Before and after your treatment
What to do in the days before your appointment, and how to care for your skin after laser hair removal. Choose your treatment:
Laser hair removal
We don't treat during pregnancy. Treatment can start or resume 3 to 4 months after giving birth, and while you are breastfeeding we don't treat the breast or areola.
2 weeks before
- Stay out of the sun, with no tanning beds or self-tanner.
- Don't wax, thread or tweeze the area: the hair root has to stay in for the laser to reach it.
- If the area is exposed, use SPF 30+ sunscreen every day.
1 week before
- No chemical peels, exfoliating acids or harsh skin treatments on the area.
- Stop retinol and exfoliants near the area.
On the day
- Come with clean skin: no makeup, cream, deodorant or other products on the area.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothes, so nothing rubs the area afterwards.
After your session
- Mild redness for 4 to 6 hours is normal.
- Keep the area out of the sun and away from heat.
- Brown spots may darken or crust lightly for a few days. Leave them be: don't rub, pick or wipe the area.
- Some people have itching or small bumps, which go within 1 to 2 days.
Morpheus8
1 week before
- No waxing, threading, electrolysis, aggressive facials or chemical peels.
- No blood-thinning medication such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen or meloxicam, unless your doctor prescribed it.
- Avoid long hours in the sun. If you have to be out in it, use a zinc oxide sunscreen, SPF 30+, every day.
48 hours before
- Stop retinol, tretinoin, exfoliating acids and harsh skincare.
24 hours before
- No alcohol, so there is less bruising and inflammation.
LaseMD Ultra
1 to 2 weeks before
- Stay out of the sun, with no tanning beds or self-tanner.
- Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ every day on exposed skin.
- No waxing, threading, depilatory cream or aggressive facials on the area.
5 to 7 days before
- Stop retinol, tretinoin, exfoliating acids (AHA and BHA), benzoyl peroxide and harsh skincare.
- No chemical peels or other resurfacing treatments.
48 hours before
- No alcohol, so there is less inflammation.
- Keep your skincare simple: a gentle cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen.
On the day
- Come with clean skin: no makeup, lotion, perfume or sunscreen on the area.
- Tell us if you have an active cold sore, a rash or an infection, or have had a recent procedure.
Microneedling
1 week before
- Stay out of the sun, with no tanning beds or self-tanner.
- Stop waxing, threading, depilatory cream and aggressive facials on the area.
- No blood-thinning medication or supplements, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil or vitamin E, if it is medically safe to stop them.
3 to 5 days before
- Stop retinol, tretinoin, exfoliating acids (AHA and BHA), benzoyl peroxide and strong active skincare.
- No chemical peels or resurfacing treatments.
48 hours before
- No alcohol, so there is less inflammation and bruising.
- Keep your skincare simple: a gentle cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen.
Facials
5 to 7 days before
- Stop retinol, tretinoin, exfoliating acids (AHA and BHA), benzoyl peroxide and strong active skincare.
- No waxing, threading or depilatory cream on the area.
- Avoid too much sun, and tanning.
3 days before
- Keep your skincare gentle: cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen only.
- No chemical exfoliation or at-home peels.
On the day
- Come with clean skin: no makeup, lotion or perfume on the area.
- Tell us if you have active acne, a cold sore, a rash or irritated skin, a recent procedure or sunburn, or if you are pregnant or take medication that makes your skin more sensitive.