What should I do to prepare for a laser treatment?

Some laser questions need answers when you first call the clinic, and some can wait for the consult. Here they are split into those two piles.

Preparation steps come from your provider

Ask the person who will perform your treatment for preparation steps on paper, well ahead of the appointment. A general web page cannot stand in for instructions written for your skin.

Laser questions to settle at the first call

Split your questions into two groups. The first needs an answer when you schedule, and the second can wait until the consult.

Settle these first:

• Which medicines, supplements and skin products you use, and whether any should be paused.
• Any skin condition, past reaction or healing problem you have had after a procedure.
• Whether you are pregnant, could be pregnant, or are nursing.

Ask about these at the consult:

• How to handle sun exposure, tanning and hair or skin products in the days ahead of treatment.
• What to wear and whether to arrive with clean skin.
• What the treated area will look like right after, and how the first days usually go.

Ask the clinic early how its sun rules apply to the laser you are being offered. If your sun habits are the open question, read the statement on the importance of sun protection from the American Academy of Dermatology.

Expected redness versus a laser call

Call the clinic and ask for preparation and aftercare instructions on paper. If you want an example of the questions a patient can take to a laser consult, read the laser hair removal FAQs from the American Academy of Dermatology, even if your treatment is not hair removal.

Ask the clinic in advance which signs after treatment are expected and which should prompt a call. Ask whether redness you were told to expect can wait for a call during office hours. Anything that feels like an emergency means calling emergency services, not waiting for office hours.

When reading and instructions differ

Where something you read differs from your treating clinician's instructions, follow the instructions for your skin and ask why they differ.