Your Complete Guide to Pre and Post Care
Are you planning a trip to your local medical spa?
Investing in your health and beauty with self-care is so important. Not only can you boost your confidence and achieve goals, but regular skin and body treatments can provide you with the opportunity to really relax and focus on yourself.
To help ensure that you truly get the most from your appointment, we recommend following certain pre and post care guidelines. From facials and laser hair removal, to chemical peels and more, here is everything you need to know!
The Importance of Preparing for Your Treatment
Before we dive into the finer details of pre and post care for certain treatments, let’s first take a closer look at the importance of preparing for your treatment.
Effectiveness
With the right approach to care, you can help to improve the overall effectiveness of your treatment. Whether you are having laser hair removal or microneedling performed, these treatments are an investment in your beauty and health.
To help ensure that you get the most from your appointment, we always recommend following the pre and post care instructions carefully.
Comfort
Many of our guidelines for pre and post care can help to make the treatment a more comfortable process for you. The right approach can help to reduce pain, swelling, tenderness, and redness following your treatment, as well as discomfort during the treatment itself in some cases.
Lasting Results
Not only can the right pre and post care help to ensure that your treatment is effective, but also to create an approach for longer-lasting results. Depending on the treatment, you may require more than one session.
Your aesthetician can discuss these details with you and make a plan for lasting success!
Photofacials
Are you looking to treat the appearance of redness, veins, brown spots, and sun damage on your skin? You may want to consider a photofacial.
At Bare Ur Beauty, we utilize the Cutera LimeLight to perform photofacials. During this procedure, intense pulse light (IPL) is utilized to penetrate deep into the skin. This procedure lasts about 45 minutes and involves minimal discomfort.
The IPL helps to constrict collagen and blood vessels below the epidermis. This can help to result in reduced redness and overall appearance of aging.
Pre Care
Avoid magnesium and omega supplements three days prior to treatment
Avoid self tanners for two to four weeks before treatment
Alert your medical aesthetician of any fillers or Botox beforehand
Post Care
Apply a cool compress, chilled gel or hydro gel pads if needed.
Do not use ice on the treated area, as this can cause redness and swelling
Treated lentigines, or liver spots, usually darken over the next 24-72 hours. Crusting will begin to form within a few days. The crusting will resolve itself within one to three weeks following treatment. Allow the crusts to naturally flake off for best results.
Redness or swelling is normal and will subside within 24 to 72 hours
Apply sunscreen multiple times a day, every day for at least 14 days
Avoid sun exposure and artificial tanning for a minimum of seven days, although 14 days is recommended
Facials
At Bare Ur Beauty, we are proud to offer a wide selection of facials. Each of our professional facials are designed to help achieve a range of results. The Titan Facial is often recommended for those looking to combat the effects of aging, while the Oxygen Facial is a fantastic choice for those looking to heal, plump, hydrate, and lift their skin.
To help ensure that you achieve your desired results, we recommend following the following pre and post care instructions.
Pre Care
Do your research! To help ensure that we achieve your specific skincare goals, take note of what you like about your skin, what you don’t like and the results you would like to achieve
Take note of your daily skincare routine and record the products that you use. This information can affect the health of your skin and is important for our team to know.
Avoid shaving or waxing 48 hours prior to your facial
Avoid tanning beds and sun exposure at least one week before treatment
Don’t over exfoliate in the 2-3 days leading up to your facial. Most facials include an exfoliating treatment and over-buffing can result in sensitive skin.
Post Care
Drink lots of water to help your body detox, flush your system and maintain a post-facial glow
Be gentle to your skin! Allow your skin to absorb the treatment and properly heal.
Continue your regular skincare routine
Do not use a scrub or exfoliating product, unless otherwise instructed
Don’t touch your skin or pick
Don’t wax for 48 hours afterwards
Avoid the use of heavy makeup, or makeup in general, if you can and for several days
Avoid activities that can result in sweating, such as physical activity and using a sauna
Laser Hair Removal
Laser Hair Removal is a non-invasive technique that can help to minimize the appearance and growth of body hair. Often used in areas such as the face, under arms and legs, Laser Hair Removal uses pulses of laser light to destroy the hair follicle.
At Bare Ur Beauty, we are proud to specialize in the Cutera Coolglide Laser! With any Laser Hair Removal treatment, we suggest that you follow the following care instructions.
Pre Care
Shave and/or trim the area. Do not wax or pluck the hair, as we require the root.
When shaving, use conditioner to reduce and/or prevent razor bumps and exfoliate with an enzyme-based product
Use a moisturizer or face cream to hydrate the treatment area. Opt for a low scent or fragrance free option if possible.
Post Care
Tiny red bumps, known as erythema and perifollicular oedema, are common
Hair loss is expected within two weeks following your treatment. To help encourage hair removal, continue with shaving and trimming.
