what to do before fraxel treatment

Preparing for Your Fraxel Treatment

• Schedule a Consultation. The first thing you want to do when considering Fraxel is to schedule a consultation with a...
• Stop Smoking. One thing that your esthetician or surgeon will recommend doing before treatment is to stop smoking if...
• Stay Out of the Sun. The sun is another thing you’ll want to avoid as much as you can before your...

Full Answer

What should I do before Fraxel re-pair?

Get ready for lots of compliments after you heal. Before Fraxel re:pair, you need to: Not tan for two weeks. Stay off of all exfoliating treatments. Take Valtrex, an antibiotic, and a topical steroid cream beginning the day before your treatment.

What should I avoid after Fraxel treatment?

Also, avoid strenuous exercise for three to four days after your treatment to reduce the amount of sweating in your face. Sweating can irritate your skin and cause excessive itching and irritation. Also, Fraxel treatments cause puffiness, and exercising can promote even further swelling.

When is the best time of year to get Fraxel treatment?

Some experts suggest planning to get your Fraxel treatment during the cooler months. While you will still need to take precautions such as wearing sunscreen and avoiding direct sun exposure, time spent outside is typically limited in the cooler times of the year.

Can you go in the Sun after Fraxel treatment?

According to the Fraxel website, direct sun exposure is a no-go after your treatment. The site suggests wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. It also states that patients should avoid direct sun exposure for about three months after the last treatment.

What should I do to prepare for Fraxel?

How to Prepare for Fraxel Laser TreatmentStop all other acne treatments at least three weeks before treatment, especially topical retinoids (Retin-A and derivatives)Ensure that you don't have any major breakouts, open sores, or infections on your face.Avoid caffeine and alcohol on the day of the treatment.More items...

What should you not do before Fraxel laser?

It is critical that you are not using topical or oral steroids (creams or pills), retinoids (topical or oral) prior to your Fraxel procedure. Discontinue using skincare products containing glycolic acid, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and abrasive scrubs for at least 2 weeks prior to your procedure.

What should I do before and after Fraxel?

After cleansing, apply a liberal layer of Aquaphor® moisturizer to the treated area. redness and swelling. To reduce pain, you may take Tylenol® 500mg, one or two tablets, every 6 hours. After 3 days, you may begin gently cleansing the treated area with Riversol® gel cleanser twice a day.

Do I need to shave before Fraxel?

Don't Be Rough with Your Skin You don't want to cause scars or discoloration, so be gentle with your skin. If you need to remove any unwanted hair, gently shave or tweeze, but definitely do not use depilatory creams or waxing.

Can Fraxel ruin your skin?

Because the Fraxel laser does damage your skin cells (in order for them to rejuvenate and improve your skin's appearance), you need to be certain to clean all treated areas several times a day – two to five, according to plasticsurgery.org – with saline or diluted vinegar solution, depending on your surgeon's ...

Can I take a shower after Fraxel?

Showers can be taken, but please try to avoid hot water and direct shower spray to the treatment area for 48-72 hours following treatment. Avoid all saunas and hot tubs. Avoid strenuous exercise for 48 hours (this includes hot yoga). Do not use any retinoid, RETIN-A or GLYCOLIC products for 1-2 weeks post-procedure.

What should I avoid after Fraxel laser?

Keep treated area clean; avoid smoking; excessive alcohol consumption, excessive exercise, perspiring, swimming, or exposing skin to heat and sun. All of your skin care products should be non-irritating and non-clogging for the first week or so after a Fraxel treatment.

Can I use vitamin C after Fraxel?

Topical vitamin C application reduces the injury of the skin's surface barrier after Fraxel laser and promotes restoration of skin pH. However, there is a limit with increasing skin lightness or decreasing skin redness.

How many days after Fraxel do you peel?

