What to expect on the day?

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Most people find the treatment very tolerable and report 4/10 pain at most. If you are worried about the pain we can apply numbing cream for an extra charge (this must be booked in to allow time for the numbing cream to work). On the day your skin will be cleaned (please do not wear make-up), and several shots, each lasting a fraction of a second, are placed in rows to cover the whole area being treated. The length of the treatment will depend on the area being treated and the intensity of the treatment. A full face treatment might take 30 minutes, whilst a peri-orbital treatment might only take 5-10 minutes.

A tiny sting and heat might be felt with each shot. Afterwards the skin will be red and swollen and feel like a sunburn. This might last an hour or two with a light treatment, while it could last up to 24 hours with a more intense treatment. Tiny grid marks (microcrusts) will be visible once the redness settles, these can be present for 3-5 days before flaking off (longer with more intense treatments). You will be given aftercare instructions but in general you might need to keep the skin hydrated with a recommended ointment or balm for 24 (to 48 hours, if treatment was more intense), avoid make up for at least 24 hours, and avoid using active ingredients for 72 hours.

It is imperative to avoid excessive sun exposure and use regular sunblock application.

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Pre treatment prep:

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• Avoid waxing, laser or IPL hair removal, depilatory creams and electrolysis the week prior. Stop prescription retinol (topical vitamin A) or Hydroquinone (whitening creams) 3 days prior -or as advised.

• Avoid excess sun exposure and solariums for 2 weeks prior, avoid fake tanning from 3 days prior.

• Cease other active ingredients like exfoliants or retinol 2-3 days prior, as advised.

• Come to your appointment with no make up on

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Post treatment aftercare:

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• Treatment intensity can be adjusted – the skin reaction afterwards will depend upon the intensity of the settings selected, which we would have discussed with you prior to treatment.

• The skin will feel red, hot and swollen like sunburn. With milder treatments the intensity of the heat settles after an hour or two, while it might take a day or two with more intense treatments. Eyelids may swell for a few hours, or up to a day or two in some, but do not apply cold packs as it can reduce the thermal benefits of the treatment. Sleeping on two pillows will aid with the swelling and swelling decreases once your upright and the day progresses.

• Antihistamines may be used if necessary.

• Once redness settles fine microcrusts may be visible for 3-7 days before flaking off, but can take longer with more intense (ablative) treatments. Skin will feel dry and like sandpaper, apply recommended moisturiser as needed, but DO NOT rub or peel crusting off, as it will impair the healing process.

• Around 1 week you may gently exfoliate just using a facecloth.

• The skin remains porous(open) for 4-6 hours post treatment, so only use recommended products during this time.

• Treatment close to the lip may induce the reappearance of cold sores, we recommend the use of Lyscine for 5 days pre and post treatment, and Famvir (1500mg) on the treatment day.

• Avoid overheating the skin (hot showers, saunas, direct sunlight, exercise), as well as avoiding irritants like spray tans, perfumes and chlorine.

• Use a gentle cleanser and avoid active ingredients (Vitamin A derivatives, Vitamin C and exfoliative ingredients) until skin feels back to normal. Skin hydration and SPF are essential. Restart your active skin care gradually. After a week or so of normal skin, slowly introduce Vitamin A at night. Recommence Vitamin C in the mornings as tolerated.

• Mineral make up can be applied 24-48hr post treatment – depending on the treatment intensity – as advised on the day of treatment.

• Avoid anti-inflammatory medication as they interfere with the natural inflammatory process needed for optimum skin rejuvenation.

• Avoid dermal treatments like microdermabrasion, chemical peels, ipl, skin needling or dermal rolling for 2-4 weeks, if in doubt – ask us.

• Avoid sun exposure, SPF use is essential.

• Results will become visible over time, note for treating eyelid laxity we recommend 5-6 treatments. We advise treatment every 6-12 months to maintain results.

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