Topicals

Topical Anesthetics

EMLA, LMX 4% topical anesthetics that will numb the skin being treated with the laser. A member of the medical staff may prescribe EMLA (with refills) for you. If EMLA is not available, or your insurance plan does not cover the cost of the prescription, you may purchase Ela-Max at your local pharmacy for approximately $60.00-$65.00 a tube.

Application of EMLA and LMX 4% cream

1. Cleanse the area that is to be treated -the skin must be free of all lotions, creams, make-up, and other skin care products.

2. Evenly apply a thick layer of the gel to the treatment area. Do not rub the cream into the skin. It should be applied "like icing on a cake," so that no skin is visible through the cream.

3. Cover the cream entirely with plastic wrap, and leave in place for at least 1 hour, but no more than 1 hour 30 minutes, prior to treatment.

4. Try to move the area as little as possible -- this prevents the cream from becoming too thin in areas where the plastic wrap is too tight to the body.

Medication Use During Laser Permanent Hair Reduction Treatment

There are certain topical and oral medications that may make the skin much more sensitive to light, and therefore, more sensitive to our LightSheer laser as well. In an effort to keep any possible side effects to an absolute minimum, we would like to make you, the client, aware of these medications. In addition, for those medications that can be continued during your treatments at Allied Laser, P.C., below are time-tables for stopping and restarting those medications around your laser treatments.

1. Topical Antibiotics (cleocin, tetracycline, erythromycin, sulfa, etc.): These make the skin more sensitive to light. If undergoing laser permanent hair reduction treatment in an area where you are applying these antibiotics, please discontinue their use 3 to 5 days before treatment begins. Start re-application with a small amount, and if this stings or irritates the skin, wait another 24 to 48 hours.

2. Retin A: Use of Retin A or any product containing retinols can make the skin extremely sensitive to the laser. If using Retin A or a retinol containing product, please stop using it approximately 2 weeks before your laser permanent hair reduction treatment.

3. Glycolic, Hydroxy, Salicylic, or any acid products: many over-the-counter and prescription skin care products have on of these acids in them to exfoliate the skin. Please read the labels on your skin care products carefully, and if any of them contain these acids, please stop using them 5 days before your laser permanent hair reduction treatments. As with #'s 1 and 2, this is only necessary if you are using these products on the area that we will be treating at Allied Laser, P.C.. Resume with application to a small area, and if irritating, wait another 2 to 3 days and repeat the process.

4. Oral Antibiotics: please inform us of any antibiotics you are using. Some of them increase sun sensitivity, and if not taking them for a specific infection, it should increase the effectiveness of your treatment and decrease the chance for adverse reactions if you stop taking them for a short period. The big culprits are the oral counterparts to the topicals listed in #1, usually taken for acne. These can be stopped 3 days before and 3 days after your laser permanent hair reduction treatments.

5. Accutane: Clients taking Accutane may not have laser permanent hair reduction treatments, and once the medication is discontinued there is a wait of 6 months before one is eligible for laser permanent hair reduction.

6. Hydroquinone: For some of our clients we prescribe this medication to lighten the skin or make pigmentation more uniform. Many of the formulations containing this bleaching agent also contain glycolic acid, so please, for purposes of use around your laser treatments; follow the directions as with #3 above.

Pre-Treatment Instructions / Post Treatment Instructions

Pre-Treatment Instructions

For 4-6 weeks immediately prior to your treatments please do not wax, tweeze, use depilatories, undergo electrolysis or bleach the hair you are seeking to remove. Once dark hairs are visible, we can do treatment. Please do not shave for 3-6 days before your appointment so pre-treatment pictures may be taken. If a skin-bleaching cream has been recommended for your use, please apply to the area to be treated as directed. Normally, we ask that you apply it 1-2 times a day for 4-6 weeks prior to treatment depending on your skin type or color. Do not apply skin bleaching creams for the 5 days prior to treatment. We may ask that you resume this regime following the treatment as well.

If you have a history of herpes or cold sores in the area to be treated, you will need to take a prescribed anti-viral medication to decrease the risk of an outbreak after the laser treatment. This medication should be started the day before the procedure and continued for 3 to 5 days, depending on the medication. Please notify our office should you develop an outbreak of any kind during treatments. Your treatment may need to be postponed.

Should you desire a topical anesthetic, and we recommend its use, a prescription for one is available. Approximately 1-2 hours prior to the appointment apply this cream to the area to be treated and then cover with a plastic wrap (e.g. Saran Wrap). LMX, an alternative topical anesthetic is also available to purchase at most pharmacies.

Post-Treatment Instructions

You may notice redness or small bumps on your skin after your treatment. This is nothing to worry about and should correct itself in a day or two. If you experience any itching, please use the antihistamine cream (i.e. hydrocortisone 1 % cream or benadryl cream). Itching may occur immediately after treatment or up to approximately 7 days post treatment.

Avoid hot water for 24 hours and all astringents and irritants (glycolics, toners) to the treated area for 3 to 6 days after treatment.

Avoid using deodorant immediately after underarms have been treated. Hair will take several weeks to fallout.

It is recommended that clients have NO EXCESSIVE sun exposure for 2 to 4 weeks post treatment. If you should be exposed to strong sunlight for any length of time during your treatment schedule, use a sunscreen with SPF of at least 30 at all times. Be aware that excessive sun exposure may cause pigmentation changes.