Treatment Instructions

PRE-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR C02 LASER TREATMENT (ABLATIVE AND NON-ABLATIVE)

Fractional laser resurfacing has revolutionized the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles, acne, surgical, and traumatic scars, and facial discoloration. Other benefits of treatment include improvement in the overall texture and tone of the skin. While responses vary from patient to patient, results are frequently achieved in one treatment session. It should be noted that this treatment will likely not improve facial redness or small facial blood vessels, which are best treated with other laser and light-based devices. All laser procedures carry some degree of risk. The most common and expected side effects of this treatment are temporary redness, swelling, pinpoint bleeding, skin discoloration, and discomfort. Infection, acne flares, prolonged wound healing, redness and discoloration, and scarring are possible but uncommon. Careful adherence to all postoperative instructions including strict sunscreen use and sun avoidance will minimize complications and maximize your results. Although fractional CO2 laser resurfacing is very effective in the majority of cases, no guarantees can be made regarding any individual response to treatment. The procedure you are about to undergo can provide very rewarding results, but not without your complete understanding and full cooperation. The following information will help achieve our mutual goals of safety and satisfaction.

Consult Instructions:

At your consult we will review the procedure and send in your prescriptions. At this visit the pretreatment photos will be taken. You will have the opportunity to ask questions to clarify the post treatment instructions and will also be given prescriptions for an antibiotic, an antiviral, and Valium (if elected). We will also review optional ProNox anesthesia. Some of the prescribed medications will be taken the morning of your treatment and some will come in handy after.

4 weeks prior to the treatment

Avoid sun exposure, tanning beds, and sunless tanning creams. If you are tanned, your treatment may need to be rescheduled. Sun exposure increases the chance of post-treatment complications.

1 week prior to the treatment

Stop applying tretinoin cream (Retin A), glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, astringents, and harsh chemicals to the treatment area.
Fill the prescriptions for your antibiotic, antiviral, and Valium (if prescribed)

1 day prior to the treatment

Begin your antibiotic and antiviral medicines as directed.

Day of Treatment

Do not apply makeup, creams, mascara or oils on the day of your treatment. Do not wear contact lenses. Do not wear jewelry. If you have long hair wear your hair pulled back with a headband on the day of the treatment. Wear comfortable clothing. Avoid wearing a shirt that has to be pulled over the face and head – rather wear a top that is a button down/zipper.

If prescribed, take 10mg of valium one hour before the appointment. Once you arrive, you might take a second Valium 10mg so remember to bring your bottle with you. All patients taking Valium must have a driver to take them home.

What to Expect: About 1 hour before the laser treatment is performed, a topical anesthetic will be applied to the treatment area. You may have a local anesthetic injected to further numb the areas around the mouth and under the eyes that are extra sensitive. Before your treatment begins you will be given special eye goggles to wear to protect your eyes. The laser itself usually causes mild to moderate discomfort, which has been described as the sensation of being "snapped with a rubber band."

The actual laser treatment itself will take about 45 minutes. Once the laser procedure is complete, Aquaphor will be applied to your treated area. You will be able to put on your hat/scarf at this time. Wearing a wide brimmed hat will provide additional protection on your drive home. It is normal for skin to feel “sunburned” and/or tight immediately following the treatment.

• Expect a burning sensation on the face up to 5 hours post-procedure
• Continue with antibiotics as directed. You make take Tylenol or Ibuprofen for pain relief if needed
• Rest! Avoid strenuous exercise, bending, straining, or lifting heavy objects for at least 3 days after procedure.
• Over the first 24-48 hours the facial skin will have the appearance of a dark tan/sunburn. There may be mild blistering and the formation of a fine scab. This is to be expected. DO NOT PEEL OR PICK.
• You can expect redness for at least 2 days.
• DO NOT use your old make-up/make-up brushes … you need to wait 7 days until the skin has healed. Using old make-up/old brushes on fresh tissue can result in possible infection.
• At day 3-4 your face will darken and you can expect to peel around day 5. A more intense treatment may take longer.
• You can expect there to be residual brown pigment for up to 6 months depending on the intensity of your treatment – this is normal. Aggressive sun-protection is critical to prevent additional pigmentation on freshly treated skin.

