First 48 Hours
No shower to face and neck for 48 hours after the procedure. Avoid excessive movement to the face and neck. This facilitates healing.
Hand-washing is the most important thing you can do to prevent infection. Wash your hands every time before you touch the treated area.
Wound cleaning, vinegar soaks, and thick layer all over treated areas of Alastin Soothe and Protect ointment during the first 24 hours. Applying Alastin Nectar or other suggested topical ointment on days 2-5 post procedure is critical to prevent crusting and risk of possible scarring (very rare). Do not rub or scrub during this time.
Apply the diluted vinegar soaks every 2-3 hours for the first 48 to 72 hours- this helps prevent infection, may continue as needed. (Vinegar soak dilution instructions below)
Taper off over the week. (Follow the given instructions attached.) Drainage/bleeding may be gently dabbed with vinegar-water-soaked gauze, and then patted dry.
After cleansing, apply a complete layer of Alastin Nectar or other suggested ointment (after 24h) during daytime hours and apply a complete layer of Alastin Soothe and Protect before bed. Ointment can be reapplied in between cleansing as needed for comfort.
Keep your head elevated as much as possible (on 2 to 3 pillows) for the first few nights to help reduce swelling and promote healing.
Remember to finish all of your oral medication as prescribed if given to you as part of your treatment plan.
You may take Benadryl 25 mg at night during the first 48 hours or an antihistamine for daytime hours (less drowsiness) such as Zyrtec or Claritan as needed for itching.
You may also take Tylenol 500 mg, two tablets, every 6 hours. Please inform us if there is discomfort.
What to do:
First Week
Continue Alastin twice a day after vinegar soaks.
Taper off vinegar soaks and continue Alastin Soothe & Protect until skin completely healed.
As skin begins to peel it is critical not to pick!
What to do:
After First Week
Continue Alastin Skin Regenerating Nectar, to help facilitate healing, enhance results, and decrease redness for the first 4-6 weeks until redness is gone.
Apply twice a day to support the skin’s natural regeneration process, reduce inflammation, and enhance treatment results.
Important:
Practice sun avoidance and start prescription grade SPF
What you might experience after the procedure: Redness and swelling are most common. While swelling may resolve within 1-2 weeks, redness usually becomes very faint by one month, and may last up to 3 months. Redness can be worsened by certain skin products and heat. Sun protection is very important.
Exudates/bleeding/crusting. Clear fluid (exudates) or blood may ooze onto skin. Frequent wound cleaning and Soothe and Protect during the first days post procedure is critical in preventing crusting. Do not rub/scrub.
Dry skin and peeling are usually reported 2-7 days post procedure. Sometimes, another round of peeling is seen 1-2 weeks later. Do not rub/scrub or pull on loose skin. After wounds close in 48 hours, you may continue with a thinner layer of Alastin Nectar to help relieve dry skin.
Acne or milia formation: Flare-up of acne or formation of milia possible and may appear 2-4 days post treatment. This is usually self-limiting and resolves within one week. Do not pick at lesions.
Pain may linger after the procedure is completed.
Risk of infection from bacterial, viral or fungal agents exists despite our best preventative effort. Wash your hands! Keep your environment clean! This is a must.
Scarring may occur from crusting, infection, or simply being exposed to laser. This risk is extremely low with the Fractionated CO2 laser.
Itching usually occurs as a part of the normal wound healing process, but may occur as part of infection, poor wound healing, or contact dermatitis. This usually occurs 3-4 days post procedure and may last up to one week. Cold compresses (20 minutes on and off) as needed to alter sensation can help. An oral antihistamine such as Zyrtec or Benadryl can also help.
Pigmentary changes:
After treatment, skin may appear darker (hyperpigmentation)- Please notify your provider if you notice a “tan” appearance - this can be treated.
After treatment, skin may appear lighter (hypopigmentation) light spots- . Although most are temporary, it could be permanent.
Non-responsiveness to laser treatment: Your skin condition may not be corrected or may worsen.
Call us if you experience any one of the following. If you cannot reach us and it is an emergency, call 911:
Oozing beyond 48 hours or shallow ulcers.
Excessive redness, swelling, bleeding, and/or crust or scab formation.
Excessive itching, especially when accompanied by signs of infection.
Signs of infection: whitish to yellowish film on treated area, with or without foul odor. You may also develop a fever of 100.4F or above.