Patient Resource
Before & Aftercare Instructions
Please review the appropriate pre- and post-treatment instructions for your scheduled service. These guidelines support proper healing, reduce complications, and optimize outcomes. If you have questions, contact our office prior to your appointment.
Injectables
Before Your Appointment
• Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before treatment
• Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements for 5–7 days unless prescribed
• Arrive with clean skin and no makeup
After Your Appointment
• Stay upright and avoid lying flat for 4 hours
• Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours
• Avoid excessive heat (sauna, hot yoga, hot tubs) for 24 hours
• Avoid rubbing, massaging, or applying heavy pressure to treated areas
• Avoid wearing tight hats or headbands for the rest of the day
• Mild swelling, redness, or small bumps at the injection sites are normal and typically resolve within a few hours
• Small bruises or mild headache may occur and usually resolve within several days
Results & Follow-Up
• Results begin to appear within several days
• Full results take up to 14 days
• If a dose adjustment is needed, follow-up appointments are scheduled between days 14–21
Before Your Appointment
• Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before treatment
• Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements for 5–7 days unless prescribed
• If you are prone to cold sores, notify us prior to treatment
• Avoid dental procedures and vaccines for 2 weeks before or after treatment
• Arrive with clean skin and no makeup
After Your Appointment
• Do not apply makeup for the remainder of the day
• Expect swelling and possible bruising
• Swelling may peak within the first 24–48 hours
• Apply ice gently and intermittently to reduce swelling
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be taken if needed for discomfort
• Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours
• Avoid excessive heat (sauna, hot yoga, hot tubs) for 24–48 hours
• Avoid rubbing, massaging, or applying pressure to treated areas unless instructed
• Sleep with your head elevated the first night if possible
Healing & Follow-Up
• Mild tenderness or firmness is normal during healing
• Minor asymmetry can occur while swelling resolves
• Filler can take up to 30 days to fully settle
• Follow-up appointments, if needed, are scheduled between weeks 4–5
• Contact our office immediately if you experience increasing pain, pale skin in the treated area, or changes in vision
Before Your Appointment
• Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before treatment
• Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements for 5–7 days unless prescribed
• Avoid dental procedures for 2 weeks before or after treatment
• Avoid vaccinations for 2 weeks before or after treatment
• Arrive with clean skin and no makeup
After Your Appointment
• Expect swelling in the treated areas for several days
• Swelling immediately after treatment is primarily from sterile water used during preparation and will subside
• Apply ice gently and intermittently to reduce swelling
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be taken if needed for discomfort
• Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours
• Avoid excessive heat (sauna, hot yoga, hot tubs) for 24–48 hours
Massage Instructions
• Follow the 5-5-5 rule: massage the treated areas for 5 minutes, 5 times per day, for 5 days
• Apply firm but comfortable pressure when massaging
• Use clean hands and a gentle moisturizer to reduce friction
• Massage evenly over the entire treated area, not just at injection points
Healing & Results
• Small lumps or firmness can occur and typically soften with massage
• Bruising is possible and usually resolves within several days
• Results develop gradually as collagen production increases
• Visible improvement may take several weeks
• Full results are typically assessed after a series of treatments as recommended
• Contact our office if you notice persistent or worsening lumps that do not improve with massage
Before Your Appointment
• Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before treatment
• Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements for 5–7 days unless prescribed
• Avoid dental procedures and vaccinations for 2 weeks before or after treatment
• Arrive with clean skin and no makeup
During Treatment
• Local anesthetic (injectable lidocaine) is used for comfort
• Temporary swelling immediately after treatment is expected due to anesthetic and normal treatment response
After Your Appointment
• Expect swelling and bruising, which may be more noticeable than with other injectables
• Bruising may last 1–2 weeks
• Mild soreness or tenderness is normal
• Temporary fullness may decrease as anesthetic wears off
• Apply ice gently and intermittently during the first 24–48 hours
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be taken if needed
• Avoid strenuous exercise for 48 hours
• Avoid excessive heat (sauna, hot yoga, hot tubs) for 48 hours
• Avoid makeup for the remainder of the day
Healing & Results
• Temporary firmness or uneven texture may occur during healing
• Improvement develops gradually as collagen remodeling occurs
• Final results may take several weeks to assess
• Contact our office if you experience increasing pain, spreading redness, warmth, drainage, or other signs of infection
Before Your Appointment
• Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before treatment
• Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements for 5–7 days unless prescribed
