What to Do Before Every Laser Treatment

A complete pre-treatment checklist covering sun avoidance, active ingredients to pause, shaving protocols, and what to tell your provider on day one.

What happens in the 2–4 weeks before your laser appointment matters as much as the treatment itself. Providers who skip the pre-care conversation are setting their clients up for suboptimal results — and in some cases, preventable complications. This guide covers everything you need to do, stop, and tell your provider before your first session.

1. Sun Avoidance — Non-Negotiable

This is the most important pre-care requirement, and it's the most frequently ignored. Active sun exposure — including tanning beds — changes how your skin absorbs laser energy. For melanin-rich skin (Fitzpatrick IV–VI), even a mild tan significantly increases the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and burns.

• Avoid direct sun exposure for a minimum of 4 weeks before treatment
• No tanning beds at any point during your treatment series
• Wear SPF 30+ daily on any treatment area exposed to sunlight — even brief outdoor time counts
• If you've had recent sun exposure, tell your provider. They may need to adjust settings or postpone your session

The rule applies year-round. Winter sun still counts. Driving with the windows up still counts. UV exposure accumulates.

2. Active Ingredients to Pause

Certain skincare ingredients sensitize the skin or compromise the skin barrier — making laser treatment riskier and recovery harder. Pause the following before your appointment:

If you're unsure about a specific product or medication, bring it up at your consultation — not the day of your appointment.

3. Shaving Protocols for Laser Hair Removal

If you're coming in for laser hair removal specifically, shaving timing is critical. The laser targets the pigment in the hair follicle — the hair shaft needs to be below the skin surface, not above it.

• Shave the treatment area 24–48 hours before your appointment — not the morning of, and not more than 48 hours before
• Do not wax, thread, or use depilatory creams for at least 4 weeks before treatment. These remove the follicle — there's nothing for the laser to target
• Do not bleach hair in the treatment area. Laser energy targets melanin (pigment), and bleached hair has none
• If you can't shave the area yourself (back, certain body areas), arrive early and we'll assist

4. Day-of Preparation

The morning of your appointment:

• Arrive with clean, product-free skin. No deodorant, lotion, makeup, or perfume on the treatment area
• Avoid caffeine before treatments that involve numbing (it increases sensitivity)
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing to your appointment — especially for body treatments
• Stay hydrated. Well-hydrated skin responds better to laser treatment and recovers faster
• Do not apply numbing cream unless your provider specifically instructed you to and told you which product to use

5. What to Tell Your Provider on Day One

Your first appointment is a clinical conversation, not just a treatment. Your provider needs to know:

• Your complete medication list — prescription and over-the-counter, including supplements
• Any known allergies, including topical anesthetics (lidocaine) and latex
• History of cold sores or HSV — relevant for facial treatments. Prophylactic antivirals may be needed
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding — most laser treatments are contraindicated
• Previous laser treatments and how your skin responded — including any hyperpigmentation or scarring
• Active skin conditions in or near the treatment area (eczema, psoriasis, open wounds, active acne)
• Recent sun exposure — even if you think it was minimal
• Your Fitzpatrick type history — if you've been told before, share it. If not, your provider will assess it