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 develops hyperpigmentation in the treated area two weeks after laser hair removal. Which skin type and contributing factor most commonly leads to this complication?
Answer: Fitzpatrick III–VI with excessive sun exposure post-treatment
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is most common in darker skin types and is worsened by UV exposure that stimulates melanin production in already-irritated skin.
What does the Fitzpatrick skin typing scale primarily classify?
Answer: The skin's response to ultraviolet radiation based on pigmentation and burn/tan history
The Fitzpatrick scale classifies skin types I through VI based on pigmentation and historical response to UV exposure, guiding safe laser parameter selection.
When treating light-colored (blonde, gray, or red) hair with laser, why is efficacy significantly reduced?
Answer: Light hair contains little to no eumelanin, the primary chromophore targeted by hair removal lasers
Hair removal lasers target eumelanin (dark pigment); blonde, gray, and red hairs have minimal eumelanin, providing insufficient chromophore absorption for effective follicular destruction.
What is the function of the Zimmer Cryo cooling device used alongside laser hair removal systems?
Answer: It blows chilled air onto the skin surface before, during, and after laser pulses to protect the epidermis
The Zimmer Cryo device provides forced cold air cooling to the skin surface, reducing epidermal temperature and patient discomfort without interfering with laser delivery.
A technician is treating a patient's bikini line and notices the patient has a tattoo in the treatment area. What is the correct course of action?
Answer: Avoid treating directly over the tattoo, as laser energy can cause burns or ink fragmentation
Tattoo pigments strongly absorb laser energy, which can cause burns, blistering, scarring, or paradoxical darkening; the tattooed area must be avoided during treatment.
Which of the following best describes 'paradoxical hypertrichosis' as a potential complication of laser hair removal?
Answer: Stimulation of increased hair growth in areas adjacent to or within the treated zone
Paradoxical hypertrichosis is an uncommon complication where subtherapeutic laser energy stimulates rather than destroys hair follicles, causing increased hair growth in or near the treated area.
What eye protection is required for BOTH the patient and the laser technician during a laser hair removal session?
Answer: Wavelength-specific optical density (OD) rated safety goggles appropriate for the laser being used
Both the patient and operator must wear optical density-rated goggles matched to the specific wavelength of the laser in use to prevent serious retinal injury.