pre treatment instructions
Please review the following guidelines for your treatment. Feel free to call if you have any questions or concerns regarding your procedure.
- Your practitioner may prescribe a bleaching cream and a retinoid combination to precondition your skin two to six weeks prior to treatment. This will speed and improve your healing process.
- No chemical peels, enzyme exfoliations, scrubs, or microdermabrasion procedures within four weeks of your treatment.
- Stop retinoids or any other products that cause redness and irritation five days prior to your treatment.
- No sun exposure four to six weeks prior to treatment. This is defined as any outdoor exposure that may change the color of your skin, either red or tan, despite the use of proper sunblock. Sun exposure within this time frame can cause permanent skin discoloration problems. Your practitioner may cancel your treatment if you have had sun exposure in order to avoid problems with your recovery and overall result.
- If you have cystic acne or other active skin conditions or infections on the day of your treatment, if may be postponed until the condition resolves.
- Please inform your practitioner if you have a history of cold sores of fever blisters. If you do, an antiviral medication will be prescribed to decrease the possibility of a breakout after your procedure.
Post treatment instructions
If you’ve just received non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing, please read the following post care instructions carefully and follow them closely. Please call your clinic or (855) 383-7546 if you have any questions or concerns.
DAY OF TREATMENT
Immediately following treatment, the skin will feel quite hot. Cooling measures for comfort will be administered by your practitioner as well as moisturizer and sunblock applied. After it cools, it will feel like a sunburn for a few hours.
AFTER THE TREATMENT
During the healing process (5-7 days), NO ACTIVE PRODUCTS should be used on the skin as they may cause irritation to the treated area. This includes all of the following: any form of retinol, hydroquinone, salicylic/glycolic/lactic acid, vitamin C, or Benzoyl Peroxide.
Do not use anything abrasive, like a washcloth or Clarisonic brush, during the healing process, as premature removal of dead skin may compromise overall results.
- DAY 1: Skin may still appear red to brown, and swelling may remain around the eyes and mouth. Small brown scabs may begin forming, which may give the skin a “tan” appearance. Wash with a gentle cleanser twice a day; apply gentle moisturizer as needed, and a physical SPF of at least 30. Makeup can be used if desired.
- DAY 2: Skin will appear darker as dead skin (i.e. coffee grounds) is forming. Skin might feel rough. Continue with a gentle wash twice daily, moisturizer as needed, and sunblock daily. Makeup can be used as desired.
Your provider may have you return for a follow-up appointment on day 2 or 3 so that your practitioner can monitor the healing process and answer questions as they arise.
- DAY 3: Skin will begin to peel as dead skin (i.e. coffee grounds) is lifting. Avoid scrubbing or picking dry skin as it may result in irritation and compromise the overall result. Continue with a gentle cleanser twice daily, moisturizer as needed, and daily sunblock. Makeup can be used if desired.
- DAY 4: Skin will still appear dry, and peeling will be prominent. Avoid picking and scrubbing. Continue with gentle cleanser twice daily, moisturize as needed and sunblock.
- DAY 5: Skin will be mostly cleared of peeled skin with small amounts remaining on periphery of treatment areas (i.e. forehead, neck etc.) Continue with washing twice daily, moisturizer, and sunblock. Makeup can be worn.
- DAY 6/7: Skin peeling will be completely resolved. Skin will feel softer, yet sensitive to sunlight. It’s important to continue with sunblock daily, and you may resume active products, if cleared by your practitioner. (i.e. retinols, AHA’s, vitamin c etc.)
NOTE: The healing process may take longer, as much as up to two weeks on non-facial treatment areas (i.e. legs, arms, chest). In some cases, “coffee grounds” may last up to two weeks.
Please do not hesitate to call our office at 855.383.7546 if you have any questions or concerns about your treatment.
After hours, if you have an urgent situation that you feel cannot wait until the next business day please call 800.313.6757 and follow the prompts to page the on-call provider.