Hair Removal Laser Procedures Flashcards
7 cards from real CLT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Hair Removal Laser Procedures flashcards as text
A patient is taking isotretinoin (Accutane) for acne. What is the standard recommendation regarding laser hair removal?
Answer: Postpone treatment until 6 months after discontinuing isotretinoin
Isotretinoin impairs wound healing and increases scarring risk; the standard guideline is to wait at least 6 months after the patient stops the medication.
What does the term 'spot size' refer to in laser hair removal, and how does increasing it affect penetration depth?
Answer: The diameter of the laser beam; larger spots allow deeper penetration due to reduced scatter
A larger spot size reduces lateral photon scatter, allowing more photons to travel straight down and achieve greater penetration depth into the dermis.
Which of the following best describes 'fluence' in the context of laser hair removal?
Answer: The energy delivered per unit area, expressed in J/cm²
Fluence is the energy density (J/cm²) delivered to the skin surface and is a primary parameter determining treatment efficacy and safety.
During a laser hair removal consultation, a patient reveals they have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). What should the technician communicate?
Answer: Hormonal imbalances from PCOS may cause hair regrowth despite successful treatments, requiring more sessions
PCOS causes androgen-driven hair growth, meaning that even after successful follicle destruction, hormonal stimulation can activate dormant follicles and reduce long-term results.
What is the purpose of performing a test patch before a full laser hair removal treatment?
Answer: To assess the patient's skin reaction, determine safe parameters, and identify adverse response risk
A test patch evaluates how an individual's skin responds to specific laser parameters, helping to identify the safest effective settings before treating a large area.
What side effect is considered NORMAL immediately following a laser hair removal session?
Answer: Perifollicular edema and erythema (redness around hair follicles)
Perifollicular edema and erythema are expected signs of follicular thermal injury indicating successful targeting, and they typically resolve within hours to days.
Why is shaving the treatment area recommended 24–48 hours before a laser hair removal session rather than waxing or plucking?
Answer: Waxing and plucking remove the follicle's pigment from the dermis, eliminating the laser target
Waxing and plucking remove the hair shaft and temporarily clear melanin from the follicle, leaving no chromophore for the laser to target; shaving leaves the follicle intact below the skin.