Avoid heat for 24 to 48 hours. This includes: hot tubs, saunas and exposure to warm weather and environments.
No exposure to direct sunlight for 48 hours
If a blister or crusting develops, treat it as a wound and do not apply ice
Do not wax or pluck between treatments
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels remove layers of the skin that are dead and damaged, leaving you with the glowing and youthful skin that you deserve! In fact, chemical peels can help reduce hyperpigmentation, improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, promote healthy cell renewal, and so much more!
1 Week Pre Care
Avoid sun exposure and artificial tanning for two weeks prior to treatment
Discontinue any topical prescriptions or any products containing Retinol or Vitamin A. Avoid all products with Retinol for a minimum of one week prior to your treatment.
Avoid waxing, electrolysis, hair removal creams, and laser hair removal treatments
Do not receive Botox or dermal fillers
Do not have another facial or peel treatment
Day of Pre Care
Do not use any alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), beta hydroxy acid (BHA) and benzoyl peroxide
Stop any exfoliating products that may be drying or irritating
For men, do not shave
Post Care
Depending on the peel, you may notice a mild tingling sensation or heat on your skin. Some acids are neutralized by us and some acids are self-neutralizing, so they continue to work after the treatment.
By the second or third day, you will likely notice peeling or flaking around your mouth and forehead. Keep your skin well-hydrated, as it will continue to peel for seven to 10 days. This process is called Desquamation. Do not pick this skin and let it flake off naturally.
Avoid generating any additional heat during the first 48 hours. Because layers of the skin have just been exfoliated off, exposing a fresh new layer, skin will be more susceptible to burning.
After receiving your peel, do not use any skin care products that have not been approved by our team. You can begin your post treatment regime the following morning.
Microneedling
Also known as Collagen Induction Therapy, Microneedling can help to heal your skin and encourage a more youthful appearance. This procedure involves pricking the skin with tiny needles, creating small wounds or tears.
These small wounds or tears in the skin can help to boost the natural production of collagen and elastin, to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, scars, stretch marks, and other signs of aging.
Pre Care
Avoid Accutane in the six months prior to beginning your treatment sessions
Do not use topical agents that may increase the sensitivity of your skin, such as retinoids, exfoliants, topical antibiotics or acids for five to seven days prior to your treatment
Do not take anti-inflammatory medications, such as Ibuprofen, Motrin, or Advil, for at least three days prior to your microneedling session. These will interfere with the natural inflammatory process, which is critical for the rejuvenation of your skin.
Avoid IPL/Laser procedures, unprotected sun exposure or sunburn for at least two weeks prior to your procedure.
No waxing, depilatory creams or electrolysis to the area being treated for five to seven days prior
Do not shave the day of the procedure to avoid skin irritation. If there is dense hair present in the treatment area, shave the day before your appointment.
If you’re prone to cold sores, take an antiviral agent for two days prior to and the day of treatment.
Avoid blood thinning agents for one week prior, as bruising is a common side effect of microneedling
Post Care
Do not take any anti-inflammatory medications for one week after the procedure.
Do not use ice on your face and avoid the use of products such as arnica and bromelain. These products may interfere with the natural inflammatory process that is critical for your skin rejuvenation.
Avoid sun tanning and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight for at least two weeks.
After 24 hours, regularly use a sunscreen of 30 SPF or higher and wear a hat if you’re outside
Use a painkiller, such as Tylenol, if you experience any soreness
Hydrafacial
Are you looking for a non-invasive approach to better looking and healthier skin? With minimal downtime, instant results and 10+ benefits, the Hydrafacial might be exactly what you are looking for.
With a 30-minute Hydrafacial, you can look forward to reduced fine lines, fewer wrinkles, improved elasticity and firmness, even tone, better vibrancy, minimized pores, and so much more.
Pre Care
Aggressive exfoliation, waxing and products containing acids should be avoided in the treatment area for at least two weeks before and after treatment
Avoid the use of Retin-A products before and after treatment
Post Care
You will likely see results immediately following treatment and your skin will feel smooth and hydrated for up to four weeks. For improved, longer lasting results, consider take-home products and monthly HydraFacial treatments.
The treatment area is more susceptible to sunburn, sun damage and hyperpigmentation. Avoid direct sun exposure and use a minimum of SPF 40 sunscreen.
Aggressive exfoliation, waxing and products containing acids should be avoided in the treatment area for at least two weeks before and two weeks after your treatment.
Avoid the use of Retin-A products before and after your treatment.
Guidance and Support with Bare Ur Beauty
For more information, we recommend that you review our Pre and Post Care Information Guide!
With help from a professional team of medical aestheticians, you can find the right treatment to help achieve your long-term goals. Not only that, but you’ll also be provided with care and support every step of the way.
For more information or help getting started today, contact our team of experts at Bare Ur Beauty today!
