LASERS & RADIOFREQUENCY MICRONEEDLING

IPL PRE-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS

·  Prior to the treatment, the treatment area should be free of any makeup, creams, perfumes and lotions. Male patients should shave just prior to treatment (the pigment in your beard could increase discomfort). 

·  Discontinue suntanning, use of tanning beds and any application of sunless tanning products one month before the treatment. 

·  Always use an SPF 30 or greater sunblock on all exposed treatment areas. Wear sun protective hats and clothing. 

·  Discontinue the use of exfoliating creams (retinol/acids) 1 week prior to the entire treatment 

·  If there is a history of herpes outbreaks in the areas being treated, a prescribed medication, like Valtrex is recommended for one week prior to the treatment prior to the treatment to help prevent an outbreak. 

 Please have the following available for aftercare:
- A mild facial cleanser.
- A high quality sunblock SPF 30 (zinc and/or titanium dioxide >10%) 

-  A good moisturizer available for your aftercare. 

·  For discomfort, a pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used. If an open area occurs or if the treatment area is inadvertently picked an antibiotic ointment, such as Bacitracin can also be applied. 

IPL POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS

·  Cool Compress: If you experience any redness or swelling, gently apply a cool (not cold) compress to the treated area to help soothe the skin.

·  Gentle Cleansing: Use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser and lukewarm water to wash the area. Avoid scrubbing.

·  Avoid Direct Sun Exposure: For at least 1–2 weeks after treatment, keep the treated area out of direct sunlight.

·  Sunscreen: When you do go outside, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Reapply frequently, especially if you’re outdoors for extended periods.

·  Protective Clothing: Wear a wide-brimmed hat and other protective clothing when possible.

Skin Care Products

·  Avoid Harsh Ingredients: Do not use products containing retinoids, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or alcohol until your skin has fully healed.

·  Moisturize: Apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated. Your provider may recommend a specific cream or ointment.

·  Makeup: It’s best to avoid applying makeup on the treated area for at least 24 hours to let the skin breathe and heal.

·  Avoid Excessive Heat: Steer clear of hot showers, saunas, steam rooms, or hot tubs for 24 to 48 hours post-treatment as heat can exacerbate redness and swelling.

·  Limit Vigorous Exercise: Avoid strenuous activities that may cause excessive sweating for 24–48 hours, unless otherwise advised by your provider.

·  No Picking or Scratching: If the treated area starts to peel or flake, do not pick at it. Allow any scabs or dry patches to fall off naturally to reduce the risk of scarring or hyperpigmentation.

·  Avoid Exfoliation: Do not use scrubs or other exfoliating treatments until your skin has completely healed.

·  Watch for Signs of Infection: If you notice increasing redness, swelling, pain, or pus, contact your provider immediately.

·  Unusual Reactions: If you experience prolonged discomfort or other adverse effects, seek medical advice.

·  Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can aid your body’s healing process.

·  Healthy Diet: Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals supports overall skin health.

ERBIUM PRE-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS: 

·  Discuss and disclose any healing disorders such as caused by diabetes mellitus, connective tissue disease or radiation/ chemotherapy. 

·  Discuss and disclose if there is an active infection or history of herpes simplex of the lips, mouth or face. 

·  Do not proceed with the Erbium Yag treatment if pregnant or breast feeding. 

·  Discuss and disclose allergies to topical anesthetics, antibiotics, or other medications. 

·  Do not proceed with the treatment if Isotretinoin (Accutane) has been used within the past 12. 

·  Discuss the history of any hypertrophic scarring or keloid formations or other skin diseases. 

ERBIUM POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS:

·  Cooling the Area: Expect some redness, swelling after treatment. To help reduce these effects, gently apply a cool (not ice-cold) compress to the treated area for 10–15 minutes several times a day.

·  Gentle Cleansing: When first cleaning the area (usually a few hours post-treatment or as advised), use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser with lukewarm water. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing the treated skin.

·  Swelling is normal; sleep with your head elevated for 2 days post-treatment. 

·  Discomfort is minimal and should feel like a sunburn for approximately 1-2 hours post-treatment. Cool compresses may be used if necessary.

