Laser Treatment Pre and Post Care

The right preparation and aftercare can make your treatment safer, more comfortable, and more effective. Review the instructions for your service before your appointment, and contact Old Flame Laser if you have questions.

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Before Your Appointment

Tattoo Removal: To ensure best results, please follow these laser treatment pre-care instructions before your laser tattoo removal appointment.

  • Apply a mineral sunscreen of SPF 30+ daily to exposed treatment areas
  • Avoid direct sun exposure, tanning beds, and self-tanners for at least 2 weeks before treatment
  • Keep the skin healthy, moisturized, and hydrated
  • Avoid waxing, chemical peels, or harsh exfoliation on the treatment area
  • Inform your provider if you have any changes to your health or medications
  • Arrive with clean skin and wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the treatment area

Hair Removal: To ensure best results, please follow these laser treatment pre care instructions before both your laser hair removal appointment.

  • Shave the area 24 hours before your appointment
  • Avoid waxing, tweezing, threading or depilatory creams in between sessions.
  • Avoid excessive sun exposure or tanning
  • Inform your provider of any new medications or changes to health
  • Make sure you are wearing comfortable clothes and nothing that will cause friction to the treated area
    afterwards

Laser Tattoo Removal Post Care

It is normal to experience temporary frosting, redness, swelling, tenderness, and warmth similar to a sunburn sensation. These reactions don’t last and typically improve within several minutes to days. To support a safe and comfortable healing process, please follow these post care instructions:

  • Apply an ice pack following treatment for comfort and to lessen chances of blistering
  • Use only gentle lotions and soaps, and avoid anything harsh, scented or exfoliating
  • Avoid hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, and excessive heat and avoid strenuous exercise and heavy sweating
  • Do not scratch, rub, or pick at the treated skin
  • Avoid direct sun exposure and use a mineral sunscreen of SPF 30+ once the skin has healed
    If you blister, small ones are to be left alone, but anything larger than a pea-size that is gaining pressure and growing should be popped and drained using a sterile needle or lancet, and polysporin applied to the area to promote healing.
  • Contact your medical provider if you experience excessive swelling lasting more than a few days, severe pain, signs of infection, persistent blistering, or any other unusual skin reactions.

Laser Cosmetic Tattoo Removal Post Care

Like regular tattoo removal, it is normal to experience some swelling, redness and tenderness to the area, that will likely resolve within a few hours. Follow the laser treatment post care instructions below for the best healing process.

  • Use an ice pack to alleviate any discomfort
  • Make sure anything put on the skin is gentle and for sensitive skin, stay away from anything harsh with active skincare ingredients such as retinoids and acids
  • Avoid rubbing or picking at the treated area.
  • Avoid sweating, strenuous exercise, saunas, hot tubs, etc.
  • It is safe to apply makeup by the next day as long as the area is feeling better, but please use caution.
  • Stay out of the sun, and wear a hat and a mineral sunscreen for times where you will be exposed

  • During the fading process, it is normal for the tone of the ink to change. Sometimes it may appear darker or pull an orange color, and that will be addressed at the next appointment if that happens. You may notice uneven fading as well, depending on where they were heavier with the hair strokes, and that is also normal.

Laser Hair Removal After Care

  • It is normal to experience mild redness, warmth, swelling, or a sunburn-like sensation in the treated area for several hours to a day after your appointment. These effects are temporary and should gradually improve.
  • Apply an ice pack as needed for comfort, and use an aloe vera gel or a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer. Keep the area clean and wear loose-fitting clothing to minimize any friction.
  • Avoid hot showers and baths, saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, intense exercise or heavy sweating, heating pads or excessive heat exposure, and use lukewarm water when showering.
  • Avoid direct sun exposure for at least 1-2 weeks after treatment, and use a mineral sunscreen of at least a 30 SPF or higher if out in the sun. Do not use tanning beds or self tanner during the healing period.
  • Do not use any retinoids, acids, exfoliating or abrasive products, or strong fragrances or perfumes on the skin while healing. Use only gentle skincare products until the area has fully calmed down.
  • The treated hairs will appear to continue growing before shedding, this is normal and usually occurs within 1-3 weeks. You may shave the area, but will want to avoid any waxing, tweezing, threading or depilatory creams in between treatments.
  • Contact your medical provider if you experience any blistering, severe swelling, persistent pain, excessive skin irritation lasting more than several days, or any signs of infection.