Laser & Pulsed Light Precautions

• History of Basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer. Doctor’s clearance required. 
• Family history of melanoma (RN to assess and treat only) 
• Moles. These will require covering during treatment 
• Use of Saint John’s Wart and KavaKava. Client will need to refrain from taking one week prior to treatment. 
• Topical Vitamin A. High dose formulations need to be stopped one week prior to treatment. Low dose formulations need to be stopped 24 hours prior to treatment.
• Photosensitive medications. Clients taking medications with a low risk of 
  photosensitivity require a test patch.
• Diabetes. Client may be taking photosensitive medication. Diabetic clients with loss of sensation in lower limbs and poor wound healing require a doctor’s sign-off. 
• Recently tanned skin or ‘fake tan’
• Regular use of anti-inflammatory medication. Client will need to stop use of these medications 72 hours prior and post treatment unless prescribed by a doctor. 
• Epilepsy. Requires a doctor’s sign-off.
• Haemophilia. RN to evaluate client prior to treatment and potential risk to client and client may require a doctor’s sign-off. Client must clip own hair prior to treatment.
• Vitiligo. Photorejuvenation is not to be used to decrease pigmented skin. LHR is safe to use for hair removal; settings will need to be adjusted according to client’s multiple Fitzpatricks in treatment area.
• Multiple Sclerosis, Scleroderma, dermatomyositis. If unwell, withhold treatment. If well, doctor’s sign-off.
  

Laser & Pulsed Light Contraindications 

• Pregnancy 
• Isotretinoin/Roaccutane within 6 months. If the client was taking a high dose, they will need to wait 12 months. Test patch required. 
• History of melanoma on any part of the body 
• Treatment over tattooed area
• Treatment over areas that looks like a cancerous lesions or warts 
• Herpes or shingles. Clients with a history of herpes in the treatment area are likely to have a reactivation of their herpes post treatment. Clients with this history must have prophylactic antiviral treatment (eg. Valaciclovir) before, during and after the treatment prescribed their GP (recommended duration 1 week before and 1 week 
  after)
• Fungal skin infections. Clients with active disease are at risk for hyperpigmentation. Client to be rescheduled until skin is clear of disease. 
• Medication with high risk of photosensitivity 
• Active, pustular or weeping acne
• Active rosacea in the treatment area
• Facial waxing/ electrolysis in the previous 24 hours 
• Sunburned skin 
• Systemic Lupus erythematous (SLE) 

All Cutera Treatments (Coolview/Dermastat/Genesis) 

• Sun Exposure / Tanning:  May increase risk of side effects and adverse events.  
• Eye Exposure: Protective eyewear (shields) will be provided to you during the treatment.  Failure to wear eye shields during the entire treatment may cause severe and permanent eye damage. 
• Scarring: Scarring is a rare occurrence, but it is a possibility if the skin’s surface is disrupted. To minimize the chances of scarring, it is important that you follow all post-treatment instructions provided by your treatment provider.  
• Infection: Infection is a rare possibility whenever the skin surface is disrupted, though proper wound care should prevent this. If signs of infection develop, such as pain, heat or surrounding redness, please call our office.  

Vascular/Pigmented Lesions (Coolview/Dermastat)  

• Sensation: Some discomfort may be experienced during treatment. Pain may include the feeling of burning, stinging and radiating pain. 
• Redness/Swelling: Short term redness (erythema) is common and swelling (oedema) of the treated area may occur. An urticarial (hive-like) reaction may occur with smaller vessels. 
• Purpura/Bruising: Purpura (bruising) is a transient phenomenon that usually resolves with time.  
• Hemosiderin Staining: (iron leaking into tissue from blood breakdown) may occur and usually resolves over time, but it may be permanent.   
• Skin Colour Changes: During the healing process, there is a slight possibility that the treated area may become either lighter (hypopigmentation) or darker (hyperpigmentation) in color compared to the surrounding skin.  This is usually temporary, but, on a rare occasion, it may be permanent. 
• Epidermal Crusting: Pigmented lesions may crust as part of the healing process. Epidermal crusting may develop over vascular lesions.  It is important not to disturb the crusts. May require medication if sensitivity or redness occurs. Crusts will typically slough 7 to 14 days after treatment.  
• Wounds: Treatment can result in burning, blistering or bleeding of the treated areas. If any of these occur, please call the clinic. 
• Textural Changes/Cutaneous Indentations: May occur as a result of heat diffusion and thermal injury to tissue surrounding vessels.   
• Hair Reduction: Hair reduction may occur at treatment sites. This is usually temporary but may be permanent.  

 Laser Genesis/Green Genesis  

• Sensation: A slight warming sensation may be experienced during treatment.  
• Redness/Oedema/Bruising: Short term redness (erythema) or swelling (edema) of the treated area is common and may occur. There also may be some bruising.  
• Skin colour changes: During the healing process, there is a possibility that the treated area may become either lighter (hypopigmentation) or darker (hyperpigmentation) in color compared to the surrounding skin.  This is usually temporary, but, on a rare occasion, it may be permanent.  
• Itching/Dry Skin: Treatment may results in itching and/or dry skin.   
• Red Rash/Bumps: Red rash/bumps may appear after treatment.  This resolves with time. 

1. Referral Clinic

2. Primary Skin Concern (share all that apply):

• Dyschromia/Sun Damage/Pigmentation
• Pigmentation/Spot Treatment
• Poikilderma
• Rosacea
• Facial Telangiectasia
• Facial Spider Veins 
• Legs/Body Spider Veins
• Diffused Redness 
• Cherry Angiomas
• Acne
• Red Scars/PIE Acne Scars 
• Port Wine Stain – will require a patch test 6 weeks ahead of treatment
• Skin Tags
• Sebaceous Hyperplasia
• Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra (DPN) 
• Bruising