·  Reapply ointment such as Aquaphor, or other moisturizers provided by your treatment provider, always keeping skin moist. 

·  Do not apply any other skincare products unless instructed by your provider. 

·  Do not scratch or pick at the healing skin.

·  Avoid direct sun exposure.

·  Avoid exercise for 4 days post treatment.

·  Sleep on your back on a clean pillowcase.

·  HYDRATE

CO2 PRE-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS:

· Hydrate for 2 days prior to procedure
· Avoid excessive sun exposure for two weeks prior to treatment
· Avoid drinking alcohol, taking NSAIDS (Aspirin, Aleve, Motrin), or fish oil supplements the day prior to the procedure.
· Bring a hat and sunglasses to the appointment (if treatment involves face).

Post-treatment Day 1-4 

· Swelling is normal; sleep with your head elevated for 2 days post-treatment. 

· Discomfort is minimal and should feel like a sunburn for approximately 1-2 hours post-treatment. Cool compresses may be used if necessary.
· Clean skin with a mild, gentle cleanser such as Cetaphil or Cerave or 8 ounces of water with 1 tsp of white vinegar, or other cleanser provided by your treatment provider.  Gently cleanse and pat dry with a clean, soft washcloth, 2 times per day. 

· Reapply ointment such as Aquaphor, or other moisturizers provided by your treatment provider, always keeping skin moist. 

· Do not apply any other skincare products unless instructed by your provider. 

· Do not scratch or pick at the healing skin.
· Avoid direct sun exposure.
· Avoid exercise for 4 days post treatment.
· Sleep on your back on a clean pillowcase. 

· HYDRATE

Post-treatment Day 5-10 

· Healing varies based on individual treatment. Your skin may be pink at this time. 

· Continue to avoid direct sun exposure for the next 4 weeks, for best results up to 6 months. Skin will be more sensitive to the sun. Wear a Zinc/Titanium Dioxide based sunscreen. 

· Wear a 4-inch brimmed hat and sunglasses whenever possible.

· Discuss with your treatment provider when to resume make-up and exercise. o Dark skin is more prone to hyperpigmentation. Notify your provider as soon as possible if you notice any areas on your skin are beginning to darken. 

RF MICRONEEDLING PRE-TREATMET INSTRUCTIONS:

·  Reveal any medical conditions such as pregnancy, cold sore and fever blister tendencies, any type of allergy, recent facial peels or surgery, and all current medications (including both prescriptions and over-the-counter products) such as Accutane, tetracycline, hormone replacement therapy, or use of Retin-A. 

·  Must quit taking Accutane for 6 months prior to having a PiXel8-RF micro-needing treatment 

·  Let us know if you have an electronic implant (Insulin pump, pacemaker, LVAD, etc) as RF Microneedling is not recommended.

·  Do not use self-tanning lotions or tanning booths two weeks prior to your PiXel8- RF treatment. Do not sunbathe two weeks prior to your appointment. 

·  Do not use any irritating skin care products such as Retin-A or OBAGI for one week prior to treatment. 

·  Avoid taking NSAIDs such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve, aspirin for 1 week prior to scheduled procedure. 

·  Areas of dental crowns, caps, braces, or other metal dental implants may be more sensitive to the treatment and the clinician may use gauze or a tongue depressor to isolate the area to make the treatment more comfortable. 

RF MICRONEEDLING POST-TREATMET INSTRUCTIONS:

·  A certain degree of discomfort, redness, and/or irritation during and after treatment is expected. If any discomfort or irritation persists more than 24-hours, please notify the treatment facility.

·  Tiny scabs (of less than 1 mm in diameter) may form 24-72 hours post treatment and may remain for several days. The scabs should not be touched or scratched (even if they itch) and should be allowed to shed naturally. 

·  During the first two (2) days following treatment, care should be taken to prevent trauma to the treated site: avoid hot baths, massage, irritating skin care products or exfoliants, etc. The skin should be kept clean to avoid contamination or infection; any mechanical or thermal damage to the area must be avoided. 

