Laser Hair Removal · Safety & Preparation
Before and after your laser hair removal treatment
Learn how to prepare your skin step by step before your visit, which medical or temporary contraindications rule out a session, and how to care for your skin afterwards.
Free Consultation & Laser Patch Test: Before starting your series at Depiclinic, our cosmetologist performs a free consultation and patch test (available in English) to evaluate your skin phototype (Fitzpatrick I–VI) and hair, check for contraindications, and match safe LightSheer Duet parameters.
Before Your Appointment
What to do before laser hair removal — step-by-step timeline
6 months before
Finish oral isotretinoin therapy
Oral retinoid therapy (acne medications such as Roaccutane, Izotek, or Axotret) must be completed at least 6 months before your first laser session.
4 to 6 weeks before
Stop waxing, sugaring, and tweezing
Completely stop all methods that pull hair out by the root (waxing, sugar paste, tweezers, mechanical epilators). For the diode laser to work, the hair bulb must be inside the follicle. Only shaving with a razor is permitted.
Sun protection and no fresh tan
Whether you have a fair complexion or naturally dark skin (phototypes I–VI), the body area scheduled for laser treatment must be protected from direct sun exposure (with clothing and SPF 50+ sunscreen) and sunbeds/self-tanners for at least 4 weeks before your session.
Pause active topical acids and retinoids
Stop using creams, ointments, or serums containing retinol, vitamin A derivatives, or fruit acids (AHA/BHA) on the body area that will be treated.
2 to 3 weeks before
Stop photosensitising herbs and supplements
Discontinue photosensitising herbs and herbal teas — especially St John’s wort (dziurawiec), nettle (pokrzywa), marigold/calendula (nagietek), horsetail (skrzyp polny), field pansy (bratek), chamomile, yarrow, and detox or slimming teas. Also pause beta-carotene supplements and very high doses of vitamin C.
Oral antibiotics and photosensitising medication
Laser hair removal cannot be performed while taking oral antibiotics. You must wait at least 2 weeks (14 days) after taking your final tablet. If you fall ill during your series and are prescribed an antibiotic, simply contact us at least 72 hours in advance and we will reschedule your appointment.
Keep your skin well moisturised
Dry skin is more prone to irritation. Use gentle moisturisers regularly and drink plenty of water in the weeks leading up to your visit. Remember, however, not to apply any cream or oil on the day of your appointment — your skin must be completely clean and dry.
1 week before
No scrubs or exfoliation
Stop using coarse scrubs, enzymatic peels, or exfoliating gloves on the treatment area so your skin barrier remains intact.
2 to 3 days before
Skip the swimming pool and sauna
Avoid chlorinated pools (which can irritate the epidermis) and hot saunas before your session.
No shimmer or glitter body lotions
Do not apply body lotions, oils, or illuminators containing shimmer or glitter particles to the area being treated.
1 day before / On the day of treatment
Shave carefully (wet shaving only)
The day before or the morning of your visit, gently shave the area in the direction of hair growth using a new disposable razor. Always shave wet with a soothing shaving foam or gel to avoid micro-cuts and razor burn. Before your very first appointment, leave a small 1×1 cm patch unshaved so our cosmetologist can assess hair thickness and colour.
Clean, product-free skin
Right before your session, your skin must be washed and completely dry. Do not apply body lotion, oil, antiperspirant/deodorant (when treating underarms), or make-up/SPF (when treating the face).
Numbing cream (if needed)
If you have a very low pain threshold and plan to use a topical numbing cream before your visit, please let us know in advance when booking your appointment.
Safety First
Contraindications to laser hair removal
Before your first session and before every visit, our cosmetologist conducts a health check in English to ensure the treatment is completely safe for you.
Temporary Contraindications
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
We do not perform laser treatments during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. You can start or resume your series once breastfeeding has ended.
Active skin infections
Bacterial, viral (e.g. active cold sores / herpes), or fungal infections in the treatment area. Treatment can take place once the skin has fully healed.
Fresh suntan or self-tanner
Freshly tanned or sunburned skin, or active self-tanning products. Any tan must settle for at least 4 weeks, and the area must be protected from UV rays.
Oral antibiotics
Taking any oral antibiotics rules out the procedure. A minimum break of 2 weeks after the final dose is required.
Photosensitising herbs
St John’s wort, nettle, marigold, horsetail, field pansy, chamomile, yarrow, and detox/slimming teas (stop 2–3 weeks before treatment).
Retinol creams and fruit acids
Topical retinoids, high-concentration vitamin C, and AHA/BHA acids sensitise the skin to light (stop 3–4 weeks beforehand on the treated area).
Recent waxing or epilation
Pulling hair out with wax, sugar paste, tweezers, or an epilator (minimum 4–6 weeks break required so the hair bulb is present).
Oral retinoid therapy
Strong dermatological acne medications (e.g. isotretinoin / Izotek / Roaccutane) require a 6-month break after finishing the course.
Swimming pool and sauna
Chlorinated water and high heat can irritate the epidermis (we recommend a 2–3 day break before your appointment).
Cosmetics with glitter
Lotions, oils, and creams with shimmer or glitter particles in the treatment area (stop 2–3 days before your visit).
Exclusions & Permanent Contraindications
Cancer / oncological conditions
An absolute contraindication to laser therapy treatments.
Photodermatoses
And blistering skin conditions characterised by severe hypersensitivity to light.
Psoriasis and vitiligo
Chronic skin conditions in which thermal stimulation may trigger new lesions (Koebner phenomenon).
Tendency to keloid scarring
A history of abnormal, raised scar tissue formation (keloids) following skin irritation.
Strong tendency to hyperpigmentation
Previously diagnosed severe susceptibility to persistent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Cutis marmorata (livedo reticularis)
Vascular skin disorders that exclude the use of a diode laser on the affected area.
Epilepsy
Relative contraindication due to the risk of light flashes triggering a seizure (requires medical consultation).
Grey, red, and very light blonde hair
Because these hairs lack sufficient melanin (pigment), the diode laser beam cannot heat the follicle and treatment would be ineffective.
Aftercare
How to care for your skin after laser hair removal
For 2–3 days after your session, your skin may be slightly red or show mild perifollicular swelling — this is a normal reaction. Treat it gently:
Gentle cleansing
Wash the treated area with mild, soap-free gels, alcohol-free cleansers, or plain water. Pat dry with a clean towel — do not rub.
Soothing care
If needed, apply a proven soothing cream available at any Polish pharmacy, such as Alantan Plus, Bepanthen, or Panthenol.
Avoid heat and antiperspirants
If your underarms were treated, skip antiperspirant and deodorant for a few days. Avoid hot baths, saunas, intense workouts, and swimming pools until any redness subsides.
Strict sun protection (SPF 50+)
For 4 weeks after your session, strictly avoid sunbathing on the treated area and protect exposed skin daily with SPF 50+ sunscreen.
Shaving only between visits
Between sessions you may shave with a razor whenever needed, but never wax, tweeze, or use an epilator. Gentle exfoliation can be resumed 2 weeks after the session.
Good to Know
Frequently asked questions about preparation
Have questions about medications or preparation?
Not sure if a supplement, cream, or medication you take is compatible with laser hair removal? Call us, message us on WhatsApp in English, or book a free consultation with a patch test.
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