally, clients require 6 visits before reaching a satisfactory level of hair reduction, and appointments are every 6 weeks for the neck and face, 10 weeks for the body.
This schedule should be adhered to as closely as possible to get the best results from each appointment. As you progress through the treatments, I will make adjustments to accommodate reductions in hair re-growth, thickness, and colour.
AFTER
Purchase either Aloe or Vitamin E gel and keep them in your fridge ready to go for after your treatment.
Often these won’t be necessary, but it can be a nice thing to do for your skin. Sometimes the skin can have a bit of a heat feeling that lingers and these will have soothing and calming effect.
Be sure that they do not have added colour. Stay away from the bright green stuff and check that there is no alcohol in the ingredients list- it will sting when applied.
The hairs are going to take some time to shed. Be patient. Each time you treat-they will fall out faster and more easily.