·  For burning sensation, spritz the treatment area with a diluted vinegar solution (1 tsp white vinegar per 8 ounces water) 

·  It is important to keep your skin moisturized after the treatment. 

·  You may have mild swelling for 1-3 days after your treatment. Patients may apply an icepack (NOT direct ice) to the irritated area for 1-2 days in approximately 15- minute sessions 3-4 times per day. 

·  Redness for 1-3 days is common. After 12-hours post procedure, the patient may apply a hydrocortisone cream 3-4 times per day to reduce redness. 

·  Makeup can be applied 12 hours after treatment. 

·  Avoid prolonged sun exposure or use of tanning bed for at least two weeks after the treatment, as the skin that was treated will be more sensitive to the sun after your Sublative treatment. 

·  Use a minimum of SPF 30 daily to protect your skin after your treatment. 

LASER HAIR REMOVAL PRE-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS:

·  Don't Pluck! Prior to a laser hair removal treatment, abstain from tweezing, waxing, or any other unwanted hair treatment that removes hair from its root. 

·  Don't Tan! You should also avoid sun exposure in the 4-6 weeks prior to your laser hair removal treatment. 

·  Don't Moisturize! Right before your laser hair removal treatment, avoid applying any lotion, sunscreen, perfume, or other similar cosmetics to the surface of your skin. 

·  Shave! Shave 1-3 days before your session. The idea is to have a nice, close shave, so that there is no hair outside the skin. It is best to have just enough hair to be visible so your laser technician knows what is to be treated. 

LASER HAIR REMOVAL POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS:

·  Immediately after treatment, there may be mild redness and swelling at the treatment site, which may last up to 2 hours or longer. The redness may last up to 2-3 days. The treated area may feel like sunburn. Apply ice packs or gel packs (do not apply direct ice) for first few hours after treatment to reduce any discomfort or swelling. If redness or swelling persists, ice packs can be continued. 

·  Makeup may be used immediately after the treatment unless there is blistering. 

·  Avoid sun exposure until skin has returned to its normal baseline (no redness or swelling). 

·  Avoid picking or scratching the treated skin. Do not use any other hair removal treatment products or services (waxing, electrolysis or tweezing) that will disturb the hair follicle in the treatment area. 

·  Wash the treated area and pat dry for 3 days after treatment. Do not scrub.  

·  Start gently scrubbing treated area on the 4th day (ex-foliate). 

·  Anywhere from 5-10 days after the treatment, shedding of the surface hair may occur and this appears as new hair growth. This is not new hair growth, it is the shaft that was below the skin and is being expelled. It may take 7-10 days for the shafts to be fully expelled. 

·  There are no restrictions on bathing except to treat the skin gently, as if you had sunburn, for the first 24 hours. 

At the next visit, it is important to let the practitioner know how long the redness lasted after treatment and when significant hair growth was noticed in the area. This info will allow the practitioner to individualize treatments to achieve the desired results. 

VASCULAR LASER PRE-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS:

·  Discontinue medications or supplements that may thin your blood one week prior to vein treatments to minimize bruising and improve the success of your treatment. This includes fish oil, flax seed oil, Vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, anti- inflammatory medications (ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve), and red wine. **If you are taking aspirin electively and not upon the advice of your physician, then you may stop it for 48 hours prior to your treatment. Do not stop aspirin if prescribed or recommended by your physician**

·  Discuss and disclose any healing disorders such as caused by diabetes mellitus, connective tissue disease or radiation/ chemotherapy.

·  Discuss and disclose if there is an active infection or history of herpes simplex of the lips, mouth or face.

·  Do not proceed with the treatment if Isotretinoin (Accutane) has been used within the past 12.

·  Discuss the history of any hypertrophic scarring or keloid formations or other skin diseases.

·   You may wish to bring a pair of shorts to wear during your treatment if you are having your legs treated. 

·  If veins are being treated, there may be minor bruising and/or swelling following treatment.

·  Plan treatments allowing for a period of no sun exposure, vigorous activity or use of hot tubs, saunas or spas for 48 hours after treatment. 

