FIRST 24-72 HOURS (Days 1-3)

What You May Feel

• Redness (“erythema”)

• Raised bumps around follicles (“perifollicular edema”)

• Warmth or mild swelling

• Slight itching or tingling

These are normal responses and usually last from a few hours up to 24–48 hours.

❌ Avoid

• NO hot showers or baths

• NO saunas, steam rooms, jacuzzis

• NO heavy sweating or workouts

• NO deodorant on underarms (for 24 hours)

• NO makeup on treated facial areas for 12–24 hours

• NO tanning, sun exposure, or sunbeds

• NO picking, rubbing, or scratching

• NO fragranced products, AHAs, BHAs, retinoids, benzoyl peroxide

✅ Do

Cool the skin

• Apply cold compresses or an ice pack wrapped in a clean cloth for 10–15 minutes at a time.

• This helps reduce heat and swelling.

Use soothing, non-active skincare

• Recommended types:

  • Aloe vera gel (pure, fragrance-free)

  • 100% aloe vera or post-laser gel

  • Centella asiatica (cica) gel

    Thermal spring water spray (Avene/La Roche-Posay style)

Sun protection

• Use SPF 30–50 daily on exposed areas.

• Absolutely NO sunbathing or intentional tanning.

Wear loose clothing

• Avoid friction on treated areas (especially bikini, underarms, chest).

Keep the area clean

• Use a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water only.

DAY 3–14 (NORMAL HEALING PHASE)

What You May See

• Hairs begin to shed or “fall out” between days 7–14 — this is normal!

• They are not growing, they are being pushed out of the follicle.

• Skin should return to baseline by this point.

❌ Avoid

• Waxing, plucking, threading (removes the follicle and disrupts treatment)

• Harsh scrubs or chemical peels

• Tanning or sun exposure (may cause hyperpigmentation)

✅ Do

Exfoliate gently (starting Day 5–7)

This helps hairs shed more easily.
Use:

• A soft washcloth

• A gentle exfoliating mitt

• Mild exfoliant (NOT acids yet)

Moisturize regularly

• Keeps skin barrier healthy and reduces ingrowns.

Use sunscreen consistently

🕒 AFTER 2 WEEKS

• It’s normal to see small patches of regrowth — these are hairs entering a new growth cycle.

• Shaving is allowed anytime.

• Continue SPF daily.

Sun Care (Very Important)

Cynosure Elite iQ creates heat in the follicle — UV exposure can cause pigmentation changes.

• Daily SPF 30–50

• Reapply every 2 hours when outdoors

• Wear protective clothing

• Avoid sun for 7–10 days post-treatment

Products That Are Safe Immediately After

• Aloe vera (pure)

• Cica creams (Centella) or SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel, or AlumierMD Recovery Balm.

• Thermal spring water spray

• Hyaluronic acid serum -Hydrating B5 gel from SkinCeuticals

• Ceramide moisturizer such as SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore, AlumierMD HydraCalm or Hydra Dew.

• Gentle cleansers such as AlumierMD Sensi Calm or SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser. Those are not foamy.

What NOT to Use for 7 Days

• Retinol

• AHAs/BHAs

• Vitamin C (acid forms)

• Benzoyl peroxide

• Perfumed lotions

• Self-tanner on treated area

• Any hair removal method other than shaving

When to Contact Your Provider

Seek medical attention if you experience:

• Blistering

• Increasing redness after 48 hours

• Pus, yellow crust, or oozing

• Severe swelling or pain

• Darkening/lightening of skin that’s spreading

These can indicate infection or a reaction.