Day of Procedure:

• Apply a fresh coat of aquaphor to the areas treated every 4-6 hours with clean hands
• Sleep with your head elevated
• Do not shower or wash your face

Post Op Day 1-3:

• Shower with cool water, allowing the water to run down your face
• Gently use the cleanser provided to clean the face – this should be performed carefully with your hands, do NOT use abrasive cloths. Do not scrub or pick.
• Continue to apply aquaphor every 4-6 hours with clean hands

Post Op Day 4-7:

• Continue to wash your face with the gentle cleanser using only your clean hands
• Shower with cool water if you wash your hair with warm water, take care to avoid exposing your face to the hot water.
• Your skin will start to peel. DO NOT PICK!
• Start to apply the skin repair cream provided. It may cause some burning…this is due to the antioxidants that aide healing. You should apply this twice daily.
• At your 1 week post-op appointment we will work with you to develop a new skin regimen that will keep the radiant skin you now have after CO2 Fractional Laser Resurfacing. We will also discuss when to start make-up and review when to re-incorporate other topical treatments including your topical retinoid.

***Direct sun exposure should be avoided for at least 6 months. Every day you leave your home you should have sunscreen with zinc or titanium applied to your face. EVERY MINUTE OF DIRECT SUN EXPOSURE – EVEN THROUGH A CAR WINDOW – WILL INCREASE YOUR RISK OF POST PROCEDURE HYPERPIGMENTATION 10 FOLD! Dr. Weiss’ specially formulated Defend Facial Sunscreen has been provided. Wear a hat and sunglasses. Purchase a stylish UPF headband from Amazon.com for when you are active outside. Protecting your skin and limiting sun exposure ensures the best cosmetic result!

1. Continue with your antibiotic and valcyclovir until all pills are completed as directed
2. Do not shower until the morning.
3. Apply ice at home 10 min every hour as needed for comfort over the first 8 hours
4. Over the first 24h aggressively apply aquaphor on the treated skin. After 24h, you should begin the provided Repair cream
5. Make-up can resume after 48h
6. No swimming or hot tubs for 1 week
7. SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN – DO NOT EXPOSE THE TREATED AREA TO THE SUN
8. If signs of infection occur (pus, drainage, blisters) please call the office immediately.

Day One

4 HOURS POST TREATMENT

• Cleanse the skin using Gentle Purifying Cleanser. Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
• Using gentle pressure, apply 1st Purify Post Peel Towelette to areas where the peel was applied.
  Discard towelette and wash hands.
• Wait 10 min, then apply a thin layer of Post Treatment Repair Cream. You may apply makeup if desired,
  a mineral makeup is preferred.

1 HOUR BEFORE BEDTIME

• Follow the same steps as shown above, applying your 2nd Purify Post Peel Towelette. Sweet dreams!

Do not apply anything to your skin for 4 hours post VI Peel Treatment, including an SPF. Stay out of direct sunlight.

Day Two

MORNING

• Cleanse the skin using Gentle Purifying Cleanser. Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
• Apply a thin layer of Post Treatment Repair Cream. Reapply as often as needed. You may apply makeup if desired,
  a mineral makeup is preferred.
• Apply VI Derm SPF 50+ Sunscreen, even if it’s not a sunny day. Reapply throughout the day.

1 HOUR BEFORE BEDTIME

• Cleanse the skin using Gentle Purifying Cleanser. Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
• Using gentle pressure, apply your 3rd Purify Post Peel Towelette to areas where the peel was applied. Discard towelette and wash hands.
• Wait 10 min, then apply a thin layer of Post Treatment Repair Cream. Sleep tight!

Day 3-7

MORNING - PEELING OR FLAKING USUALLY BEGINS

• Cleanse the skin using Gentle Purifying Cleanser. Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
• Apply a thin layer of Post Treatment Repair Cream. Reapply as often as needed. You may apply makeup if desired, a mineral makeup
  is preferred.
• Apply VI Derm SPF 50+ Sunscreen, even if it is not a sunny day. Reapply throughout the day.

EVENING

• Cleanse the skin. Rinse with cool water and pat dry. Apply Post Treatment Repair Cream as needed.
• After day 7, you may resume your normal skincare routine. For the biggest benefit from your VI Peel Treatment, we recommend continuing with the VI Derm Cleanser and SPF 50+, in addition to incorporating other skincare essentials from the VI Derm line.

