Pre & Post Treatment Instructions

• Avoid taking Aspirin, Heparin, Coumadin, Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Naprosyn, vitamin E, Niacin, ginkgo, fish oil, flax seed oil, turmeric, garlic, red wine, or green tea.
• Consult us regarding the medication you are currently taking, and inquire whether you can discontinue taking them for a period of time.
• Avoid any dental procedures, including dental cleanings 3 weeks prior to or post to

Dermal Filler

• Avoid any vaccinations, including Covid-19, 2 weeks prior to dermal filler.
• Do take Arnica or Bromelain by mouth. Bromelain is available in tablet form or found in fresh pineapple.
• Eat vegetables rich in vitamin K, such as leafy greens, and members of the cabbage family – broccoli, cabbage, spinach or take vitamin K supplements.
• If you have an extremely important event like a wedding or a reunion, we recommend having fillers done 2-4 weeks before the big day, as sometimes, depending on your level of recovery and tendency to bruise; bruises can last for up to 14 days.

What to Expect:

• Optimal results from hyaluronic acid filler injections are achieved after 2 weeks.
• Due to the lidocaine in the filler and the topical anesthetic cream applied to the treatment areas you may experience some numbness and tingling immediately after the procedure.
• Some people experience a dull ache and tenderness, which usually subsides within 48-72 hours.
• There may also be some moderate swelling, redness, or bruising over the treated areas. Some mild swelling can last for up to 2 weeks. Some mild bruising is usually visible immediately following the procedure but can worsen over the next few days and subside within 7-14 days.
• In a small minority of patients, bruises can take up to 4-6 weeks to fully resolve.

How to Protect Your Results and Reduce Side Effects:

• For 48 hours following the procedure, you should avoid exposure to UV light and heat (e.g., sauna, sun bed, long hot showers, strenuous exercise, etc.) as this may increase discomfort and swelling.
• Cold compresses on day one.
• Avoid any dental procedures, including dental cleanings 3 weeks post dermal filler.
• Avoid any vaccinations, including Covid-19, 2 weeks post dermal filler.
• Apply mild pressure only within the first 24 hours.
• Avoid touching the face and facial massages.
• Do not opt for other treatments until the area is fully healed.

Reduce the Chance of Infections:

• Frequent handwashing.
• Do not touch the treated areas for 6 hours post-procedure.
• Do not apply makeup for 24 hours.
• Do not plan any dental cleanings until 2 weeks after the procedure.

When to Contact Us:

Serious complications are rare, but it’s vital that you inform us if any of the following occur:

• Swelling, puffiness, or lumpiness that does not fade after 1 week
• New hard nodules with redness and tenderness that develop later than 1 week after the procedure
• Uneven results after 2 weeks

Contact us immediately if you develop increasing pain near any of the of injection sites, or if there is a color change anywhere from pale to purple in the area (not including normal bruising).

• Avoid any prolonged sun exposure for 4-6 weeks before the treatment. Do not apply self-tanner for at least 1 week before the treatment.
• Avoid taking any anticoagulants for 7 days before the treatment, if medical conditions allow. Consult with a physician.
• Discontinue all products containing Retinol, Glycolic, Alpha/Beta Hydroxy Acids, exfoliants, and bleaching creams for 1 week prior to the treatment.
• Patients should be off Accutane for a minimum of 4 months prior to the treatment.
• If prescribed, start anti-viral medication 1 day before treatment and continue as directed.
• Please arrive at your appointment with clean skin. There should be no lotion, makeup, perfume, powder, or bath/shower oil present in the area of treatment.
• Men should have a cleanly shaved face the night before or the morning of the procedure – without visible stubble.
• Patients with darker skin types should apply topical melanin inhibitor for 4 weeks prior to the treatment. (CoolPeel® Only)

