303.938.1666

Precautions and Post Instructions for the Pulse Dye Vascular Laser

1. Inform our office if you should develop a cold, fever, or develop open sores or blisters prior to your appointment. Vascular laser will not be done on tanned skin.

2. Discontinue the use of Retin-A, Glycolic or Alpha Hydroxy Acid skin care products 3 days after your laser treatment or as long as there is bruising/red discoloration.

3. Applying ice packs to treated areas can alleviate any discomfort experienced following the procedure.

4. Avoid direct exposure to the sun. A sunscreen of SPF 15 or greater should be used for several months before and after your treatment, or as long as you plan to continue treatment. Sun exposure may result in undesired changes in pigmentation or make the treatment less effective.

5. Avoid activity that causes skin to flush for 5 days. This includes alcohol, spicy foods, vasodilators, and vigorous exercise.

6. No hot tub, sauna or soaking until any bruising/ red discoloration is no longer present.

7. Multiple treatments will be needed to achieve optimal results, and will be determined by the type of skin lesion, area, or condition to be treated.

CARE of the TREATED AREA
The treated area may show a reddish/bruised discoloration. This will last 3-5 days, but with more aggressive treatments or more numerous pulses of laser light, discoloration can be longer. The treated area is very delicate and should be treated with care. Please read and follow these instructions.

Discomfort or stinging may be evident, but usually lasts no more than a few hours. Tylenol or
Ibuprofen may be taken or ice applied during this period.

If swelling occurs, ice water compresses may be applied. To decrease facial swelling, sleep with your head elevated. To decrease leg swelling, sleep with legs elevated.

Apply Bacitracin or Polysporin Antibiotic ointment, or a moisturizer to the treated area 3-4 times a day as long as the bruising/red discoloration is present. It is important to keep the area moist until healed.

You may apply makeup to your face as soon after the treatment as you desire, unless your skin is too irritated or sensitive. In that case, allow the skin to settle for a few days using only moisturizer and sunscreen. Please use hypoallergenic / non-comedogenic make-up as recommended by your aesthetician.

If a crust or scab develops, allow it to fall off on its own. Do not pick at the area. Keep the area moist with antibiotic ointment until the crust falls off. Do not apply make-up as long as crusting is present.

Do not scratch or rub the treated area until any bruising or crusting disappears.

Showers are permitted, but gently pat the area dry. Do not rub with a towel or washcloth as the area is extremely delicate while the bruising/red discoloration is present. If the legs are treated, do not take a tub bath the first 48 hours as the intense heat may cause additional discomfort. Showers are recommended.

Avoid swimming to reduce skin irritation and infection risk until fully healed.

Avoid exposure to the sun. Apply a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher to prevent pigmentation changes until the treated area is healed. If the treated area has a scab or tissue changes, cover the area with a dressing while exposed to the sun.

After the red discoloration disappears, hyperpigmentation (brown coloring) or hypopigmentation (white) may be present for up to 3-6 months. This is rare, but if it occurs, use a sunscreen (SPF 15) on the area until the normal color returns.

Do not use Retin A, Glycolic or Alpha Hydroxy Acid skin products 24 hours before, and avoid their use on the treated facial areas while bruising/red discoloration or crusting is present. You may use your topical products around the treated areas.
When any discoloration/bruising clears, there may be very little initial change in the cutaneous vascular lesion or facial wrinkle. Improvement will take place slowly over a period of several months.
For vascular lesions, 3-5 treatment sessions 4-6 weeks apart, are needed for maximum improvement. For facial wrinkles, 4 treatment sessions are required, 4-6 weeks apart. Final results are expected at 3-4 months following the last treatment. This time line is due to the gradual formation of collagen in the treated areas that is the basis of wound healing.
If you have any have questions or concerns regarding your laser treatment, please contact IV Seasons Skin Care. Even if there are no problems, call in for a progress report one week after your treatment.

If the area becomes tender, reddened or shows signs of infection, please call the office
(303) 443-2277 or IV Seasons Skin Care (303) 938-1666