Day One

4 HOURS POST TREATMENT

• Cleanse the skin using Gentle Purifying Cleanser. Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
• Using gentle pressure, apply 1st Purify Post Peel Towelette to areas where the peel was applied. Discard towelette and wash hands.
• Wait 10 min, then apply a thin layer of Post Treatment Repair Cream. You may apply makeup if desired, a mineral makeup is preferred.

1 HOUR BEFORE BEDTIME

• Cleanse the skin using Gentle Purifying Cleanser. Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
• Locate the towelette labeled Precision Plus Post Peel Towelette. Using gentle pressure, apply to areas where the peel was applied. Discard towelette and wash hands.
• Wait 30 min, then apply the 2nd Purify Post Peel Towelette. Do not wash off.
• Wait 10 min, then apply a thin layer of Post Treatment Repair Cream. Sweet dreams!

Day Two

MORNING

• Cleanse the skin using Gentle Purifying Cleanser. Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
• Apply a thin layer of Post Treatment Repair Cream. Reapply as often as needed. You may apply makeup if desired, a mineral makeup is preferred.
• Apply VI Derm SPF 50+ Sunscreen, even if it’s not a sunny day. Reapply throughout the day.

1 HOUR BEFORE BEDTIME

• Cleanse the skin using Gentle Purifying Cleanser. Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
• Using gentle pressure, apply 2nd Precision Plus Post Peel Towelette to areas where the peel was applied. Discard towelette and wash hands.
• Wait 30 min, then apply the 3rd Purify Post Peel Towelette. Do not wash off.
• Wait 10 min, then apply a thin layer of Post Treatment Repair Cream. Sleep tight

Day 3-7

MORNING - PEELING OR FLAKING USUALLY BEGINS

• Follow the same instructions listed under day two - MORNING.

EVENING

• Cleanse the skin. Rinse with cool water and pat dry. Apply Post Treatment Repair Cream as needed.
• After day 7, you may resume your normal skincare routine. For the biggest benefit from your VI Peel Treatment, we recommend continuing with the VI Derm Cleanser and SPF 50+, in addition to incorporating other skincare essentials from the VI Derm line.

Day One

4 HOURS POST TREATMENT

• Cleanse the skin using Gentle Purifying Cleanser. Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
• Using gentle pressure, apply 1st Post Peel Towelette to areas where the peel was applied.
  Discard towelette and wash hands.
• Wait 10 min, then apply a thin layer of Post Treatment Repair Cream. You may apply makeup if desired, a mineral makeup is preferred.

1 HOUR BEFORE BEDTIME

• Follow the same steps as shown above, applying your 2nd Post Peel Towelette. Sweet dreams!

Do not apply anything to your skin for 4 hours post VI Peel Treatment, including an SPF. Stay out of direct sunlight.

Day Two

MORNING

• Cleanse the skin using Gentle Purifying Cleanser. Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
• Apply a thin layer of Post Treatment Repair Cream. Reapply as often as needed. You may apply makeup if desired, a mineral makeup is preferred.
• Apply VI Derm SPF 50+ Sunscreen, even if it’s not a sunny day. Reapply throughout the day.

1 HOUR BEFORE BEDTIME

• Cleanse the skin using Gentle Purifying Cleanser. Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
• Using gentle pressure, apply your 3rd Post Peel Towelette to areas where the peel was applied. Discard towelette and wash hands.
• Wait 10 min, then apply a thin layer of Post Treatment Repair Cream. Sleep tight!

Day 3-7

MORNING - PEELING OR FLAKING USUALLY BEGINS

• Cleanse the skin using Gentle Purifying Cleanser. Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
• Apply a thin layer of Post Treatment Repair Cream. Reapply as often as needed. You may apply makeup if desired, a mineral makeup is preferred.
• Apply VI Derm SPF 50+ Sunscreen, even if it is not a sunny day. Reapply throughout the day.

EVENING

• Cleanse the skin. Rinse with cool water and pat dry. Apply Post Treatment Repair Cream as needed.
• After day 7, you may resume your normal skincare routine. For the biggest benefit from your VI Peel Treatment, we recommend continuing with the VI Derm Cleanser and SPF 50+, in addition to incorporating other skincare essentials from the VI Derm line.