• Stay well hydrated prior to your appointment
• Eat normally before your visit
• Arrive with clean skin and no makeup
During Treatment
• A small blood sample is drawn and processed to isolate platelet-rich plasma or fibrin
• Local anesthetic may be used for comfort
After Your Appointment
• Expect swelling, redness, and possible bruising
• Swelling may peak within the first 24–48 hours
• PRF may create temporary fullness that improves as swelling resolves
• Under-eye treatments may appear more swollen in the morning and gradually improve throughout the day
• Apply ice gently and intermittently if needed
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be taken for discomfort
• Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours
• Avoid excessive heat (sauna, hot yoga, hot tubs) for 24–48 hours
• Avoid makeup for the remainder of the day
Healing & Results
• Mild tenderness or firmness may occur during healing
• Results develop gradually as collagen production increases
• Visible improvement may take several weeks
• A series of treatments may be recommended for optimal results
• Contact our office if you experience increasing pain, spreading redness, warmth, or signs of infection
Skin Health
Before Your Appointment
5 Days Before
• Stop using retinol, tretinoin, and exfoliating acids
• Avoid waxing, threading, or depilatory creams in the treatment area
• Limit sun exposure and avoid tanning
Day of Treatment
• Arrive with clean skin and no makeup
• Notify us of recent sun exposure, cold sores, or active breakouts
Healing & Results
• Skin may darken before peeling begins
• Peeling or flaking typically occurs within 3–7 days
• Do not pick or exfoliate
• Apply petrolatum (Vaseline) to areas that become raw or cracked
• Keep skin moisturized and wear broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily
• Ibuprofen may be taken for discomfort if needed
• A non-drowsy antihistamine such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) or fexofenadine (Allegra) may help with itching or redness
• Visible brightening occurs once peeling has resolved
• A series of treatments is recommended for pigment correction
• Contact our office if you experience increasing pain, blistering, spreading redness, or signs of infection
Before Your Appointment
• Stop using retinol, tretinoin, and exfoliating acids 3–5 days prior
• Avoid harsh or irritating skincare products
• Avoid waxing, threading, or chemical peels in the treatment area for 5–7 days
• Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before treatment
• Arrive with clean skin and no makeup
• Notify us if you have a history of cold sores
After Your Appointment
• Redness and warmth similar to a sunburn are normal for 24–48 hours
• Mild swelling, dryness, or tightness may occur
• Do not apply makeup for at least 24 hours
• Avoid strenuous exercise and excessive heat for 24–48 hours
• Use only gentle cleanser and lukewarm water
• Apply a gentle, non-active moisturizer as needed
• Avoid picking, scrubbing, or exfoliating
• Use broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be taken if needed for discomfort.
Healing & Results
• Light flaking or dryness may occur within several days
• Resume active skincare products once irritation has resolved
• Improvement develops gradually over several months as collagen production increases
• Collagen remodeling occurs gradually over several months
• A series of treatments is required to achieve optimal results
Before Your Appointment
3–5 Days Before
• Avoid sun exposure and tanning
• Discontinue retinol, tretinoin, and exfoliating acids
• Avoid waxing or depilatory creams in the treatment area
Day of Treatment
• Arrive with clean skin and no makeup
• Notify us of recent sun exposure, cold sores, or active irritation
After Your Appointment
• Treated spots may darken immediately
• Mild redness and swelling are normal
• Small crusts or scabs will typically form within 24–48 hours
• Do not apply makeup over treated areas until fully healed
• Avoid strenuous exercise and excessive heat for 24 hours
• Avoid direct sun exposure
• Wear broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily
• Cleanse gently with lukewarm water only
• Apply a very thin layer of petrolatum (Vaseline) only if needed for dryness
• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be taken if needed
Healing & Results
• Crusting typically resolves in 5–10 days
• Do not pick, scratch, or remove crusts
• Picking significantly increases risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
• Clearance may require multiple sessions depending on lesion depth and type
Laser Therapy
Before Your Appointment
3–5 Days Before
• Avoid sun exposure and tanning
• Avoid self-tanner
• Discontinue retinol, tretinoin, and exfoliating acids
• Avoid waxing or depilatory creams in the treatment area
Day of Treatment
• Arrive with clean skin and no makeup
• Notify us of recent sun exposure, cold sores, or active irritation
After Your Appointment
• Redness and mild swelling are common and usually resolve within several days
• Treated vessels may appear darker or slightly raised immediately after treatment
• Mild bruising or purplish discoloration may occur depending on vessel size and settings
• Avoid strenuous exercise and excessive heat for 24 hours
• Avoid direct sun exposure
• Wear broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily
• Use gentle cleanser and lukewarm water only
• Apply a gentle moisturizer as needed
• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be taken if needed for discomfort.
