Laser Contraindications
Laser is a very safe permanent hair reduction treatment with results that last for years and in many cases, are forever. But, as with any treatment, some things may cause side effects (depigmentation, hyperpigmentation, burns, or skin infections) or make your treatments less effective. So to be on the safe side, I advise you the following:
Photosensitizing treatments or products
If you are on Accutane, make sure you are off for approximately 6 months before starting your laser hair removal journey.
If you are on:
Tretinoin
Retinols
Antibiotics
Cortisone
Chemical Peels
Laser Resurfacing
Botox
Fillers
Make sure you are off for approximately 2 weeks before starting your laser hair removal journey.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding I would advise you to postpone your laser hair removal treatments. Even though there is no documented clinical evidence that indicates that laser treatments might cause any problems during pregnancy or breastfeeding, it is important to consider that your hormone levels change and this might cause hair to grow sporadically, making the laser treatments less effective.
Waxing, Threading, or Tweezing.
I advise you to wait 6-8 weeks after waxing, threading, or using an epilator before beginning laser treatment. The diode laser targets the melanin at the root of the hair, so the hair needs to grow back before I can point my laser beam at it.
Tattoos, Skin lessions & Infections
If you have:
Herpes. You must be fully healed and not active before starting laser hair removal treatment.
Lesions. You can still have laser hair removal on healthy skin, but the area(s) with lesions will be avoided.
Skin infections or skin diseases. Please wait until your skin is fully healed.
Tattoos. You can still perform laser hair removal, but the area(s) with the tattoo(s) will be avoided during treatment, as there is a risk of changes in pigmentation and/or burns.
Cancer Treatments
After any cancer treatment, please wait until the skin integrity has improved to its new normal. This could be anything from four weeks to six months or more.
Epilepsy
If you suffer from Light-Induced Epilepsy I will advise you against laser hair removal, unless you have a note authorizing the procedure from your GP. If that is the case and you decide to go ahead, I will provide you with eye protection that blocks out the light to minimize the likelihood of a seizure.
Vitiligo
Unfortunately, Laser hair removal is a strict no in the case of Vitiligo, as it might agitate your condition and make it worse.
Questions?
Please read the FAQs or contact me.
