• Please take Tylenol®, Motrin® or Advil® as needed and directed by the manufacturer for pain. If medication does not help the symptoms, please call our office at 704.370.2700.

5. If choosing to use topical anesthetic, use sparingly and with care, especially over large body parts. Must degrease and wash off thoroughly prior to treatment. If doing legs, back, etc, please arrive about 30 minutes prior to appt for application and monitoring.

6. Discontinue any OTC or prescription exfoliants or medications containing retinoid, retinoic acid, salicylic acid, or granulated beads 10 days prior to appointment.

7. Make the provider aware of any new medications or medication changes.

8. Make the medical provider aware if you have a history of cold sores/fever blisters, or if you are pregnant.

Post Treatment:
1. Must wear 30-70 SPF after treatment and during the course of treatments. If out in the sun for prolong periods, reapply SPF of at least 50 every 2 hours.

2. Hair will start to shed at around 3 weeks post treatment. May shave or use washcloth to gently exfoliate.

3. May reapply deodorant, or make up after treatment.

4. Avoid direct sun exposure/tanning for at least 2 weeks prior.

5. May use cool compress post treatment for comfort.

6. Redness may last 2-5 hours up to several days.

5. RECENTLY TANNED SKIN CANNOT BE TREATED! If treated within 2 weeks of active(natural sunlight or tanning booth) tanning, you may develop hypopigmentation (white spots) after treatment and this may not clear for 2-3 months.

6. The use of self tanning skin care products must be discontinued one week before treatment. Any residual self tanner must be removed prior to treatment.

Intraoperative Care:
1. The skin is cleaned thoroughly prior to treatment. A topical anesthetic may be used.

2. When treating the upper lip, the teeth may be protected with moist white gauze. The gauze also serves to support the lip during treatment, allowing a surface to push against.

3. The DCD (cryogen skin cooling) device may be used during the laser treatment.

4. Safety considerations are important during the laser procedure. Protective eye wear will be worn by the patient and all personnel in the operative suite during the procedure to reduce the chance of damage to the eye.

Your provider will take all necessary precautions to ensure your safety.

Post Treatment:
1. Immediately after treatment, there should be mild erythema (redness) and mild edema (swelling) at the treatment site, which may last up to 2 hours, or longer. The erythema may last up to 2-3 days. The treated area will feel like a sunburn for a few hours after treatment. Some patients note that their skin feels pleasantly warm after treatment.

2. Your provider may use an optional cooling method after treatment to ensure your comfort.

3. Your provider will inform you when you may resume the use of your usual skin care products. Makeup may be used after the treatment as long as the skin is not irritated.

4. Avoid sun exposure to reduce the chance of hyperpigmentation (darker pigmentation).

5. Use sunblock (SPF 30 or higher) at all times throughout the course of treatment.

6. Avoid picking or scratching the treated skin.

7. There are no restrictions on bathing except to treat the skin gently, as if you had a sunburn, for the first 24 hours.

8. The laser treatment is often performed 4-5 times at monthly intervals for best results. You may notice immediate as well as longer term improvements in your skin.

9. Call us at 704.370.2700 with any questions or concerns.

Post Treatment:
1. Avoid sunlight or bright indoor lighting for the next 48 hours.

2. If you must go outside, wear light blocking clothing and hats. SPF does not protect the skin during this time frame.

3. Keep skin well moisturized. Top with Cetaphil® Moisturizing Cream as needed for dryness.

4. Use a 1% topical hydrocortisone lotion 2-3 times a day for redness.

5. Use cool compresses as needed for swelling.

6. Use vinegar and water soaks to help burning and tingling.

7. Mix 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to 2 cups cool water.
Soak washcloth and apply to face as needed. Tylenol or Advil may be taken according to manufacturer’s recommendations for tenderness or discomfort.

8. Daily use of SPF #30 or higher is recommended.

After treatment you may experience the following:
1. Peeling or flaking of the skin.