Healing & Results
• Treated vessels gradually fade as the body reabsorbs them
• Clearance may take several weeks
• Small scabs may form over treated areas
• Do not pick or scratch treated spots
• If small blisters develop, apply a thin layer of petrolatum (Vaseline) and keep the area clean
• Contact our office if you experience increasing pain, spreading redness, or signs of infection
• Multiple sessions are often recommended depending on vessel depth and size
Before Your Appointment
5–7 Days Before
• Avoid sun exposure and tanning
• Avoid self-tanner
• Discontinue retinol, tretinoin, and exfoliating acids
• Avoid waxing or depilatory creams in the treatment area
Day of Treatment
• Apply a thin, even layer of prescription numbing cream to the treatment area 1 hour before your appointment
• Notify us of recent sun exposure, cold sores, or active irritation
After Your Appointment
• Redness and warmth similar to a mild sunburn are normal for 24–48 hours
• Mild swelling may occur, especially under the eyes
• Treated pigment may darken temporarily before flaking off
• Avoid direct sun exposure for 7–10 days
• Wear broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily
• Use gentle cleanser and lukewarm water only
• Apply a gentle moisturizer as needed
• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be taken if needed for discomfort
Healing & Results
• Darkened pigment may appear as small darker spots before gradually flaking away
• Flaking typically occurs within 5–10 days
• Do not pick or scratch treated areas
• If small blisters develop, apply a thin layer of petrolatum (Vaseline) and keep the area clean
• Contact our office if blisters become painful, enlarge, or show signs of infection
• Visible improvement occurs as pigment clears over several days to weeks
• A series of treatments is recommended for optimal results
Before Your Appointment
2–4 Weeks Before
• Do not wax, tweeze, or thread the treatment area
3–5 Days Before
• Avoid sun exposure and tanning
• Avoid self-tanner
• Discontinue retinol, tretinoin, and exfoliating acids in the treatment area
Day of Appointment
• Shave the treatment area
• Do not apply lotions, oils, or deodorant to the area on the day of treatment
After Your Appointment
• Mild redness and small bumps around hair follicles are normal
• The treated area may feel warm for several hours
• Avoid direct sun exposure
• Wear broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily if the area is exposed
• Use gentle cleanser and lukewarm water
• Apply a gentle moisturizer as needed
Healing & Results
• Laser hair removal reduces hair growth; it does not permanently eliminate all hair
• Treated hairs will shed gradually over 10–14 days
• Do not pluck or wax between treatments
• Shaving is permitted
• Hair grows in cycles; multiple sessions are required for optimal reduction
• Contact our office if you experience blistering, crusting, or signs of infection
5–7 Days Before
• Avoid sun exposure and tanning
• Avoid self-tanner
• Discontinue retinol, tretinoin, and exfoliating acids
• Avoid waxing or depilatory creams in the treatment area
Day of Treatment
• Arrive well hydrated and eat a normal meal prior to your appointment
• Do not arrive fasting
• Arrive with clean skin and no makeup
• Notify us of recent sun exposure, cold sores, or active irritation
• Topical anesthetic will be applied in office prior to treatment
After Your Appointment
• Skin will be red, swollen, and may feel hot or tight
• Oozing or pinpoint bleeding may occur during the first 24 hours
• Mild to moderate swelling is expected
• Apply cool compresses as needed during the first 24–48 hours for comfort
• Cleanse gently as instructed
• Apply a generous layer of petrolatum (Vaseline) to keep skin continuously moist
• Do not allow treated areas to dry out
• Avoid strenuous exercise and heat for 48 hours
• Avoid direct sun exposure for at least 2 weeks
• Do not apply makeup until the skin has fully re-epithelialized
Healing & Results
• Crusting or peeling typically occurs within 3–7 days
• Redness may persist for several weeks depending on treatment depth
• Do not pick or manually remove flaking skin
• Continue frequent Vaseline application until healing is complete
• Strict daily SPF 30+ is required once healing allows
• Visible improvement develops gradually as new collagen forms
• Contact our office immediately if you experience increasing pain, spreading redness, drainage, fever, or other signs of infection
Hormone Optimization
Before Your Appointment
Day of Treatment
• Eat a normal meal prior to your appointment
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing
• Notify us of any infection, illness, or irritation near the insertion site
After Your Appointment
Dressing Care
The insertion site is covered with:
• Steri-strip directly over the incision
• Gauze pad
• Breathable Tegaderm seal
Removal Instructions
• Remove Tegaderm and gauze after 24 hours
• Remove sooner if it becomes wet, the seal is compromised, or fluid accumulates
• After removing Tegaderm, you may cover with a plain Band-Aid
• Leave the steri-strip in place for 5 days or until it falls off naturally
• If the steri-strip falls off before day 5, cover the area with a Band-Aid until day 5
Water & Activity
• Showering is permitted after 24 hours
• Do not scrub the site for approximately 7 days
• Avoid baths, hot tubs, and pools for 5–7 days
Activity Restrictions (First 5 Days)
• Avoid strenuous lower-body exercise
• Avoid heavy lifting or core-focused workouts
• Avoid repetitive twisting movements
• Avoid direct pressure over the insertion site
What Is Normal
• Mild swelling for 1–3 days due to anesthetic
• Bruising, redness, or tenderness for up to 2–3 weeks
• Pink or blood-tinged spotting on the dressing
If You Notice
• Itching or redness: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 25–50 mg every 6 hours may be used (may cause drowsiness)
• Bleeding: Apply firm pressure for 5 minutes
• Contact our office immediately if you have persistent bleeding, increasing redness, warmth, drainage, fever, or pus
• If you feel a firm pellet at the surface of the skin or notice the incision reopening, contact our office
Patient Safety
If you experience unexpected symptoms or concerns, contact our office directly. In the event of an emergency, seek immediate medical care.