48 hours before your appointment: my short preparation checklist

I like checklists that fit on one phone screen. In the two days before an appointment, perfect client discipline matters less than fresh, accurate information: recent sun exposure, how hair was removed, any irritation and any new medication. A short conversation can change the plan before the client is already on the treatment bed.

Two days before: look at the skin, not just the calendar

Inspect the whole treatment area in normal light. Photograph any fresh tan, redness, scratches, abrasions, inflamed lesions or tenderness for your own record and show the studio in advance. You are not expected to diagnose the skin from a photograph. The aim is simply to notice when it differs from its usual condition.

Think back over sun and sunbed exposure beyond the most recent weekend. Skin tone can change gradually, while the practitioner sees you only on the appointment day. Concealing a tan to keep the booking makes no sense because the decision will still follow an examination and the instructions for the exact device.

• Check skin colour and integrity across the entire area.
• Write down new medications, supplements and topical products.
• Do not remove hair with wax, tweezers or an epilator.
• Confirm the shaving guidance for this specific treatment area with the studio.

The day before: avoid unnecessary experiments

Do not introduce a new acid lotion, scrub or home peel the day before simply to arrive with especially smooth skin. Any visible irritation complicates the assessment. If an active product was prescribed by a doctor, do not stop it on your own. Tell the practitioner its exact name and schedule before the visit.

Shave at the time recommended by the studio and equipment manufacturer. The goal is to remove the long shaft above the skin without leaving a scatter of cuts. A new, sharp razor, calm strokes and avoiding repeated passes over one spot are usually more useful than heroics.

On the appointment day: keep the treatment surface clean

Avoid heavy cream, oil, self-tan, deodorant and make-up on the treatment area. If travelling without a product is uncomfortable, bring it with you and tell the practitioner what you applied. The surface can then be cleaned on site under the approved protocol.

Choose clothing that will not rub the treated area on the journey home. This might mean a loose T-shirt for underarms, soft underwear without a rigid seam for the bikini area or loose trousers for legs. That small choice is often more useful than a bag of random soothing products.

What to report before treatment begins

Report health changes, medications, recent cosmetic procedures, the response after the previous session and any at-home hair removal. Mention a change even when you are unsure whether it matters. The practitioner can check it against the protocol and postpone treatment or request medical assessment if needed.

Preparation ends not with silent agreement on the treatment bed, but with a brief confirmation of the plan: which area will be treated, which sections are excluded and which stop signal you will use. This is not bureaucracy; it is ordinary collaborative practice.