Alma Hybrid Pre and Post Treatment Care Instructions
Pre-Treatment Instructions
-
The following should be obtained prior to treatment day:
-
Aquaphor
-
Sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater (mineral sunscreens preferred)
-
4×4 inch gauze pads (available at local pharmacy)
-
Tylenol (optional)
-
Antihistamine (optional)
-
Diphenhydramine/Benadryl or cetirizine/Zyrtec can be taken as needed for itching, but may cause drowsiness
-
-
Discontinue use of skincare products 2 weeks prior to treatment, you may use a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF.
-
For patients pre-treating with hydroquinone, stop 2 days before your scheduled treatment
-
Avoid direct sun exposure for 4 weeks prior to your treatment. Absolutely no tanning, either in a tanning bed or outdoors prior to treatment. You cannot be treated if you have a sunburn, recently tanned, or have sunless tanner on your skin.
-
Apply a daily sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater and reapply as needed.
-
-
If you have had other skin rejuvenation procedures in the past month, please discuss with your provider to ensure adequate spacing of treatments.
-
Avoid the following active ingredients in treatment areas 7 days prior to treatment:
-
topical retinoids (e.g. Retin-A, tretinoin, adapalene)
-
Vitamin C
-
Glycolic acid and salicylic acid.
-
-
If you are concerned about any of the products you are using, please ask your provider.
-
Treatment area(s) should be shaved within 1-2 days of treatment if hair is present. CO2 laser may cause unwanted hair loss in the treatment area.
-
Avoid filler for 1 month prior to treatment, effects on filler are unknown.
-
Botox can be performed 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after CO2 laser treatment.
-
Avoid unnecessary blood-thinning medications (e.g. NSAIDs like ibuprofen), but please take all medications that are prescribed by your primary physician as you normally would.
-
Come with clean, product-free skin and loose-fitting clothes over all treatment areas.
-
If you have a history of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in any treatment areas, notify your provider, as pre-treatment with an anti-viral medication will be required. Your provider will give specific instructions.
-
Notify your provider of all medications you are taking as some medications can be photosensitizing.
-
We recommend you wait at least 6 months after isotretinoin (Accutane) treatment before having this treatment
Post-Treatment Instructions
DIRECTLY POST PROCEDURE:
-
Apply CBD+ BARRIER RESTORING CRÈME directly on skin immediately post procedure. Follow with twice daily use or more often as needed for 10 days.
-
You may shower the day following your treatment, but avoid hot water on the treated area.
FOR 72 HOURS POST TREATMENT:
-
Treated areas may feel hot, tight, and/or itchy. Mild/moderate pinpoint bleeding, swelling, and redness is normal and expected. The following medications are recommendations for treating post treatment concerns. They can be purchased at your local pharmacy.
-
Antihistamines can be taken for swelling and itching.
-
Benadryl/Diphenhyramine 25 mg tablets. Take 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed
-
Zyrtec/Cetirizine 10 mg. Take 1 tablet daily as needed
-
-
-
Pain relievers can be taken for discomfort.
-
Tylenol 500 mg x 2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed
-
-
Contact your provider at 440-290-0755 if pain is still present after 3 days.
-
-
Headaches and nausea are not uncommon in the first days after Alma Hybrid Laser. If excessive, please contact your provider for guidance.
-
Swelling tends to be greatest in the morning. Keep your head elevated by using pillows while lying down to help minimize swelling.
-
Apply cool compresses using a solution made of dilute white vinegar (see below) for 20 minutes at a time every 2-4 hours to help with swelling and discomfort.
-
Preparation: 1 tsp white vinegar per pint of water
-
Keep the solution cool in the refrigerator
-
4×4 inch gauze pads are recommended for applying solution to the skin
-
After soaking, gently dab the skin with clean gauze pad
-
If irritation or sensitivity occurs with the solution, please discontinue, and contact your treatment provider for further instructions.
-
After each vinegar soak, cover any treated areas with CBD+ BARRIER RESTORING CRÈME followed by a thin layer of Aquaphor. Continue to apply Aquaphor every 2 hours to help lock in moisture and protect the skin barrier.
-
-
Direct sun exposure should be strictly avoided for 4-6 weeks post-treatment. Sunscreen should not be worn for the first 72 hours while the skin heals. Refer to the post-treatment skin care regimen below for step-by-step instructions.
24 HOURS POST TREATMENT AND FOR THE NEXT 10 DAYS:
-
Daily Regimen
-
The CBD+ Recovery Kit is an at-home skincare regimen used daily following an in-office treatment to visibly reduce redness, calm the appearance of stressed skin and minimize post-procedure downtime. For the next 10 days, follow the following regimen for post-treatment recovery care. Some products may cause increased sensitivity to sun exposure. Daily use of broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen is recommended after 72 hours.
-
MORNING + NIGHT
-
BALANCING CLEANSER
-
Apply dime size amount on damp skin, massage in circular, upward motions on the face + neck. Rinse thoroughly.
-
-
BARRIER BALANCING HYDRATOR
-
Apply 2-3 pumps on clean, dry skin.
-
-
BARRIER RESTORING CRÈME
-
Apply 2-3 pumps on clean, dry skin.
-
-
Gently clean the skin using hands, cool water, and the recommended cleanser both morning and night. Do not pick, scrub, use exfoliants, or any other cleansing tools. Diluted vinegar soaks are also permitted during this this up to 3x a day, particularly if swelling, itching, or pinpoint bleeding continues to be present. Soaks may also help speed healing.
-
Continue to practice strict sun avoidance. To protect against passive sun exposure when leaving home, sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater should be applied daily and reapplied as needed.
-
Avoid increased body temperatures that may result from hot tub or sauna use, or intense exercise.
-
Avoid wearing makeup until skin is completely healed.
Discontinue Obagi, Retin-A, etc. regimen until day 7. On day 7 you may use an aggressive exfoliant or micro-peel. Makeup can be applied to minimize pixel appearance. Avoid topical exfoliation for 4 weeks.
AFTER 10 DAYS:
-
Please continue to avoid direct sun exposure, as outlined above. Sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater should be worn daily and reapplied as needed to protect against passive sun exposure.
-
Resume normal activities as tolerated.
-
Avoid swimming, saunas, and hot tubs if redness is still present. These activities may be resumed once any redness has resolved.
-
A normal skin care routine, including shaving and use of products with active ingredients can be resumed once redness is resolved.
Start your journey today
If you are interested in exploring treatment options you can fill out our inquiry form or call our office. If you would like to schedule, you can request an appointment online at the link below, or you can call our office, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
When you request an appointment online, please be aware that your selected time and date are pending our approval. Your appointment is subject to change. If you would like to have a confirmed appointment immediately, we recommend calling our office directly to schedule. Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated as we work to confirm your requested appointment.