This dead skin is a normal result of laser treatment, and should start sloughing off 3 – 4 days after the treatment. Most patients complete this process 5 – 7 days after a treatment on the face. (On off-face areas, such as hands/arms, where healing is slower, the process may take up to 2 weeks.)

How do I wash my face after Fraxel?

Wash your face with warm water. (Hot water will not do any damage to your skin, but warm water will feel much nicer against the skin.) Make sure to apply ample sunscreen after washing face in the AM.

Can I shave 2 hours before laser?

When you're getting ready for your laser hair removal procedure, make sure you shave the night before or the morning of your treatment. The reason for this precaution is simple – you want to remove as much hair as possible so that it doesn't absorb most of the laser's energy.

Can I drink the night before Fraxel?

It is recommended that you avoid alcohol for 24 hours pre operatively.

Schedule a Consultation

The first thing you want to do when considering Fraxel is to schedule a consultation with a surgeon or esthetician. During your consultation, you’ll learn more about what to expect from Fraxel and whether the treatment will help treat the issues that primarily concern you.

Stop Smoking

One thing that your esthetician or surgeon will recommend doing before treatment is to stop smoking if you’re a smoker. You’ll want to avoid any type of tobacco product or products that contain nicotine starting a few weeks before your Fraxel treatment.

Stay Out of the Sun

The sun is another thing you’ll want to avoid as much as you can before your Fraxel treatment. It’s not just the aging effects of the sun that you’re trying to avoid before your treatment. You also want to avoid the tanning effects. It’s recommended that you don’t tan starting a few weeks before Fraxel.

Go Easy on Certain Topical Products

The weeks before Fraxel aren’t the time to amp up your skincare routine. Too many products too close to your treatment date can complicate things. Even if you’re having a non-ablative Fraxel treatment, it’s a good idea to skip using any skincare products that contain Retinol, glycolic acid or salicylic acid for a few weeks before treatment.

Skip the Wax

If you usually wax any part of your face, whether it’s the upper lip, eyebrow area or chin, it’s usually a good idea to skip your wax a few weeks before your treatment with Fraxel. Waxing can leave small abrasions in your skin, which can be particularly irritated by the laser treatment.

Prepare for Post-Fraxel Treatment Care

Along with avoiding some things before Fraxel, it’s a good idea to prepare for the recovery period after your treatment. You’ll most likely want to take a few days to a week off from work so that your skin has time to heal afterwards.

What Can Fraxel Lasers Treat?

Fraxel lasers can treat many skin concerns, but it’s best to seek a Fraxel laser treatment for a particular, single concern rather than overall rejuvenated skin. Some common concerns include fine lines, hyperpigmentation, sun damage, or acne scars. With a particular concern in mind, Dr.

What Do Fraxel Lasers Do?

Unlike some invasive, harsh laser treatments of the past, Fraxel lasers work by emitting thousands of micro-beams to the skin’s surface. Fraxel lasers may be ablative, meaning they cause tiny, micro-wounds in the skin, or non-ablative, meaning they work by heating the skin.

How Many Fraxel Laser Treatments Should I Have?

Fraxel laser treatments are very effective and work by stimulating the healing response, but overdoing your treatments can result in scarring. Most professionals recommend that you have no more than 3-5 Fraxel laser treatments, spaced at least a month apart. Dr. Kwan will recommend a treatment plan that will be most effective for you.

What Should I Do Before and After Fraxel Laser Treatment?

Before your Fraxel laser treatment, it’s important to maintain a consistent skincare routine to avoid any changes in your skin’s condition. Stick with the products you typically use for at least four weeks before and after the treatment, avoiding adding any new topical or oral medications or products.

Schedule a Consultation

To learn more about Fraxel laser treatments, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kwan at Kwan Dermatology in San Francisco, CA. Call (415) 217-3880 or request an appointment online to get started.

How is fraxel different from microneedling?

Fraxel and microneedling are similar in that both treatments use the idea of creating micro-injuries on your skin to help rebuild collagen, but the main difference is that Fraxel penetrates the skin more deeply than microneedling.