2. Redness

3. Dark spots

4. Swelling

5. Stinging/burning-usually lasts 24 hours.

6. Tenderness

These effects usually resolve in 5-7 days and will be completely resolved in 3-4 weeks.
If you experience the following, please call us immediately at 704.370.2700:
• Severe pain
• Open, weeping skin
• Blisters

Helpful Hints:
1. You must stay out of the sun and bright indoor light for 48 hours (no exceptions). SPF does not protect the skin during this time frame.

2. You will be very red and flaky with occasional swelling (similar to the look after a light to moderate TCA peel).

3. The redness, flakiness of the skin, etc. will last for 5 days.

4. You usually look the worst after the first treatment, but some patients may look the worst after the second treatment.

5. Most patients require 3 treatments, but on occasion some patients will only need one or two treatments.

6. Retreat every 3-4 weeks.

• Come to the appointment with a clean face if possible, which includes no moisturizer/sunscreen. If not able to, we will have items available to wash your face, but arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the appointment time.

What to expect during and immediately after your dermal fillers treatment:RADIESSE®, Belotero®, and Juvederm XC® are dermal fillers that are injected into the skin to soften creases or folds, support areas of volume loss or contour specific facial areas. Local numbing medication may be used to maximize your comfort during the procedure. Most patients report a mild discomfort typically associated with needle injections. You may experience a mild to moderate amount of stinging or aching sensation post injection.To ensure an even correction the physician will massage the area treated, which may cause a temporary, minimal to moderate amount of redness to your skin.Bruising at the site of injection is a commonly reported side effect. To minimize bruising, inform your provider if you use blood thinners such as ibuprofen, aspirin or herbal preparations prior to your procedure.

Temporary minimal to moderate swelling can be expected, which should dissipate following injection. Some patients report dramatic reduction in swelling hours after their treatment.

It is normal to experience some tenderness at the treatment site for a few days.Post Treatment:
• Apply an ice pack or cold compress to the injection area after treatment to help reduce swelling. If swelling or redness persists too long, please contact us at 704.370.2700.

• It is normal to feel “firmness” in your injection area for the first few days after treatment. Over time, the area will soften, leaving you a soft, natural looking result.

• Many patients return to their normal routine/activities immediately, but you should check with your physician for his/her recommendation.

• Make-up may be applied shortly after treatment if no complications are present. Apply make-up gently, avoiding strenuous rubbing of the injection area.

• The injection area may also be gently washed a few hours after treatment, avoiding aggressive scrubbing or rubbing.

• Sunbathing, or excessive UV exposure should be avoided until the redness or swelling have subsided.

• Immediately report any worsening or persistent symptoms or side effects to us by calling 704.370.2700.

5. Avoid exposure to the sun. If sun exposure is expected, apply an SPF 30 or higher sunblock to prevent pigmentation changes until the lesion is healed.

Care of the treated area(s):
1. Apply hydrocortisone 1% ointment to the treated area 2-3 times a day as long as the bruising/red discoloration (purpura) is present. If there is no discoloration or scabbing, a moisturizer may be used daily. It is important to keep the area moist until healed.

2. Showers are permitted, but gently pat the area dry. Do not rub with a towel or washcloth as the area is extremely delicate while the bruising/red discoloration (purpura) is present. If the legs are treated, avoid taking a bath during the first 48 hours, as the intense heat may cause additional discomfort. Comfortably warm showers are recommended.

3. Any discomfort you may have (usually not lasting more than a few hours, if any) can be relieved with acetaminophen (Tylenol) and/or by applying ice or cold compresses to the affected area(s).

4. After the red discoloration disappears, hyperpigmentation (brown coloring) or hypopigmentation (white) may be present for up to 3-5 months. This is rare but if it occurs, use an SPF 30 sunblock on the area until the normal color returns.

5. If any scabbing or crusting is present, avoid contact sports during healing to prevent injury to the treated site.

6. Swelling and/or puffiness of the area may be experienced. This can be relieved by applying ice or cold compresses to the affected area(s).