For clients with lighter and medium skin tones a patch test is required 24 hours minimum prior to the first treatment. Darker skinned clients with South Asian or African skin types require several weeks to ensure no pigmentation changes occur.
When you attend the clinic for your initial consultation for laser hair removal, you wil
l be required to undergo a ‘patch test’ prior to commencing your laser hair removal treatment. The purpose of the patch test is to determine a safe and effective setting of the laser for your skin and hair type. We will advise you during your patch test how long to wait before undergoing your first laser hair removal treatment to ensure there is no adverse reaction.
A range of settings will be used in the patch test, tailored to your individual skin and hair type, starting at a lower level and gradually increasing until a good clinical endpoint is achieved. We would expect to see slight reddening of the skin, some frazzled and sometimes slight swelling around the hair follicles – giving a goosebumpy appearance. You may be able to feel a slight elastic band like sensation or temporary tingling feeling when the laser is used.
The patch test is only done on a very small area and will normally take only a few minutes. The skin usually recovers very quickly and you should experience no discomfort afterwards. Aloe vera would normally be applied to the skin afterwards to cool the area.
Consultations and patch testing are only carried out by experienced VTCT & Level 4 Advanced Laser Therapist Specialist.
In general it is rare for hyper or hypo pigmentation to occur and generally it's instantly visible - so it's safe to book your fist appointment for the next day, should you have any adverse results your first appointment will not be considered as cancelled and no charge will be incurred.
- There is no need to shave prior to a patch test
- Your patch test will consist of a few shots in the region you require treated
- The aim is to ensure you don't have any rare reaction to laser like hyperpigmentation.
- With Brazilian or Bikini Line we'll conduct the patch test on the upper bikini line so trousers are more convenient than dresses etc
- The patch test takes just 5 minutes
- It's important that you complete your online consultation form to allow us to review prior to you coming or we may not proceed with your appointment.
- You may schedule your first appointment even before you've had your patch test - we'll send you information about how long to book as soon as you make your patch test appointment.
- If you have a pre-paid voucher from an online website we require the code prior to your appointment - don't worry you'll receive an email from us asking for this.
- Please carefully read the emails we send you about the laser hair removal process so we can answer any questions at your face to face consultation.
- Our practitioners are male and female but are particularly sensitive to maintaining your privacy and well used to conducting sessions on more private areas like Brazilian Bikini and nipple hair. We're not in the least shy but are aware you may feel vulnerable - we do our best to make you feel at ease during the process. You may bring a guest to accompany you however they must also wear Laser Safety Glasses in the consultation room.
- You may select either duty therapist or opt for either a male or female therapist for your treatment (patch tests will normally be assigned to the first available therapist though).
Laser Treatments
For most people laser hair removal treatment is generally safe and effective but contraindications also need to be considered when deciding upon laser hair removal treatment; some conditions may be made significantly worse and action may need to be taken prior to the start of treatment course. Your treatment practitioner should be made aware of your medical history and any medications you are currently taking before any treatment takes place. They should take this into account and use their own experience and judgment to make the process as safe as possible for you. Also to be on the safe side you should contact your GP to discuss if any of your medications or m
edical conditions will be worsened by or complicate laser hair removal treatment.
You must tell your practitioner of any recent hair removal such as waxing. This is important because in order to achieve good hair removal results it is essential to have hair follicles. Any recent waxing and plucking of hair can remove the hair follicles and this will prevent you from getting good results from any laser hair removal treatments.
Hirsutism
Hirsutism (the medical term for excessive body hair) can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Such conditions are generally hormone related, e.g. polycystic ovarian syndrome. The first port of call if you have excessive body hair should be to your GP, to discuss the problem and rule out any underlying health problems, which could be causing the problem.
Medical Conditions which are Contraindicative
Some medical conditions must be considered with caution.
- Laser hair removal treatment can cause problems for those with active or chronic herpes simplex viral infections. Your practitioner must know before treatment if you suffer from such an infection. You can be given antiviral medication several days before starting treatment and this will normally continue for up to 1 week. Antiviral medication is particularly important if you suffer from viral lesions on the area you want to have treated.
- Care should also be taken if you suffer from hypertrophic scarring or keloid formation. You practitioner should use their own judgment and advise you as you may have problems with skin healing if the skin is damaged during laser treatment.
- Other conditions which should be approached with caution include psoriasis, bleeding disorders, vitiligo and severe histamine reactions.
- Laser hair removal treatment should not be carried out on skin which is sunburnt, or had surgeries such as laser resurfacing and chemical peels. Please advise your practitioner who will assess if your skin has recovered sufficiently to commence treatment.
- You cannot be treated if you are pregnant.
- You cannot be treated if you are undergoing chemotherapy or have a history of skin cancer.
- You cannot be treated if you have auto immune conditions - Lupus etc or if you are Insulin dependent Diabetic
Medication which is Contraindicative
Certain types of medication can affect laser hair removal treatment and any healing periods afterwards.
- If you are currently taking isotretinoin (or Accutane as it is commercially known), you should stop taking this 6 months before undergoing laser hair removal treatment. This drug can cause skin sensitivity and this is not beneficial in laser hair removal treatment.
- Photosensitising drugs that are activated by ultraviolet A light wavelengths may also contraindicate some laser hair removal treatments. If you are taking such medication it is safer to use laser treatments, which work within the visible and infrared parts of the light spectrum.
- There are a multitude of common drugs, which can also interfere with treatment. Steroids, antibiotics such as tetracyclines and analgesics also common ones like ant-histamines are just some such drugs.
- St Johns Wort
Tattoos
Laser hair removal treatments will not be conducted on any tattoo area.