Caring for your skin after treatment

LASER

Laser Tattoo Removal

What to expect

Tattoo removal laser treatment may create a superficial burn wound. There is immediate whitening, swelling, and redness of the treated area, which usually lasts for several minutes.

Some clients may then develop blisters, crusts, or scabs within 8–72 hours, which can last for 1–2 weeks or more. The treated area may be pink or pale after the scab separates.

Some clients may experience bruising or swelling, which usually fades over the first week after treatment.

Scarring, which can be hypertrophic or keloid in nature, may occur but is very rare. Pigmentation changes can occur, but are temporary except in very rare cases.

Primary healing is usually complete within 4 weeks, although this may differ depending on several factors. Continued fading can be seen in the following months.

Caring for the treated area

1. 1Keep it clean and dry. Clean the area gently with soap and water, then pat dry. You may apply a thin coating of ointment (such as Aquaphor, petrolatum, or Neosporin) up to three times a day for three days while the area is healing. Keep the area covered with a sterile dressing during that time.
2. 2Blisters are normal. Blisters are possible and likely to appear within the first 8 hours after treatment. Don't be alarmed: well-cared-for blisters heal very well and are part of the normal healing process. Keep them clean and disinfected by applying a solution of 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts water with a cotton ball. Do not pop, rip, or pick at blisters, as this can introduce bacteria and cause a serious infection.
3. 3Cool the area. In the first few hours, the treated area may feel like a sunburn. Cool compresses can help ease discomfort and inflammation.
4. 4Don't pick scabs. If you scab, don't pick or expose the scabbed area, as it may result in infection, scarring, or permanent pigment change. Avoid shaving the treated area until it is completely healed.
5. 5Showering is okay, soaking is not. It's fine to shower after treatment, but avoid high-pressure water hitting the treated area. Avoid baths, hot tubs, swimming pools, or any soaking until all blistering and scabbing have completely healed, as these may increase the risk of infection.
6. 6Exercise with care. Exercise is generally safe after treatment, keeping these aftercare instructions in mind. Some bruising may occur if muscles under the treated area are exercised.
7. 7Protect from the sun. Wear sunblock SPF 25 or higher with UVA/UVB protection over the area for the full time between sessions. Limiting sun exposure between treatments reduces tanning in the area, which lowers the risk of side effects. Do not wear makeup or any cream on the treated area for 48 hours unless recommended by our office.
8. 8Itching is common. Itching is common because the laser dehydrates the skin. Apply Aquaphor, vitamin E ointment, or hydrocortisone cream to the area. Itching from an allergic reaction is rare but possible. Let us know if itching or swelling lasts more than a week after treatment.

When to contact us

If the area looks infected (honey-colored crusting, oozing, or spreading redness), if you have unusual discomfort or bleeding, if any other complications develop, or if you have any questions or concerns, contact the office right away at 210-750-4004.

If you have an extreme reaction, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

INTIMATE BRIGHTENING

Intimate Brightening (Peels & Laser)

Intimate skin is delicate, and friction, heat and moisture are the biggest things that slow healing or cause irritation. Mild redness, tightness, darkening before lightening, and light peeling over the next several days are normal.

General guidance. Your provider may adjust these based on your skin and treatment plan.

Things to avoid

• ✕Tight clothing and friction. Wear loose, breathable cotton underwear and clothing. Skip tight leggings, shapewear and synthetic fabrics while the area heals.
• ✕Heat, sweat and soaking. Avoid workouts that make you sweat heavily, saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, baths and swimming pools for at least 48 hours, and until any peeling has finished.
• ✕Shaving, waxing and hair removal. Don't shave, wax, or use hair removal creams on the area until it has fully healed. Ask us before scheduling other treatments there.
• ✕Picking or pulling skin. Let peeling skin come off on its own. Picking can cause irritation, scarring or new dark spots.
• ✕Harsh or fragranced products. No scrubs, exfoliants, acids, retinol, scented soaps, body sprays or feminine washes on the area until you're healed, unless we recommend them.
• ✕Intimate activity. Avoid intimate activity that causes friction on the area for a few days, or until any tenderness and peeling have settled.
• ✕Sun and tanning. Keep the area out of the sun and tanning beds while you're in treatment. Sun exposure can make pigment darker.

Things to do

• Rinse gently with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser, then pat dry.
• Use only the post-treatment products we gave or recommended.
• Stick with your home care routine as directed, and keep your follow-up appointments. Results build over your full series.

