PRE TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS

 

Contraindications

• Pregnancy

• Breastfeeding

• Antibiotic use within the last 10 days

• Retinol, Retin-A, AHA/BHA, Enzyme use within the last 7 days

• Manual exfoliation within the last 7 days

• Accutane use within the last 6 months

• Active cold sore or fever blister

• Prolonged sun exposure or sun burns within the last 10 days

• Self tanner use within the last 2 weeks

• Skin infection/disease

• Bleeding disorder

• Prone to Keloids

• Seizure disorders triggered by light 

• Open wound in area being treated

• Lupus

• Hypersensitive to light in the 10,600 nm wavelength region 

• Take medication which is known to increase sensitivity to sunlight 

• Systemic autoimmune disease known to cause hypersensitivity to sunlight and to impair wound healing 

• Skin type IV-VI

• Take anticoagulants

• History of poor wound healing 

• History of skin cancer or suspicious lesions (MUST HAVE DR. CLEARANCE)

• History of vascular compromising disease (vein treatment cases) 

• Hair removal - either laser, chemical or waxing within the last six weeks may interfere with the post- treatment healing process.

 

Preparing for your appointment

It is important to follow all instructions as directed by your physician. You will need to get the following supplies for post treatment:

• Moisturizing occlusive ointment per physician’s directive

• Gentle, hypoallergenic skin cleanser per physician’s directive

• Ice/cold packs

• A broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunblock SPF 50 or greater for post treatment.

• Patient prescriptions needed per physician directive, e.g., antiviral. Always take medication as directed by your physician.

• For 2 weeks prior to treatment, avoid sun exposure, as well as tanning beds and tanning creams. Use a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunblock SPF 50 or greater when the treatment area is exposed to the sun. If you are tanned, you may not be treated.

• On the day of treatment it is important that you clean the area to be treated.

• If you are a man and your face and neck are being treated, you should be clean shaven before the procedure.

• On treatment day, you should wear comfortable clothes and shoes. If your face or neck is being treated, wear a button-down shirt.

• You should not wear any watch or any jewelry on treatment day. If you wear contacts, do not wear them on treatment day; bring your eyeglasses instead.

• If you have any questions about these instructions or the procedure, please contact your physician.

• Please arrive with a clean face or arrive 15 minutes early and let the front desk know so they can assist you.

 

POST TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS

It is important to follow your provider’s instructions after treatment. You will have little to no discomfort when these instructions are followed.

 

During the first 24 hours post treatment:

• Use ice/cold packs every two hours for 20 minutes maximum for swelling and discomfort. Cover treated areas with a moisturizing ointment every two hours.

• Keep your head elevated by using two or more pillows when lying down.

 

After the first 24 hours, follow these instructions as directed by your provider:

• You can continue to use ice/cold packs (20 minutes on; then 20 minutes off) as needed for swelling and discomfort.

• Continue taking all medications as directed by your provider

• If necessary, as directed by your provider, take acetaminophen or pain reliever as ordered or recommended

• Your skin may feel sensitive and may have a red, pigmented and swollen appearance depending on the treatment. The treated area may itch.

• Continue to keep treated areas covered with a moisturizing ointment every 3-4 hours. This will decrease the healing time and minimize discomfort such as itching. Periodically lightly spray the treated area with cold water.

• Pain medication may be given, if needed, however discomfort should lessen within 24 hours. If you feel pain 1-2 days after the procedure, call your physician.

• Begin gently cleaning the skin twice a day with a mild, hypoallergenic cleanser. Do not scrub the treated area. Reapply occlusive ointment after each wash.

 

For a few weeks after treatment:

• Avoid sun exposure, as well as tanning beds and tanning creams. 

• Use a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunblock SPF 50 or greater when the treatment area is exposed to the sun. If possible, cover the treated area with clothing or use a brimmed hat to reduce sun exposure.

 

Keep all follow up appointments, so your provider can assess how the treatment is progressing. Always call the clinic promptly if there is any increase in pain or increase in skin redness.

 

Following treatment normal activities may resume per level of comfort. However, no swimming or using hot tubs/whirlpools while redness is present, usually for at least 72 hours. Once you feel comfortable and healed, a normal skin care regime, including makeup or shaving, can be resumed. Be careful water is not too hot when shaving.