Laser and Skin Health Center

We are committed to attaining a high level of patient satisfaction.  To ensure the best cosmetic result, it is important that patients avoid the sun, not be tanned and wear sun protection after each laser procedure.  Because some laser procedures may cause temporary bruising or scabbing for several days, it is important to not schedule any formal events shortly after each laser procedure.  For a list of specific guidelines for each cosmetic procedure, please click on each link below:

Chemical Peels
Botox
Fraxel
Hair Removal Lasers
Photorejuvination
Microdermabrasion
Photodynamic Therapy
Vascular Lasers (Pulse Dye Laser)
Q-switched lasers (Removes Brown Spots and Tattoos)
Sclerotherapy
Soft Tissue Augmentation

Chemical Peels

• Please avoid the sun and wear sun protection for a minimum of 4 weeks after the procedure.
• After the treatment, you may use a thin layer of moisturizer (ie: cetaphil) to keep the skin moist.
• Please discontinue all vitamin A creams (ie: retin-a, tretinoin, differin, tazorac) and bleaching creams (ie: hydroquinone, tri-luma, epiquin) 2-4 days prior to each chemical peel, and resume topical therapy only until after all redness and peeling has faded. (usually 3-7 days)

Botox

• Please stay in the erect posture (with head up) and do not rub the area of injection for a six hour period after the injection.
• Please do not travel by airplane (after facial treatment) for two days after receiving Botox.
• It may take up to 7-10 days to attain the full effect from the Botox injections.
• If not medically indicated, please avoid the following medications: aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamin E, and St. John’s Wort as these medications may enhance bruising after botox injections.  Please check with your primary care physician prior to stopping any of the above medication to see if it is safe to do so.

Fraxel

• Please avoid the sun and wear sun protection for a minimum of 4 weeks after the procedure.

Hair Removal Lasers

• Please stay out of the sun and wear sun protection for a minimum of 4 weeks after the procedure.
• Please do not pick at, rub or manipulate the treated areas.
• Please do not pluck hairs prior to laser treatment.
• Please do not get tanned prior each laser treatment.

Photorejuvination

• Please stay out of the sun and wear sun protection for a minimum of 4 weeks after the procedure.
• Please do not pick at, rub or manipulate the treated areas.

Microdermabrasion

• Please avoid the sun and wear sun protection for a minimum of 4 weeks after the procedure.
• After the treatment, you may use a thin layer of moisturizer (ie: cetaphil) to keep the skin moist.
• Please discontinue all vitamin A creams (ie: retin-a, tretinoin, differin, tazorac) and bleaching creams (ie: hydroquinone, tri-luma, epiquin) 2-4 days prior to each chemical peel, and resume topical therapy only until after all redness and peeling has faded. (usually 3-7 days)

Photodynamic Therapy

• Remain indoors and avoid direct sunlight or bright indoor lights for 48 hours.
• If you have discomfort, apply ice packs or cool water spray mist to treated areas.
• Apply gentle cleansers and moisturizers daily.
• Stay out of the sun and wear sun protection for a minimum of 4 weeks after the procedure.
• For patients being treated for acne- you may experience a worsening of your acne for 1 week. This self-resolves. You may use non-comedogenic cleansers and moisturizers.

Vascular Lasers (Pulse Dye Laser)

• Please stay out of the sun and wear sun protection for a minimum of 4 weeks after the procedure.
• Sometimes the laser may cause temporary bruising after treatment that may last up to 1 week.  Patients may wear cover-up to hide the bruising, but the make-up usually only covers up starting 3 days after the procedure.
• Please do not pick at, rub or manipulate the treated areas.
• If not medically indicated, please avoid the following medications: aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamin E, and St. John’s Wort as these medications may enhance bruising and slightly impair the removal of vascular lesions.  Please check with your primary care physician prior to stopping any of the above medication to see if it is safe to do so.

Q-switched lasers (Removes Brown Spots and Tattoos)

• Please stay out of the sun and wear sun protection for a minimum of 4 weeks after the procedure.
• Patients with brown spots may experience mild temporary scabbing that resolves in 1 week on the face, and 2 weeks on the trunk and extremities.  Please apply Vaseline to the areas that have crusting twice daily.
• Patients with tattoos may experience  temporary crusting, scabbing and blistering which resolves in 1 week.  Please apply Vaseline to the areas that have crusting twice daily and do not pick at, rub or manipulate the crusted areas.

Sclerotherapy

• Please stay out of the sun and wear sun protection for a minimum of 4 weeks after the procedure.
• Please wear support stockings for 1 week. Routine walking after the procedure is encouraged. Avoid strenuous physical activities such as high impact aerobics or weight lifting for the first 48-72 hours.
• Avoid sitting or standing in one position for long periods of time. Avoid hot baths.

Soft Tissue Augmentation

• If not medically indicated, please avoid the following medications: aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamin E, and St. John’s Wort as these medications may enhance bruising after injections.  Please check with your primary care physician prior to stopping any of the above medication to see if it is safe to do so.