• Sunburn sensation may linger for 24-48 hours after the procedure is completed. Follow skincare guidelines provided.
• Avoid touching or cleaning the area for 24 hours. Gentle cleanser may be resumed the morning after the treatment.
• Avoid makeup and sunscreen for a minimum of 24 hours post-procedure.
• Sleep with a clean pillowcase and head slightly elevated. Mild swelling may occur in the mornings for the first 48 hours post-treatment.
• Avoid applying ‘active’ ingredients to the skin for 1 week—this includes Benzoyl Peroxide, Salicylic Acid, Alpha-Hydroxy Acid (AHA), Beta-Hydroxy Acid (BHA), Retinol, vitamin C, and alcohol-based toners. You may resume retinol products 7 days after the procedure.
• Avoid direct sunlight for 1-2 weeks after your treatment; wear 50 SPF sunscreen thereafter to protect the skin and sun-protective hats/visors.
• No shaving over the area until the redness subsides.
• Avoid strenuous exercise, hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms for 1-week post-procedure or until redness subsides.
• No mask 24 hours following the procedure. If needed, use clean, disposable, breathable face masks after.

EXACT RF ONLY

• A warm compress is applied for the next 48 hours, 5x a day for 20 minutes.
• Gently massage the area 5 times a day in the direction starting from the nose to the outer face to resolve tiny bumps. A clean Q-tip could also be used to roll over the tiny bumps.
• Apply serum 4 hours post-treatment with clean hands.

After a microneedling procedure, your skin will be red and flushed in appearance, similar to a sunburn. You may experience skin tightness and mild sensitivity to the touch. This will diminish greatly a few hours following the treatment. After 3 days, the most visible redness will be resolved. To minimize your recovery time and optimize your results, it is important to follow all post-procedure instructions as outlined below:

Day 1:

• Apply a thin layer of Calming Complex (given to you during your appointment) frequently to soothe your skin.
• Do not take any anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil), or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn).
• Cool/cold compresses may be used as necessary to help minimize inflammation.
• Keep the new skin clean, cool, and moisturized.
• Avoid excessive sweating or strenuous exercise for 24 hours.
• Use a gentle cleanser and avoid irritating the skin with harsh chemicals, rubbing, or exfoliating for 1 week after treatment.
• You MUST avoid direct sun exposure and tanning beds for at least 7-10 days after your treatment. Your skin WILL burn easily after this procedure, which can cause severe hyperpigmentation.
• A broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher should be used at all times.

Day 2:

On the next day, redness and sensitivity may still be present. You may clean your face as usual and apply a thin layer of Calming Complex (given to you during your appointment) and other topical products as usual.

• Apply moisturizer to the treated areas frequently.
• Stay away from exfoliants or glycolic acids that may be in your cleanser, as these can make your skin very dry after the procedure. Check the ingredients in your cleanser.
• You may resume wearing makeup 24-48 hours after treatment. We recommend using a light, breathable mineral foundation applied with a brush. Avoid using sponges or rubbing makeup onto the face.

Days 3-7:

Treated areas may be dry and flaky. Avoid picking or peeling the skin. This is due to an increased turnover of skin cells.

• Moisturize constantly using a thin layer of Calming Complex or another regular skin moisturizer.
• Restart the regular skin care regimen after 48 hours.
• Do not use any harsh chemicals, including glycolic, alpha hydroxy, beta hydroxy, retinol, benzoyl peroxide, salicylate/salicylic acid, or topical acne medications for the first 7 days following treatment.

After day 7:

You may resume prescription retinoid products (Retin-A, Renova, Avita, Alustra, or other brands of Tretinoin). 7-10 days after the microneedling procedure, most patients notice that their skin is smoother and more radiant. Follow up and repeat treatment in 4 weeks. For best results, a series of 3-5 treatments is recommended.

Please let us know if you:

• Have taken any antibiotics two weeks prior to your appointment
• Used Retinol, Retinoid, Tretinoin or any active ingredients (Glycolic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide, Salicylic Acid) two weeks prior to your appointment
• Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®) six months prior to your appointment
• Avoid sun exposure within two weeks from appointment
• Don’t wax or pluck hair four to five weeks prior
• Are breastfeeding or pregnant
• Refrain from using tinted or regular lotion in the treatment area