Pre-Treatment Instructions: No sun exposure 1 month prior to or following treatment. Discontinue any retinoid products 5 days prior to and following treatment. Arrive clean faced without make-up, moisturizers or lotions. Shave the area if there is hair. If you have a beard, trim to what would be equivalent to a “2 day shadow.” 

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After treatment, you will experience redness, swelling or, after a few days, a bronzed appearance. Most swelling will be noticeable on the first morning after treatment. Swelling usually lasts two to three days. To minimize swelling, apply cold compresses to the area for 10 minutes of every hour on the day of treatment until bedtime, and sleep with head elevated on pillows the first few nights. 

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Tylenol may be taken for discomfort. 

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Your skin may feel dry, peel, or flake. You may notice a “sandpaper” texture a few days after treatment. This is the treated tissue working its way out of your body as new fresh skin is regenerated.

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Immediately after treatment, use a bland moisturizer like Aquaphor or Cetaphil cream. Use of cold compresses or cold (not frozen) gel packs helps alleviate the heat sensation. 

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Do not wear make-up for 2 days after treatment. Continue gentle cleansing and moisturizing over the next few days. Once dry skin starts to flake off, please allow your skin to heal and do not scrub or use exfoliants. 

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Keep treated area clean; avoid smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive exercise, perspiring, swimming, yoga or exposing skin to heat and sun for the first week post-treatment. 

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Do not use products that will cause irritation for a minimum of 5 days after treatment. Do not use bleaching creams, abrasive scrubs, toners, or products that contain glycolyc acids or retinoids. Retinoids may be resumed 5 full days after treatment if the treatment area is free of flaking, redness, and irritation. 

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Once all dry skin has flaked off and your skin is fully healed, you may resume your routine skin care and make-up products, as long as they are tolerable to you. We recommend a mineral based make-up.

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Use sunscreen immediately after treatment and continue to use to prevent sun damage to the skin. Sunscreen should offer broadband protection (UVA and UVB) and have an SPF of 30 or more. Use sunscreen immediately after treatment and apply daily for at least 3 months after your last treatment. Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. If direct sun exposure is necessary, wear a hat and clothing that covers the treated area. Diligent sunscreen use may lower the risk of laser-induced hyperpigmentation (darker skin color).

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Peeling and/or flaking is normal; therefore, the moisturizer you use should be non-irritating and non-clogging, or else you could develop breakouts. Reapply whenever your skin feels dry. 

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