OVERVIEW
Before any procedure, stop using chemicals on your skin three days ahead of time; that means retinoids, acids, scrubs, benzoyl peroxide, cosmeceuticals, and chemical sunscreens (switch to mineral ones). Take off any makeup before the procedure. If you are prone to herpes, fever blisters, or any kind of infection on your face (even acne), treat it with the proper medication before and after your procedure, since any treatment can cause stress to the skin that may trigger a flare-up. If you would like to know your options, please give us a call for a free consultation.
INJECTABLES, BOTOX, AND LASERS
To help decrease bruising and bleeding, you may discontinue all medically unnecessary blood-thinning medications and supplements one week beforehand, including aspirin, ibuprofen, St. John’s wort, vitamin E, and omega-3 supplements. You can continue all prescription medications, including aspirin and warfarin; just know that you may have bruising.
LASER
Lasers zone in on darker pigment in your skin, so a tan (even from a self-tanner) can affect the outcome of the procedure and perhaps cause side effects such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. So you should not have a tan, and stop using self-tanner at least two weeks beforehand.