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CO2 Laser Pre-Treatment Instruction

PRE-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Starting 1 to 2 weeks prior to treatment, increase water intake to 6-8 glasses per day.
  2. Avoid the sun 4-6 weeks before treatment.
  3. Your provider may ask you to stop any topical medications or skin care products 3-5 days prior to treatment.
  4. If you have had a history of perioral herpes simplex virus, your provider may recommend prophylactic antiviral therapy when treating that area. Follow the directions for your particular medication.
  5. If you are tanned or have a darker skin type, a bleaching regimen may be started 4-6 weeks before treatment.
  6. RECENTLY TANNED SKIN CANNOT BE TREATED! If treated within 2 weeks of active (natural sunlight or tanning booth) tanning, you may develop hypopigmentation (white spots) and this may not clear for 2-3 months or more.
  7. The use of self-tanning skin care products must be discontinued one week before treatment. Any residual self-tanner must be removed prior to treatment.
  8. You MUST avoid bleaching, plucking or waxing hair for 4-6 weeks prior to treatment. The melanin-containing hair must be present in the follicle as it is the “target” for the laser light.