Before Your Treatment
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- ONE – TWO WEEKS PRIOR: Avoid excessive sun exposure, artificial tanning, laser treatments, waxing, bleaching, the use of depilatories, or microdermabrasion. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 to protect your skin.
- 2-3 DAYS PRIOR: Discontinue any products that cause irritation to the skin (ie. retinols, toners, anti-aging products with alpha hydroxy products, glycolic or lactic acids) all topical creams unless instructed by your provider. If you have a history of herpes, warts, sunburned skin. Please do let your provider know If you have had any change to medications, i.e., antibiotics for illness, to ensure treatment may be completed as planned.
- If an anti-viral is recommended by the provider, you will take the medication 1 day prior to treatment as directed.
(patients with a history of cold sores)
Day of Your Treatment
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- Immediately after your treatment the skin will feel rather hot. Your practitioner will assist you with cooling the skin for comfort as well as applying moisturizer and sunblock. After it cools it may still feel like a mild to moderate sunburn for a few hours.
After Your Treatment
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- DAY 1: Skin may be mildly swollen, particularly around the eyes. Do not be alarmed. Swelling is normal and expected. Wash with gentle cleanser twice a day; apply gentle moisturizer as needed, and SPF 30. Mineral makeup can be used if desired.
- DAY 2 Skin might feel rough. Continue with gentle wash twice daily, moisturizer as needed and sunblock daily. Makeup can be used as desired.
- DAY 3: Mild flaking is expected and normal. Avoid scrubbing or picking dry skin as it may result in irritation and compromise the overall result. Continue with gentle cleanser twice daily, moisturize as needed and daily sunblock. Makeup can be used if desired.
- DAY 4: Skin will still appear dry and mild peeling will continue. Avoid picking and scrubbing. Continue with gentle cleanser twice daily, moisturize as needed and sunblock.
- DAY 5: Mild peeling should probably be almost completely resolved. Skin will feel softer, yet may be sensitive to sunlight. Important to continue with sunblock daily, and may resume active products, if cleared by your practitioner. (i.e. retinols, AHA’s, vitamin c etc.)
- NOTE: During the healing process (3-5 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. Avoid anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, vigorous exercise, excessive sweating, hot tubs and saunas until initial irritation/redness resolves.
