CO2Laser-pre-post-care

✚ Pre-Treatment

• Follow prescribed pre-treatment medications.
• Start Valtrex 1 day before, with history of herpes sores.
• Avoid sun exposure and tanning for 2 weeks prior.
• Expect 7 to 10 days of downtime.

✚ Aftercare Supplies Required

• Aquaphor Healing Ointment (for days 1-3)
• CeraVe Face Moisturizer (start on 4th days)
• Cetaphil Gentle Face Wash
• Cetaphil Antibacterial soap
• Baking soda, for saok washes
• White Vinegar, for soak washes
• Square Gauze Pads for Vinegar Soak
• Tylenol, Benadryl, Ice packs
• Telfa Non-Adherent Dressing (for some areas)

✚ Treatment Day

• Treated area feel like sandpaper, the becomes dry and tight.
• Manage the discomfort area with OTC pain relievers.
• Avoid certain pain relievers (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin).
• Use cold compresses for swelling.
• use Claritin daytime, and Benadryl at night for itching,
• use Triamcinolon ointent with aquaphore to reduce discomfort.
• Sleep with head elevated.
• Continue prescribed medications.

✚ Aftercare Medications

• Anti-virals (Valtrex), with history of herpes soars,
• Anti-Bacterials, to prevent skin infections,
• Triamcinolone Ointment - Topical anti-inflammatory,
• Prednisone course, to reduce swelling.

✚ Post-Treatment Days 1-3

• Gently cleanse 3 times daily with water and gentle cleanser.
• Use white vinegar or backing soda soaks to help healing.
• Apply Aquaphor generously, keep skin hydrated.
• Avoid exercise, Saunas, hot environments, direct sun exposure.

✚ Post-Treatment Days 4-7

• Continue cleansing with Cetaphil Gentle Face Wash.
• Stop Aquaphor, Start CeraVe moisuturizing cream (day #4).
• Avoid makeup and direct sun exposure.
• Maintain sun protection with SPF 50+ sunscreen, and hats.
• No exfoliation or peels for 3 months.

✚ Activities After Week-1

• After 1st week, most activities can resume, except sun exposure.
• Avoid waxing, micro-dermabrasion, exfoliation, or peels for 3 months.
• Stay out of the sun or tanning for 4 weeks.
• After skin heals, you can wear makeup.
• Mineral or hypoallergenic makeup is suitable for sensitive skin.
• Use daily sunblock to prevent discoloration from sunlight.
• Contact the office if signs of infection appear.

✚ Healing After Week-1

• Clients experience some swelling and redness for 5-7 days.
• Skin feels like sanpaper and sunburn;
• Most Grid marks on the face from laser disappear with 10 days.
• Continue using Cetaphil Gentle Face Wash for 7 days.
• DO NOT scratch, pick, or rub the skin vigorously.
• Use fragrance-free moisturizer (CeraVe) from day #4.
• Do not use other creams, lotions on treated skin.
• Start sunscreen after 5th day with Cerave cream.

✚ Skin Pinkness After Week-1

• Pinkness is common after laser treatment.
• It's a sign of new skin formation.
• Duration varies; longer pinkness may mean better results.
• Extreme or prolonged pinkness suggests aggressive rubbing, irritating substances, or improper products.
• Be cautious with what you apply to sensitive skin.

✚ General Recommendations

• Avoid sun exposure for 3-6 months.
• Use protective hat and sunscreen.
• Avoid exfoliating products.
• Be cautious with makeup.

✚ Hypo-Allergenic Makeup

• No7 Beauty
• Almay
• Physician Formula
• Anastasia Beverly Hills
• Baby shampoo

✚ Madonna Eyelift Aftercare

• Wear sunglasses.
• Expect temporary blurry vision.
• Avoid contact lenses.
• Don't drive with blurry vision.
• Use prescribed eye drops.
• Use cold compresses.
• Clean eyelids with saline solution.
• Call the doctor for complications.

✚ Soaking and Washing Skin

• Prepare soaking solution with either:
  • Vinegar soak: 1 teaspoon white vinegar in 1 cup of cold water, OR
  • Baking Soda soak: 1 teaspoon baking soda in 1 cup water
• Avoid picking & excessive scrubbing!
• Gently wash with Cetaphil Antibacterial soap.
• Repeat soak washes for 10 minute several times during the day.
• Use Triamcinolone ointment 0.1% with Aquaphore on (days 1-3)
• Transition from Aquaphor to CeraVe cream on day #4
• Expect flaky, dry, and brown skin for the first week.