Pre & Post Care Instructions - Med Spa

BroadBand Light (BBL) Pre & Post Care

Pre-Treatment

  • No sun exposure or tanning for 2 weeks prior.
  • Avoid retinoids, AHA/BHA acids, exfoliants, and waxing for 5–7 days prior.
  • Avoid self-tanner for 3–5 days prior.
  • Notify your provider if you:
    • Are prone to cold sores (antiviral may be needed)
    • Are taking photosensitizing medications
    • Have used isotretinoin (Accutane) within 6 months
  • Do not stop prescribed blood thinners without physician approval.
  • Arrive with clean skin (no makeup, lotion, or fragrance).

What to Expect

  • Mild redness and warmth for several hours.
  • Pigmented spots may darken within 2–3 days.
  • Darkened pigment may flake off within 5–7 days.
  • Do not pick or scratch treated areas.
  • A series of 2–4 treatments is typically recommended.

Post-Treatment

For 48 hours:

  • Avoid heat, sauna, strenuous exercise, and hot showers.
  • Use gentle cleanser and moisturizer only.
  • Avoid retinoids, acids, exfoliants, and additional treatments.
  • Do not pick at darkened pigment.

Sun Protection is Critical:

  • Avoid direct sun for 2 weeks.
  • Use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily and reapply when outdoors.

Possible Risks

While uncommon, the following complications can occur:

  • Temporary redness, swelling, or mild irritation
  • Darkening or lightening of skin (hyper- or hypopigmentation)
  • Bruising, blistering, or crusting
  • Infection

Laser Vein Pre & Post Care

Pre-Treatment

  • Avoid sun exposure and tanning (including self-tanner) for 2 weeks before treatment.
  • Do not take blood-thinning medications unless approved by your provider.
  • Avoid waxing, tweezing, or epilating the treatment area; shaving is allowed.
  • Arrive with clean skin (no lotion, oils, or makeup).
  • Arrive with loos fitting clothes (if treatment area is on the body)
  • Notify your provider of any medications, medical conditions, or history of cold sores.

First 1–2 Weeks

  • Avoid heat: hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, very hot showers
  • Minimize sun exposure; use SPF 30+ on treated areas
  • Avoid prolonged standing or sitting; move/flex legs every 30–60 minutes if needed
  • No vigorous massage unless instructed
  • If treatment was on legs, wear compression socks for 72 hours after.

Normal Reactions

  • Redness, warmth, mild swelling.
  • Bruising or veins appearing darker before fading.
  • Slight itching or scabbing – keep moisturized, if itchy use a hydrocortisone cream.
  • Veins typically fade over 3–12 weeks.

Possible Risks

While uncommon, the following complications can occur:

  • Temporary darkening or lightening of skin (hyper- or hypopigmentation)
  • Prolonged bruising or swelling
  • Blistering or scarring (rare)
  • Infection (rare)

Laser Hair Removal Pre & Post Care

Pre-Treatment

  • Avoid sun exposure and tanning (including tanning beds and self-tanner).
  • Do not treat sunburned skin.
  • Avoid waxing, tweezing, threading, or epilators (shaving is allowed).
  • Avoid exfoliating acids, retinoids, or harsh skincare on the treatment area.
  • Shave the treatment area.
  • Avoid applying self-tanner.
  • Arrive with clean skin (no lotion, deodorant, makeup, oils, or fragrance).
  • Avoid heavy exercise immediately before your appointment.

What to Expect

  • Mild redness, warmth, or slight swelling (goosebump-like bumps) for 24–48 hours.
  • Hair may appear to “grow” before shedding — this is normal.
  • Shedding typically occurs 1–3 weeks after treatment.

Post-Treatment

  • Avoid hot showers, baths, saunas, steam rooms.
  • Avoid strenuous exercise and excessive sweating.
  • Avoid sun exposure.
  • Avoid makeup or deodorant on treated areas (if applicable).
  • Wear loose clothing to reduce friction.
  • Do not scratch or pick the area.
  • Avoid retinoids, exfoliants, and harsh skincare.
  • Avoid waxing, tweezing, or threading between sessions.
  • Gentle exfoliation may help release shedding hairs.

Sun Protection

  • Avoid direct sun for 2 weeks after treatment.
  • Use broad-spectrum SPF 30–50 daily on exposed areas.

Possible Risks

While uncommon, the following complications can occur:

  • Redness, swelling, warmth, mild irritation (24–48 hours)
  • Blistering, crusting, acne-like bumps, ingrown hairs, bruising, cold sore reactivation
  • Skin darkening or lightening, burns, scarring, infection

MicroLaser Peel – Pre & Post Care

Pre-Treatment

  • Avoid retinoids, acids (AHA/BHA), vitamin C, and exfoliating products for 3–5 days prior.
  • Avoid sun exposure, tanning beds, and self-tanner for 1–2 weeks prior.
  • Do not use Accutane within the last 6 months.
  • Arrive with clean skin, no makeup, lotion, or fragrance.
  • Notify your provider of cold sore history or skin infections.

