What should be assessed before performing laser treatment on a patient?

The assessment of a patient's medical history and skin sensitivity is crucial before performing laser treatment. Understanding the patient's medical history helps identify any underlying conditions, allergies, or previous adverse reactions to treatments that could increase the risks associated with laser procedures. Skin sensitivity evaluation is particularly important since individuals can react differently to laser energy; some might have heightened sensitivity that could lead to complications such as burns or hyperpigmentation.

By thoroughly assessing these factors, practitioners can tailor the treatment to the patient’s specific needs, ensuring a safer and more effective outcome. This step is essential for mitigating risks and enhancing overall patient safety during laser therapies. Other factors such as the patient's weight, previous surgeries, or treatment preferences may be relevant in different contexts, but they do not provide the critical safety and suitability insights that medical history and skin sensitivity assessments do.