When to contact us

Contact us at 210-750-4004 if you notice signs of infection (oozing, honey-colored crusting, spreading redness or heat), blistering, unusual pain, or anything that doesn't seem right. For an extreme reaction, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

WAXING · FACIALS · PEELS

Waxing, Facials & Peels

A little redness or sensitivity after waxing, and tightness or peeling a few days after a peel, are normal. These general rules help your skin settle and help prevent bumps, ingrown hairs and irritation.

General guidance. Your provider may adjust these based on your skin and treatment plan.

Things to avoid

• ✕Heat and sweat. Skip hot showers, baths, saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs and heavy workouts for 24–48 hours.
• ✕Sun and tanning. Avoid sun exposure, tanning beds and self-tanner for at least 48 hours, and for the full time your skin is peeling.
• ✕Touching and picking. Keep hands off freshly waxed or treated skin. Don't pick, pull or scrub off peeling skin; let it shed on its own.
• ✕Exfoliating too soon. No scrubs, acids or retinol for at least 48 hours after waxing, and until peeling is completely finished after a peel.
• ✕Pools and soaking. Avoid swimming pools, lakes and the ocean for 24–48 hours.
• ✕Fragrance and makeup. Avoid perfumed lotions, body sprays and deodorant on freshly waxed areas for 24 hours. After a facial or peel, wait on makeup until the next day or as directed.
• ✕Other treatments on the same area. Don't book waxing, laser or another peel on the treated area until your skin has fully recovered. Ask us about timing.

Things to do

• Wear loose clothing over freshly waxed areas.
• Use a gentle cleanser and a simple moisturizer, and apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ every day.
• For a peel, follow the at-home steps in your peel kit exactly as instructed.
• A few days after waxing, gently exfoliate a couple of times a week to help prevent ingrown hairs.

When to contact us

Contact us at 210-750-4004 if you notice signs of infection (oozing, honey-colored crusting, spreading redness or heat), blistering, unusual pain, or anything that doesn't seem right. For an extreme reaction, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

CARBON WAVE

Carbon Wave Cellulite

Good news: Carbon Wave has no special aftercare and no downtime. You may notice mild redness that fades quickly, and you can go right back to your normal activities.

Things to do

• Return to your normal routine right away.
• Stay hydrated and keep up healthy habits between sessions to support your results.
• Keep your next appointments. Most clients need about 3 sessions, spaced 3 to 4 weeks apart.

VI PEEL

VI Peel, Face & Body

Every VI Peel treatment comes with its own post-peel aftercare kit. Follow the kit's steps exactly as instructed, and use the VI Peel app to see what to expect each day. Peeling and flaking are normal as your skin renews.

General guidance. Your provider may adjust these based on your skin and treatment plan.

Things to avoid

• ✕Picking or pulling skin. Let peeling skin come off on its own. Picking can cause irritation, scarring or new dark spots.
• ✕Sun and tanning. Avoid the sun and tanning beds while you're peeling, and wear SPF 30+ every day.
• ✕Heat and sweat. Skip saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs and heavy workouts until peeling has finished.
• ✕Exfoliants and actives. No scrubs, acids or retinol until peeling is completely finished, unless we tell you otherwise.

Things to do

• Use your post-peel kit exactly as directed.
• Ask us about our dark spot lifting serum. We recommend it to support your results, and it's included complimentary with VI Peel packages purchased at regular price.
• Keep your series on schedule. We recommend a minimum of 3 peels, about 4 weeks apart.

When to contact us

Contact us at 210-750-4004 if you notice signs of infection (oozing, honey-colored crusting, spreading redness or heat), blistering, unusual pain, or anything that doesn't seem right. For an extreme reaction, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

PROCELL

Procell Microchanneling

Each Procell package includes a mini trial care kit to support your skin while it heals. Mild redness is common and settles quickly.

General guidance. Your provider may adjust these based on your skin and treatment plan.

Things to avoid

• ✕Makeup right away. Let your skin breathe for the rest of the day, or as directed.
• ✕Heat and sweat. Skip workouts, saunas, steam rooms and hot tubs for 24 to 48 hours.
• ✕Sun exposure. Avoid direct sun for a few days, and wear SPF 30+ every day.
• ✕Exfoliants and actives. No scrubs, acids or retinol for a few days, or until we say it's OK.

Things to do

• Use your mini trial care kit as directed.
• Keep your skin clean, hydrated and protected with SPF.
• Keep your series on schedule. Most corrective goals take 3 to 6 sessions.

When to contact us

Contact us at 210-750-4004 if you notice signs of infection (oozing, honey-colored crusting, spreading redness or heat), blistering, unusual pain, or anything that doesn't seem right. For an extreme reaction, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.