How long before retinol can I use salicylic acid?

According to Dr. Marmur, you'll need to stop using any product that can cause skin sensitivities a full 10 days before your treatment, along with 10 days after (that includes retinol, exfoliants, and acids, like glycolic acid or salicylic acid ).

Why do you need ablative lasers?

Ablative lasers are considered "wounding" lasers because they remove the outer layer of your skin and heat up the tissue underneath to stimulate new collagen production and fresh skin growth. As your skin peels off and heals (yup, the week of downtime afterward is no joke), your face will look significantly smoother, tighter, and fresher—basically, it's a takes-years-off-your-face laser. Examples of ablative lasers include CO2 (carbon dioxide) lasering and Erbium (aka YAG) lasering.

How long does a laser touch up last?

Dr. Nussbaum says you might need a touch-up with a Clear + Brilliant laser four to six months later, but usually one Fraxel session is enough to last you the year. With the 1550 wavelength (the one for smoothing texture), you usually need three to five treatments spaced four weeks apart. Dr.

How long does it take for a laser to work?

Listen, lasers don't exactly feel great, but the treatment itself is relatively quick—about 15 to 25 minutes, plus another 45 minutes for the topical anesthesia (numbing cream) to kick in before getting started. And since you'll be numbed up beforehand, Dr. Nussbaum says you'll likely only feel a little stinging.

What to put on face to help with heat?

If you desperately need to put something on your face to alleviate some of the heat, Dr. Nussbaum recommends making a 50/50 mixture of whole milk (because the lactic acid and fat help heal the skin) and ice water (because it's naturally soothing).

Is Fraxel ablative or nonablative?

Examples of non-ablative lasers include IPL (intense pulsed light) and PDL (pulsed dye). Fraxel, however , can be both non-ablative and ablative, depending on which type of Fraxel you (and your dermatologist) choose. Which brings us to...

Medication

You should discontinue any glycolic acid medication or retinoids 2 to 3 weeks prior to the procedure.

Face Cleansing

Before the surgery, it’s best if you don’t have a tan; ensure you wear sunblock.

Moisturizer and Sunscreen

As after the procedure, you will need special care you have to have all things ready for when you get home. You need a special nourishing cream for sensitive skin; your surgeon will recommend an efficient moisturizer. You also need sunscreen to protect your skin, as after the procedure it will be particularly sensitive.

How long before hydroquinone should I use?

Usually for darker skin we recommend using hydroquinone 2 weeks before treatment. You should avoid tanning and stop using any tough exfoliating product for 2 before treatment . It is recommended to take Valtrex as a preventive treatment if you have any cold sore history. You may also take some Vicodine or valium to minimize the pain and discomfort during the procedure. Most importantly you must use a sunblock after treatment. Best of Luck!

How long should I wait to use hydroquinone before tanning?

You should avoid tanning and stop using any harsh exfoliating product for two weeks as well. If you have a history of cold sores it is recommended to take Valtrex as a preventative treatment. To minimize the pain and discomfort during the procedure you can also take some vicodine or valium. Using a physical block sunscreen after the treatment is very important as well.

Why should the day of your treatment be exciting?

The day of your treatment should be exciting because it feels good to do something nice for yourself, Rachael says, but clients can have some treatment day nerves if it’s their first time.

How long does it take to resurface skin with laser?

Regardless of which Laser Resurfacing Treatment you have, you’ll need to prepare your skin for 2-4 weeks (depending on your history and skin type) with a pigment inhibiting serum to prevent the chance of PIH (Post-inflammatory pigmentation).

How to treat a swollen face?

