PRE & POST TREATMENT CARE INSTRUCTIONS

 

MSU Aesthetic & Laser Treatment Center’s pre- & post- care instructions are intended to help guide you through a quick recovery process, ensure proper skin healing, and maximize results for your customized treatment plan.

 

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PRE-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Two Weeks Prior and Leading Up To Procedure Day

• Drink plenty of water: Your skin is the largest organ of the body and the last to receive water. Hydrated skin heals more quickly and helps prevent unnecessary complications like bruising or excessive dryness during the recovery process.
• Wear a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher daily, and avoid excessive sun exposure: Tanned skin carries active melanocytes that can become targeted during light and heat based treatments, resulting in uneven skin coloration, burning, blistering, or scarring. The MSU ALTC team can give recommendations on OTC sunscreens, or you can stop in our office to purchase a medical-grade sunscreen specifically chosen for your skin type.
• Medication changes or changes to medical history: If you have started taking new medication, prescription antibiotics, or if there have been changes in your medical history, be sure to inform the office or your Medical Aesthetician as soon as possible to rule out possible side effects such as photosensitivity, bruising, or delayed healing.

Two Days Prior To Procedure:

• Discontinue use of harsh skin ingredients: such as prescription strength retinols, acne creams, facial scrubs, or hydroquinone.
• If prone to cold sores or herpes simplex: start taking prescription oral medication as directed by your general practitioner or primary care doctor.
• If facial or body hair is present in the treatment zone: shave or clip hair down to a comfortable length to ensure proper contact between the handpiece your Aesthetician will use, and the skin being targeted.

Day Of Procedure Tips:

• Avoid applying perfumes, lotions, deodorant, and makeup in the treatment zone.
• Wear hair back with a headband or hair tie to keep numbing cream and/or skin gel from getting into the hairline.
• If discussed ahead of time with your medical aesthetician, over-the-counter Tylenol can be taken prior to your appointment.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing or, if the treatment zone is on the face, bring a loose-fitting hat to wear out of the office to avoid direct sun exposure following your procedure.
• Plan to arrive early to your appointment for topical numbing, if needed. Typically, 30 minutes to 1 hour is needed for topical numbing to be fully effective. Click here to learn more about topical numbing application and numbing times per treatment.

 

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POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Immediately Post-Procedure

• Refrain from touching the treatment zone for FOUR HOURS post procedure. If necessary, use clean, dry hands, and avoid applying anything to the treatment zone until your four-hour window has passed.
• Redness, swelling, and a “sunburn sensation” in the treatment zone are to be expected and depending on the treatment, will resolve anywhere from a few hours up to ten days post procedure. This response is necessary to stimulate new collagen production and skin growth. The amount of redness and swelling will vary per individual and could look different at each appointment.
• Areas with darker pigment in the treatment zone may appear darker following your procedure. This will resolve over time and will fade as the skin heals.
• MENDs (microscopic epidermal necrotic debris) may appear a few days following HALO, MOXI, BBL, or MICRONEEDLING procedures. This is a necessary part of the healing process where the treated tissue works its way out of your body as new, fresh skin is regenerated. During this time, your skin may feel dry and rough to the touch. Keep skin moisturized with the products your Aesthetician has given you, and refrain from picking or scrubbing these areas as it may result in scarring or hypopigmentation.
• If given post procedure thermal spring water, reapply to the skin generously and as often as needed to reduce discomfort and aid in recovery.
• Use 70% rubbing alcohol to disinfect your phone, glasses, or earbuds before touching them to treatment zones on the face.
• Use mild detergents and use a clean pillowcase this week when sleeping and resting.
• Sleeping slightly elevated and on the back can prevent swelling in areas of the face and around the eyes.

First 48 Hours Post-Procedure

• Continue to drink plenty of water!
• The post-treatment skin care routine your Aesthetician has given you can be used 4 HOURS following your procedure.
  • Twice a day, use the gentle hydrating cleanser with lukewarm water to gently wash treatment zone using just your hands.
  • Avoid washcloths, loofahs, and towels that can harbor bacteria.
  • Follow with the mild moisturizer, and Cicalfate Healing Cream to spot treat areas of excessive dryness or hot spots. In cases of extreme dryness in the entire treatment zone, Cicalfate may be used as a heavier moisturizer.
  • Apply an SPF recommended by your Aesthetician in the morning, even if staying indoors.
  • Thermal Spring Water may be used at any time throughout the day to help with itching, dryness, or irritation.
• Continue to refrain from using harsh skin ingredients such as prescription strength retinols, acne creams, facial scrubs, or hydroquinone.
• Avoid shaving in the treatment zone.
• Continue to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing or if the treatment zone is on the face, a loose-fitting hat when going outside.
• Avoid strenuous activity, swimming, sweating, outdoor activities, and heated rooms.
• For general post treatment discomfort, an over-the-counter oral pain reliever, such as Extra Strength Tylenol, or Advil, might be recommended.
• Sometimes skin healing can feel itchy! Avoid scratching the treatment zone to prevent complications such as skin trauma, scars, and inflammation. Over-the-counter Benadryl (50mg every 6 hours if needed) can be taken but may cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery when taking Benadryl.
• Continue taking oral anti-viral medication for cold sores as directed, if prescribed.

Days 2-7 Post Treatment

• Remember that you have had a medical- grade skin resurfacing procedure performed that requires time to recover.
  • Results can continue to progress for 90 days after your treatment day.
  • Until you feel that your skin is fully recovered, continue to follow your medical aesthetician’s instructions by following the tips above.
  • The most important tip to remember is to be gentle on your skin and continue to follow the after-care steps to the best of your ability.
  • Re-introduce makeup, lotions, prescription strength creams etc. gently and gradually.
  • Your skin may be more sensitive than it was prior to your treatment.

 

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Caution: Possible Side Effects

Some treatment options at MSU Aesthetic & Laser Treatment Center creates microscopic, open wounds in your skin that may become infected if not taken care of properly.

For signs of infection, contact our office IMMEDIATELY if you are experiencing any of the following:

• Blistering
• Broken skin
• Drainage
• Pus
• Fever
• Extreme itching
• Increased warmth at or around the treatment area after 24 hours.

Call us at 517-267-2497 during business hours Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm or
Text us at 517-705-3020 during business or after hours.