PHOTOFACIAL TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Pre-Treatment Instructions
To ensure that your treatments for Photo-Rejuvenation (BBL) using our Lasers are as safe and effective as possible, we ask you to carefully read and follow the following list of instructions.
- Avoid tanning for at least 4-6 weeks prior to treatment.
- Avoid exfoliates, peels, and prescription Vitamin A creams/gels for one week prior to treatment.
- Sunscreen is recommended for any treated areas exposed to the sun. Sunscreen should provide a minimum 30 SPF and a high level of UVA protection. Micronized Zinc Oxide (9%) gives the broadest and highest broadband protection.
- Men having their faces treated should shave on the day of treatment.
- Please call us to reschedule your appointment If you have a cold-sore, fever, or blisters.
- Please call us a few days before your appointment if you are taking any medications which were not discussed at the time of your consultation. We will consult the Physician to determine if it is safe to perform treatment as scheduled. Otherwise, we will reschedule your appointment.
Post-Treatment Instructions
- A mild sunburn sensation is expected. This usually lasts 2-24 hours but can persist up to 72 hours. Mild swelling and/or redness may accompany this, which usually resolves within 1 to 3 days.
- Apply cold gel packs or cool wet cloths every 10 minutes for four hours to the treated area until symptoms subside.
- Bath or shower as usual. Treated areas may be temperature sensitive. Cool showers or baths may offer relief.
- Apply a mild moisturizer or Aloe to re-hydrate the skin.
- Avoid exposing the treated area to the sun, tanning beds, and tanning creams for 2-3 weeks. If sun exposure is unavoidable use SPF 45. Sun avoidance will decrease the likelihood of skin colour changes.
- Avoid internal and external heat sources for two days (i .e. hot-tubs, saunas, intensive exercise).
- Avoid chemical or mechanical irritation of the treated area (i.e. use of exfoliates, scrub brushes, loofa sponges, chlorinated pools) until the treatment area has returned to its pre-treatment condition.
- Do not shave the treated area for 1 – 2 days after treatment. Do not tweeze, wax, or have Electrolysis.
- Antihistamines may be used if “itching” is experienced after treatment (i.e. Benadryl).
- A mild topical hydrocortisone may be applied to decrease a strong inflammatory response.
- If blisters occur, apply an antibiotic ointment to the area 2 times a day until healed (i.e. Polysporin, Fucidin).
- Contact our office if there is any sign of infection in the treatment area (redness, tenderness, pus).
- Pigmented lesions may initially look darkened or raised with a reddened perimeter. The lesions will progress to crusting/scabs and will begin to flake off in a few days. Do not pick or remove scabs as this will cause scarring. They will fully heal in approximately 7 days and will continue to fade over the next 2 to 4 weeks.
- Some vascular lesions or vessels undergo immediate blanching and others will change to a slight purplish colour. They either fully or partially resolve in 10-21 days: areas of diffuse flushing gradually fade. Redness and flushing usually improves with each treatment although are sometimes delayed and requires several treatments to achieve the desired results.
Immediately contact your MD Aesthetics at 905-666-5117 for a professional advice if you experience any side effects that concern you.