POST PICO LASER TREATMENT:
What To do After your PICO Laser Treatment
24 - 48 hours after:
Avoid Heat and Sweat: This includes direct sunlight, strenuous exercise, steam rooms, saunas, and hot showers.
- Avoid Heavy Makeup: Allow your skin time to breathe and recover. If you have sensitive skin, consider waiting a bit longer. Listen to your skin — healing comes first.
Hygiene: For the first 12 hours after treatment, cleanse the skin using distilled water/saline water only to avoid irritation. After 12 hours, you can use a gentle cleanser. Gently pat dry, do not rub. Always maintain good hygiene to avoid breakouts or infection.
Clothing: If you are treating body area, avoid wearing tight or restrictive garments over the treated area, such as compression leggings, bodysuits, leotards, or similar clothing that may cause friction or occlusion.
1 - 7 days after:
- Keep It Clean: Gently cleanse the skin with a mild cleanser and pat dry softly. Clients with acne-prone skin may incorporate a hypochlorous acid spray during the day, particularly after sweating, to help reduce bacteria and irritation.
Moisturization: Always keep the skin well moisturized. We recommend using gentle, barrier-repair moisturizers such as EltaMD Skin Recovery Night Mask, EltaMD PM Therapy, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, or belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb etc.
- Hydrating sheet masks: We recommend using a gentle, non-irritating hydrating sheet mask every night or every other night during the first week to boost hydration and help enhance overall results.
What to avoid:
Avoid Sun Exposure: Avoid direct sunlight and the use of tanning beds. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher daily. When outdoors, utilize physical protection such as wide-brimmed hats, large sunglasses, and breathable, protective clothing.
Avoid Topical Products: Refrain from applying products that may cause irritation to the treated area. This includes harsh soaps, exfoliating scrubs, products with active ingredients (i.e. salicylic acids, AHA, vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide retinoids, tretinoins etc.) fragranced lotions, essential oils, and chemical peels.
Avoid Mechanical Irritation: Do not scratch, scrub, or shave the treated area until fully healed.
- Avoid skin picking: Some mild breakouts may occur due to increased cell turnover. Let them resolve naturally and avoid picking on the spots to minimize complications.
- Avoid picking on the scabs: If you notice flaking or light scabbing (common with spot or resurfacing treatments), let it heal naturally. Picking can increase the chance of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
What to Except after Laser Hair Removal
Laser Hair Removal is a progressive process that requires a series of sessions, carefully timed to target hair during its active growth phases. Each individual’s response may vary based on skin type, hair density, and other factors.
Successful results rely on consistent treatments and active cooperation between you and your provider. Mutual trust, clear communication, and adherence to recommended care are key to achieving optimal, long-lasting outcomes.
Right After Treatment
72 Hours After
Between 1-4 weeks
Between 3-8 weeks
Results after your each treatment
Hair reduction: You’ll notice a 10–25% reduction in hair growth within a few weeks.
Shedding: Treated hairs may begin to shed or fall out 5–14 days after the session — this is normal and a sign the laser worked.
Smooth skin: Once the shedding phase is over, the skin often feels smoother and softer
How To Take Care The Common Side Effects
Laser/Shaving Bumps - Folliculitis (Red and Swelling Around the Hair Follicles)
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Cold Pack and/or Cold Bath: Apply cold packs to the treated area, ensuring they are wrapped in a barrier such as a towel. Alternate the packs on and off every three to five minutes for a total of one to two hours. If the legs were treated, avoid prolonged standing and keep them elevated as much as possible throughout the day.
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Avoid Heat and Sweat: This includes direct sunlight, strenuous exercise, steam rooms, saunas, and hot showers.
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Hygiene: Maintain the treated area in a clean condition. Refrain from applying makeup or any products that may cause irritation.
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Clothing: Avoid wearing tight or restrictive garments over the treated area, such as compression leggings, bodysuits, leotards, or similar clothing that may cause friction or occlusion.
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Avoid Picking: Keep the treated area protected to prevent damage and reduce the risk of hypo- or hyperpigmentation.
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Over-the-Counter Topicals to Consider: Hydrocortisone 1% mixed with either Aloe Vera gel, Vaseline®, or Aquaphor®, up to three times a day.
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Over-the-Counter Antihistamines: Benadryl®, Allergra®, Claritin®, or other generic antihistamines.
Redness(Erythema) and possible Swelling
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Soothing Gel: Use aloe vera gel or a fragrance-free, calming moisturizer to hydrate and soothe the skin; avoid products with perfume or alcohol.
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Sun Protection: Avoid direct sunlight and apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen daily to prevent dark spots or irritation.
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Avoid Heat and Sweat: This includes direct sunlight, strenuous exercise, steam rooms, saunas, and hot showers.
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Hygiene: Maintain the treated area in a clean condition. Refrain from applying makeup or any products that may cause irritation.
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Clothing: Avoid wearing tight or restrictive garments over the treated area, such as compression leggings, bodysuits, leotards, or similar clothing that may cause friction or occlusion.
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Gentle Care: Do not use scrubs, retinoids, acids, or exfoliating products until the skin is fully healed, usually after 3–5 days.
Over-the-Counter Topicals to Consider: Hydrocortisone 1% mixed with either Aloe Vera gel, Vaseline®, or Aquaphor®, up to three times a day.
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Monitor: Mild redness and swelling typically resolve within 1–2 days; contact your provider if symptoms persist or worsen.
