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
What is the recommended pre-treatment instruction for patients regarding sun exposure before a laser hair removal session?
Answer: Avoid sun exposure and tanning for at least 4–6 weeks before treatment
Recent UV exposure increases epidermal melanin, raising the risk of burns and hyperpigmentation; a minimum of 4–6 weeks sun avoidance is the standard pre-treatment protocol.
In the principle of selective photothermolysis, what is the role of the 'chromophore' in laser hair removal?
Answer: It is the target molecule (melanin) that selectively absorbs the laser wavelength to convert light to heat
Melanin acts as the chromophore—the specific absorbing molecule—that captures the laser wavelength and converts the energy into heat to thermally damage the follicle.
Why is it important to document the Fitzpatrick skin type, treatment parameters, and patient response in the patient's chart after every laser hair removal session?
Answer: It establishes a legal and clinical record, enables consistent future treatments, and tracks efficacy and adverse events
Thorough documentation creates a reproducible treatment record that supports safety, legal compliance, clinical continuity, and outcome tracking across multiple sessions.
A patient's hair is coarse and dark, but their skin is also deeply tanned. How should the technician proceed?
Answer: Postpone treatment until the tan fades to minimize the risk of burns and hyperpigmentation
A tan introduces excess epidermal melanin that competes with follicular melanin for laser absorption, significantly increasing burn and hyperpigmentation risk; treatment should be deferred.
What is the typical number of laser hair removal sessions required to achieve long-term significant hair reduction in most body areas?
Answer: 6–8 sessions
Most patients require 6–8 sessions to achieve significant long-term reduction because only hairs in the anagen phase are effectively treated during each session.
When performing laser hair removal on the upper lip, what is the minimum recommended distance the laser handpiece must be kept from the patient's eyes?
Answer: The technician should use an appropriately rated eye shield directly on the closed eyelid when treating near-eye areas
For periorbital or near-eye treatments, internal metal corneal eye shields placed directly on the eye provide the safest protection, since goggles alone may not fully block stray laser light at close range.
Which post-treatment care instruction is most important to provide to a patient after laser hair removal to prevent complications?
Answer: Avoid sun exposure and apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen to the treated area
Post-treatment skin is vulnerable to UV-induced hyperpigmentation and burns; daily broad-spectrum SPF 30+ application and sun avoidance are the most critical aftercare steps.