The Rest of the Day After Treatment: 1 Your face will feel very warm. Soothe your skin by placing ice-packs (or bags of frozen vegetables) on the treated area for 20-minute increments throughout the rest of the day. 2 To prevent unnecessary swelling, keep your head elevated when lying down by using an additional pillow or two. 3 When looking at your skin up-close, you may notice a grid texture to your skin. This is completely normal, each of those microscopic dots represents an area of skin that was treated today. (The criss-cross pattern marks the actual path of the laser beam as it treated your skin.) 4 Make sure to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. (However, diuretics such as alcohol or caffeine should be avoided.) 5 If your skin feels tight or itchy, apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer* liberally, as many times as needed. (Leave your moisturizer and sunscreen in the refrigerator! It makes applications feel especially soothing.) 6 Your skin needs to be shielded from the sun. Sunscreen (at least SPF-30) is a must.

How long after a syringe treatment can you go back to your skin?

After Treatment: Two Weeks. You should be able to go back to your original skin care regimen a week after treatment. However, your skin will speak to you, and if your regular products cause irritation after a weeks’ time, you should abstain from using for another day or two.

What to do if your skin is itchy?

If your skin feels tight or itchy, apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer* liberally , as many times as needed. (Leave your moisturizer and sunscreen in the refrigerator! It makes applications feel especially soothing.) Your skin needs to be shielded from the sun. Sunscreen (at least SPF-30) is a must.

How long does it take for ice packs to warm up your face?

Your face will feel very warm. Soothe your skin by placing ice-packs (or bags of frozen vegetables) on the treated area for 20-minute increments throughout the rest of the day.

When to use Isolaz?

If Acne is a concern, we recommend an Isolaz treatment at the 2-week mark to ensure that your skin is thoroughly cleansed. * Some moisturizers, such as Vaseline or Aquaphor, are occlusive and too heavy for your skin. To prevent unnecessary clogged pores, our patients are free to run their moisturizer of choice by us.

Can you use cold compresses on your face?

For comfort’s sake, you are welcome to apply cold-compresses to your skin for as long as you like. If you are experiencing uncomfortable swelling, any over-the-counter anti-inflammatory (such as Aleve or Motrin) can be beneficial in reducing puffiness. (The most common areas of swelling are under the eyes and around the mouth.

Can you wax a skin peel?

The skin will slough off naturally as the healing progresses, and in the meantime any forced peeling can result in scarring or permanent discoloration. Gentle shaving or tweezing is fine, however please do not wax or use a depilatory cream on treated areas.

How long after a fraxel procedure can you exercise?

Also, Fraxel treatments cause puffiness, and exercising can promote even further swelling. Some experts say you can return to regular workouts 24-48 hours after your procedure while others suggest taking a week to 10 days off. Ask your doctor for instructions specific to you. See more patients ».

How to heal skin after a syringe?

Drinking lots of water to stay hydrated will help your skin heal properly after your procedure. But avoid drinking beverages with a diuretic effect, like coffee, alcohol, and caffeinated tea, since they will cause your body to eliminate that much-needed hydration.

How to remove flaking skin from face?

Instead, experts suggest gently removing peeling or flaking skin with tap water, petrolatum, and gauze a couple of times a day. Remember that this flaking and peeling is a sign that the treatment is working. Also, don’t skip moisturizing your skin.

How to make your skin not clog?

Change to a gentle moisturizer, if you usually use heavy emollients or solutions that include ingredients like retinol. Make sure that whatever moisturizer you use is light and gentle , and does not clog your pores. Remember to moisturize from the inside, too.

How to reduce swelling after a syringe?

Sleep with your head elevated to reduce puffiness. Take vitamin C after your procedure – it helps increase the production of collagen. Use cold compresses to reduce redness and swelling. Contact your doctor if you have pain that cannot be controlled, excessive itchiness, or any signs of possible infection.

Is laser skin treatment safe?

Laser skin treatments are an excellent way to improve the appearance of your skin. But having these treatments, though safe and widely effective, means you need to be aware of the aftereffects of treatment, how to care for your newly treated skin, and maybe most importantly , what not to do once you have had your treatment.