VASCULAR LASER POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS:

·  Cooling the Area: Expect some redness, swelling, or mild bruising immediately after treatment. To help reduce these effects, gently apply a cool (not ice-cold) compress to the treated area for 10–15 minutes several times a day.

·  Gentle Cleansing: When first cleaning the area (usually a few hours post-treatment or as advised), use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser with lukewarm water. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing the treated skin.

·  Moisturization: Apply a gentle, non-irritating moisturizer as recommended by your provider. Keeping the skin hydrated can help alleviate dryness and support the healing process.

·  Avoid Harsh Products: Refrain from using exfoliating agents, products containing retinoids, glycolic acid, or alcohol on the treated area until the skin has fully recovered.

·  Minimize Sun Exposure: The skin is more sensitive to ultraviolet rays following treatment. Avoid direct sunlight for at least 1–2 weeks.

·  Use Sunscreen: If you must be outdoors, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Reapply frequently, especially if you are outside for prolonged periods.

·  Protective Clothing: Wear a hat or other protective clothing to shield the treated area from the sun.

·  Avoid Excessive Heat: For the first 48 hours, avoid hot showers, saunas, steam rooms, or hot tubs, as excessive heat can increase swelling and irritation.

·  Limit Physical Activity: Avoid strenuous exercise or activities that cause excessive sweating during the initial healing phase, unless your provider advises otherwise.

·  Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help manage any discomfort. Use them as directed by your provider.

·  Monitor for Adverse Reactions: Mild redness and swelling are normal, but if you experience increased pain, signs of infection (such as significant warmth, pus, or spreading redness), or any unexpected changes, contact your provider promptly

TATTOO REMOVAL PRE-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS:

·  Avoid sun exposure including tanning beds for 2 weeks prior and 2 weeks after the treatment. 

·  Avoid pain medication such as Motrin, Aleve and aspirin 3 to 7 days prior to the treatment. 

·  A cold compress can be applied for 10-15 minutes prior to the treatment.

TATTOO REMOVAL POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS:

· Cool Compress: Right after treatment, the area may be red, swollen, or tender. Gently apply a clean, cool (not cold) compress for 10–15 minutes to help reduce discomfort and inflammation.

· Initial Cleaning: After the treatment, wait a few hours (or as advised by your provider) before gently cleansing the area with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser and lukewarm water.

· Ointments or Creams: Your provider may recommend applying a thin layer of a prescribed ointment (such as an antibiotic ointment or a healing cream) to the treated area. Follow their instructions on frequency and duration of use.

· Moisturizing: Keeping the skin moisturized can aid in healing. Use a gentle, non-comedogenic moisturizer once the initial healing phase is over.

· Covering the Area: If advised, cover the treated area with a sterile bandage or dressing for the first 24–48 hours to protect it from contaminants and reduce the risk of infection.

· Avoid Friction: Try to minimize rubbing or friction on the treated area. Wear loose-fitting clothing if the treatment is on an area prone to friction.

· Avoid Direct Sun Exposure: Keep the treated area out of direct sunlight until it has fully healed, which can take several days to a couple of weeks.

· Sunscreen: Once the skin has healed enough for exposure, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to prevent hyperpigmentation and further skin damage. Consider covering the area with clothing when possible.

· Keep It Clean: Gently wash the area as instructed, but avoid over-washing or scrubbing. Pat the area dry with a clean towel—do not rub.

· Avoid Immersion: For the first few days, avoid soaking the treated area in water (such as baths, swimming pools, or hot tubs) to minimize the risk of infection.

· Physical Activity: Limit activities that cause excessive sweating for the first 24–48 hours, as sweat can irritate the healing skin.

· Do Not Pick or Scratch: As the skin heals, you might notice scabs or peeling. Do not pick, scratch, or peel these areas to prevent scarring or infection.

· Avoid Harsh Products: Refrain from using exfoliating products, retinoids, or any harsh chemicals on the treated area until it has fully healed.

· Pain Relief: If you experience discomfort, consider over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, following the recommended dosage.

· Monitor for Signs of Infection: Watch for increased redness, swelling, warmth, pain, or any discharge. If you notice any of these signs, contact your provider promptly.