Your skin needs to be un-tanned, your hair needs to be un-treated and those with perioral herpes history need to be on antiviral treatment.  

In preparation for each treatment, it is important that you follow a few simple instructions to ensure you have the best results. Avoid sun exposure, tanning salons, and tanning creams. The risk of skin complications increases if you have had a change in skin color, a sunburn, or initial sun exposure within 30-60 days of a treatment. If you have been over exposed to the sun or have tanned, your appointment may need to be rescheduled.  Do not pluck, wax, or bleach 15-30 days before treatment. These methods of hair removal take the hair shaft out of the follicle. For the laser treatment to be effective, the hair shaft must remain in the follicle. You may shave between treatments as needed because shaving only removes the hair above the skin and does not affect the follicle.  Shave the area to be treated (except face and neck) 2-5 days before treatment.  If you have had a history of perioral herpes, prophylactic antiviral therapy may be started the day before treatment and continued after treatment. Contact your primary care physician for advice. 

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