Skin Resurfacing in Red Deer

In order to increase the effects of the treatment and help manage irritation and discomfort we recommend the following:

• If you have ever had a cold sore, be sure to tell the clinician so you can get a prescription for an anti-viral. You must start taking the anti-viral two days before the procedure.
• Do not over-expose your skin to the sun two weeks before the procedure. Tanning is not advised at least 2 weeks before the procedure.
• Do not consume alcohol on the day of the procedure. It will increase inflammation and possibly increase discomfort.
• Come to the office with a clean face, no eye makeup, no sunscreen, and no lotion.
• Be sure to be on time—at least one hour before your procedure is scheduled to have a topical anesthetic applied. If you are just having a spot procedure this may not be necessary but check with your physician/technician to be sure.
• Be prepared for swollen eyes, crustiness, peeling, and itching for several days after the procedure. Day-by-day improvement is exciting, but the first 4 to 5 days are a bit disconcerting. Be sure to read the post-procedure care and comply with all the instructions before you commit to the treatment.
• You will be advised on the products to use on your skin after the laser resurfacing treatment. Do not use any active or harsh products for at least 10 to 14 days after this treatment. The surface skin is brand new and needs to totally normalize before using most products you may be currently using. Sunblock should be used after the first 10 days to protect the new skin. Sun exposure should be avoided until sunblock can be used.
• Any other directions specifically related to your individual skin conditions will be given to you at the time of treatment.

It’s important to note that patient response can vary after a laser resurfacing treatment. Following your skin treatment our team wants to help you feel your best and accelerate the recovery process:

• Erythema (redness) and possibly edema (swelling) are the desired responses within a few minutes after the procedure.
• Redness normally persists for 24 hours to 5 days depending upon the depth of the skin resurfacing.
• Swelling is typically a short-term response. The use of a cold compress or ice packs will help to relieve the swelling. To avoid further swelling, you may choose to sleep in an upright position the first night after the treatment.
• If an anti-viral was prescribed, please continue to take it as directed.
• Post-treatment discomfort may be relieved by oral pain relievers, e.g., Extra Strength Tylenol.
• A cold compress or ice pack can be used to provide comfort if the treated area is especially warm. This therapy is typically only needed within the first 12 hours following treatment.
• Cleanse your skin twice a day with a gentle cleanser using your hands and pat dry with a soft cloth.
• After cleansing your face, reapply an occlusive barrier, such as Aquaphor, taking care to cover all treated areas. The occlusive barrier is needed to hold moisture into the skin and provide protection to the skin from pollutants in the air as the skin heals.
• As a rule of thumb, the occlusive barrier is needed 1 day per 10 microns of skin treated or once the skin has re-epithelialized. For example: a 20-micron MLP = 2 days of wearing the occlusive barrier. Reapply the occlusive barrier as needed. Do not allow the treated area to dry out.
• Peeling and flaking generally occur within 24 hours post-treatment and should be allowed to come off naturally. Do not pick, rub, or force off any skin during the healing process, as it could result in scarring and infection. Gently washing the skin more frequently will help to promote the peeling process.
• Avoid direct sunlight for up to 2 months post-treatment.
• Once the skin has healed (no longer wearing the occlusive barrier), you may begin to use a bland moisturizer and wear makeup. If you are able to wear makeup, sunblock should be worn daily to help prevent any hyperpigmentation issues that could be caused by direct and indirect sunlight.
• When showering, be sure to wash your hair behind you to avoid getting shampoo directly on the treated area.
• Avoid strenuous exercise and sweating until after the skin has healed.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our team.