First 24–48 Hours

What to Expect:

  • Redness, swelling, warmth, tightness
  • Mild oozing or crusting

Care:

  • Cleanse gently 2–3 times daily; pat dry
  • Apply healing ointment (Aquaphor or as advised) frequently
  • Use cold compresses for swelling
  • Sleep with head elevated

Avoid:

  • Touching, scratching, or picking
  • Makeup
  • Sun exposure
  • Hot showers, saunas, or exercise

Days 3–7

What to Expect:

  • Skin darkens slightly, then peels/flakes
  • Tightness and mild itchiness

Care:

  • Continue gentle cleansing and ointment
  • Do not peel or pick flaking skin
  • Avoid active skincare (retinoids, acids, vitamin C)
  • Switch to gentle moisturizer once advised
  • Begin broad-spectrum SPF 30+ once healed (usually day 5–7)
  • Light makeup allowed after skin is fully re-epithelialized

Weeks 2+

  • Pinkness may persist — this is normal
  • Continue daily sunscreen
  • Avoid direct sun/heat
  • Gradually reintroduce active products only if approved

Possible Risks

  • Infection (bacterial, viral, or rarely fungal)
  • Scarring (hypertrophic or keloid, rare)
  • Pigment changes (hyper- or hypopigmentation)
  • Prolonged redness or delayed healing (risk higher with smoking, autoimmune conditions)
  • Milia, acne/rosacea flare, itchy heat bumps
  • Allergic or contact reactions to products

ProFractional Laser (Sciton) – Pre & Post Care

Pre-Treatment

  • Avoid retinoids, exfoliating acids (AHA/BHA), and aggressive skincare for 3–5 days prior.
  • Avoid sun exposure, tanning beds, and self-tanner for 1–2 weeks prior.
  • Do not use Accutane within the last 6 months.
  • Arrive with clean skin, no makeup, lotion, or fragrance.
  • Notify your provider of cold sore history or skin infections.
  • Take antiviral medication if prone to cold sores (as instructed).

First 24–48 Hours

What to Expect:

  • Redness, swelling, warmth, and mild tenderness
  • Tiny pinpoint crusts or oozing

Care:

  • Cleanse gently with a mild, non-foaming cleanser, pat dry.
  • Apply healing ointment frequently to keep skin moist, do not let the area dry out.
  • Use cold compresses for swelling
  • Sleep with head elevated if swelling occurs

Avoid:

  • Touching, scratching, or picking
  • Makeup
  • Sun exposure
  • Hot showers, saunas, or strenuous exercise

Days 3–7

What to Expect:

  • Skin may darken, then flake/peel
  • Mild tightness or itching

Care:

  • Continue gentle cleansing and ointment
  • Do not pick at peeling skin
  • Avoid retinoids, acids, or other active skincare
  • Switch to gentle moisturizer once advised
  • Begin broad-spectrum SPF 30+ once re-epithelialized
  • Light makeup allowed after skin is healed

Weeks 2+

  • Pinkness may persist — this is normal
  • Continue daily sunscreen
  • Avoid direct sun or heat exposure
  • Gradually reintroduce active products if approved

Possible Risks

  • Infection (bacterial, viral, or rarely fungal)
  • Scarring (hypertrophic or keloid, rare)
  • Pigment changes (hyper- or hypopigmentation)
  • Prolonged redness or delayed healing
  • Milia, acne/rosacea flare, or itchy heat bumps
  • Allergic or contact reactions to products

SkinTyte Pre & Post Care

Pre-Treatment

  • Avoid direct sun exposure for 1–2 weeks prior.
  • Do not use tanning beds or self-tanners.
  • Arrive with clean skin (no makeup, oils, or lotions).
  • Notify your provider if you have a history of cold sores, recent procedures, or photosensitive medications.
  • Avoid all active ingredients 1 week before (AHA, BHA, Retinols/ Differin, etc.)

Post-Treatment

  • Redness, warmth, Firmness or mild swelling is normal and usually resolves within a few hours.
  • Avoid heat exposure: hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms for 24–48 hours.
  • Minimize sun exposure; use broad-spectrum SPF 30+.
  • Gentle cleansing and moisturizer only; avoid retinoids, exfoliants, or harsh skincare for 24–48 hours.
  • Resume normal activity immediately; there is no downtime.

Possible Risks

  • Temporary redness or warmth
  • Mild swelling or tenderness
  • Rare: blistering, burns, changes in skin pigmentation, or scarring
  • Very rare: infection