Laser Genesis in Brookline

• Women who are pregnant should not receive laser treatment. If you are nursing and would like to pursue treatment we ask that you consult your PCP for clearance.
• Avoid direct sun exposure & tanning beds for 2 weeks prior to your appointment.
• Please avoid using self-tanners for 2 weeks prior to your appointment specifically in the area to be treated. If you have used self-tanner outside of the 2-week timeframe, we ask that you please exfoliate the area to ensure no remnants of the product are left in the area to be treated. The self-tanner could compromise your treatment, as the laser cannot distinguish between self-tanner and melanin (a common target for all laser wavelengths); therefore, the laser may not reach its intended target. More importantly, the laser energy could burn the surface of the skin since the laser is targeting the “tanned area” instead of the intended treatment area.
• Your provider can help guide you on your specific products and make recommendations on what to avoid, but as a general rule, active ingredients such as acids (glycolic, salicylic, etc.), retinol products (Rx or over-the-counter), or topical prescriptions, such as antibiotic or steroid creams, should be avoided 7 days prior to your appointment. The exception to this would be if you are using our suggested Environ Vitamin A treatment cream or serum (Youth Essentia A or Skin Essentia A). These products should always be used leading up to your treatment.

• Mild redness and swelling can be expected. This typically subsides within 24 hours.
• Your provider will send you home with SkinCeuticals PhytoCorrective Masque or a calming product that they feel best suits your needs. It’s great to sleep in this mask overnight to further calm your skin and enhance your results!
• It is imperative that patients being treated with Laser Genesis as a therapy to address inflammatory conditions such as rosacea, inflamed acne, and general redness concerns incorporate these calming products into their daily home care routines. Your provider may recommend alternating SkinCeuticals PhytoCorrective Masque and Face Reality Sulfur treatments as masking options. It is the game changer in managing and maintaining your results.
• Avoid strenuous exercise, sweating, and excessive temperatures for 24 hours.
• If you are experiencing sensitivity or a mild/moderate rash-like appearance on your skin, you may apply hydrocortisone or take an oral antihistamine. If symptoms do not improve over a 48-hour period with these interventions, please call us to schedule a follow-up so a provider can make the appropriate recommendations.
• Your provider will make appropriate home care recommendations tailored to your specific plan, but a general rule is to avoid all active ingredients such as acids (glycolic, salicylic, etc.), retinol products (Rx or over-the-counter), or topical prescriptions such as antibiotic or steroid creams until your skin feels “back to normal” or for a minimum of 2 days. The exception to this would be if you are using our suggested Environ Vitamin A treatment cream or serum (Youth Essentia A or Skin Essentia A). These products can be used as early as the following day.

In extremely rare instances, this treatment could result in reduced hair growth. This would only be possible if the hair in the area that is treated is very dark and coarse. If this is a concern for you, please discuss this with your provider, and they can assess and make appropriate recommendations. This does not apply to eyebrows and “peach fuzz”; it applies primarily to areas such as a beard or sideburns where reduced growth may be undesirable.