Questions about laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal at a glance

Laser hair removal is a light-based treatment aimed at hair follicles in areas such as the legs, underarms, bikini line, face or back. It is usually given as a series of sessions, and the number varies. The device and its settings depend on your skin tone and hair color, so a consultation comes first. A licensed provider, or trained staff under rules set by Alaska, looks at your skin and hair and asks about your health and medicines before deciding what is suitable.

What a provider looks at first

Before laser hair removal, a licensed provider usually checks:

• your skin tone, often using a skin type scale
• your hair color and thickness in the area
• recent sun exposure, tanning or self-tanner
• medicines that raise light sensitivity, including some antibiotics and acne medicine by mouth
• pregnancy or breastfeeding
• a history of cold sores, if the face is involved
• tattoos or moles in the area
• hormone-related conditions that affect hair growth

These answers guide device choice, settings and timing.

What to ask the office before you go

Some offices give instructions ahead of a laser consultation, especially if a test patch might happen. It is worth calling or emailing to ask:

• Should I shave the area beforehand, and when?
• Should I avoid waxing, plucking or hair removal cream?
• Should I avoid sun or self-tanner first?
• Do I need to skip lotion or deodorant on the day?
• Will there be a test patch?

Follow the office's own instructions over anything general. Do not stop any prescribed medicine without checking with whoever prescribed it.

Questions about laser hair removal

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