Pigment Reduction Laser – How to best prepare for your appointment and aftercare instructions post treatment

For best results from your pigment reduction laser treatment, follow our expect doctor advice in our pre and post procedure instructions.

Before Procedure:

4 weeks prior to the treatment-

• Please inform the doctor if you have taken Roaccutane (oral acne medication) in the past 6 month.
• Do not sunbathe or use sunbeds.
• Do not use fake tans.

1 week prior to the treatment-

• Discontinue any irritative topical actives such as Tretinoin, Retinol, AHA/BHA, Vitamin C.
• Do not use any medication that causes photosensitivity such as Tetracycline or Minocycline.
• Do not wax, thread, or tweeze hair from the treatment area.
• Do not use depilatory creams or bleach hair in the treatment area.
• Do not have electrolysis on the treatment area.
• Reduce sun exposure.

2 days prior to the treatment-

• Do not take anti-inflammatory medicine.
• Do not smoke or drink alcohol.

 

What To Expect Following Procedure:

• Mild swelling and erythema associate with mild sunburn-like sensation for up to 2-3 days post treatment.
• Pigmented lesions (brown spots and freckles) usually darken after the treatment and mild crusting begins to form within a few days. Micro crust will gradually flake off over the next 2-3 weeks.
• Short term skin dryness, tightness, and itching.
• Anticipate some social downtime following your treatment (3-5 days)

 

After Procedure:

• Apply a wrapped cool compress or wrapped ice pack to the treatment areas for 10 minutes every 1-2 hours as needed to reduce post treatment swelling and redness.
• Use mild cleanser twice daily for 3-5 days, and do not rub the skin vigorously.
• Use regular non-occlusive hydrating cream to keep treatment area hydrated until your skin has resumed normal function (5-7 days).
• Avoid hot baths, sauna, sweat inducing exercise for 2-3 days.
• Strict sun protection and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 50+ for 4 weeks after your treatment.
• Avoid harsh topical products such as AHAs, BHAs, vitamin A for at least 7 days.
• May resume wearing makeup as normal 2 days after the procedure. Make sure makeup brushes are clean and there are no crusts or scabs on skin before you resume cosmetics.
• Do not scratch, pick, pull at or abrade the treated skin. If a crust or scab occurs, you can apply topical wound gel or antibiotic ointment twice daily until it comes off naturally.
• Avoid shaving and waxing in the areas of treatment for 7 days.

Caution 

Please Contact Your Doctor Immediately if You Experience: 

• Signs of infection – increased skin redness, heat, tenderness, or surface exudate within 48hours post treatment 
• Signs of blistering and pain 
• Appearance of herpes simplex infection