Can oil based products (e.g. shea butter, coconut oil) and products that contain MSM the night before affect laser hair removal?

Question

Laser tech said she couldn't treat my skin bc I used shea butter as a moisturizer the day before and oils can fry the skin. She recommended me wait 3 days to reschedule. My second time going in I tell her I switch to a water-based lotion with MSM in it, and she said that MSM was an antibiotic (it's not) and that she couldn't treat my skin. She now pretty much wants me to not use any moisturizers, except sunblock post treatment. Does this sound right? I'm getting whole body laser hair removal.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

You can use lotions before laser hair removal. Before your treatment, the area will be wiped clean of oils, lotions, and sweat. It will take a series of treatments. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer

Monika Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. There is no issue with using lotions or oils before laser hair removal treatment. Your treating physician should be cleaning the skin prior to treatment and this will removal any residual lotion or oil. I hope this helps.

Laura Riehm, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  It does not sound like your provider is being supervised by a physician and doesn't have much experience.  If there is a physician available, I would ask to speak with them.  Our providers are not allowed to cancel a treatment without speaking to the in house medical director.  Very few cases actually get canceled.  Best of luck.

Kent Holtorf, MD · Answer

There should be no issue with using lotions or oils before a laser hair treatment.  Your doctor or clinician should wipe the skin clean before treating and that will remove any residual lotion.

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Can oil based products (e.g. shea butter, coconut oil) and products that contain MSM the night before affect laser hair removal?

Answers (4)

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