Side Effects of the Procedure

After the procedure, the skin will be red and flushed in appearance in a similar way to a moderate sunburn. You may also experience skin tightness and mild sensitivity to the touch on the area treated. The skin’s redness will diminish greatly after a few hours following the treatment. Within 24 hours, the surface of the skin will typically appear and feel more normal. After 3 days, the skin is often healed, and your normal appearance is fully restored. For the first 3 days, it is important to avoid sun exposure and sweaty activities, such as vigorous exercises.

Contraindications

Keloid scars, history of eczema, psoriasis, and other chronic conditions, history of actinic (solar) keratosis, history of Herpes Simplex infections, history of diabetes, presence of raised moles in the area, warts on the area to be treated.
Absolute contraindications include scleroderma, collagen vascular disease or cardiac abnormalities, blood-clotting problems, active bacterial infections or fungal infections, immuno-suppression, and scars less than 6 months old.
Not recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing.

Pre-Treatment Care

• Sun exposure and/or usage of a tanning bed, including self-tanning products, must be avoided for a minimum of 24 hours before and after the treatment, preferably for 1 week. Treatment within 24 hours of prolonged sun exposure (natural sunlight, artificial tanning booth, or sunless tanning products) may result in hypopigmentation (white spots) or hyperpigmentation (dark spots) that may not clear for several months or may even be permanent. A Microneedling treatment will not be administered on sunburned skin.
• Area to be treated must be clean and free of any lotion, makeup, and sunscreen. If you have any of these on, they must be completely washed off prior to treatment.
• Accutane and any other photo-sensitizing medication should be discontinued for a period of at least 6 months prior to receiving treatment and should not be used during your course of treatment.
• The area to be treated should not receive any type of chemical peel for 2 weeks before and after treatment.
• Retin-A, Renova, and Tazorac must not be used for 1 week before or after treatment.
• Waxing and/or use of chemical depilatories must be avoided for 2 weeks before and after the treatment. Shaving is allowed immediately before treatment and 48-72 hours after treatment as long as there is no skin irritation.
• You can not be pregnant for this treatment.
• Notify the provider of any tattoos, including cosmetic tattoos, in the vicinity of the area to be treated as tattoos must be avoided.
• If you have a history of cold sores, we may recommend prophylactic antiviral therapy in the form of Valtrex® or Acyclovir. If so, follow the directions for your prescription.
• During the course of your treatments, notify our staff of any changes to your medical history, health status, or personal activities that may be relevant to your treatment.

Post-Treatment Care

• A sunburn-like effect is normal for 1-3 days. You will look and feel sunburned after the treatment. The severity of redness will depend on how aggressive the treatment was performed. The skin may feel tight, dry, swollen, and sensitive to the touch. The treated area may appear darker, and the darkened skin may flake off within 1 week. Avoid picking or exfoliating the area and allow old skin to flake off naturally.
• After-care products and regimen: Wash the treated area gently twice a day with a gentle cleanser. Use tepid water ONLY. Apply a soothing, healing moisturizer as often as needed for the first 3 days; we recommend a product called After Spa which is available for sale in our lobby!
• Sun exposure must be avoided for at least 24 hours after your treatment, preferably for 1-2 weeks. If you know you will get incidental sun exposure i.e. driving to and from work, walking from your car to the house, etc., then we recommend wearing a protective hat and sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. Otherwise, for best results, we recommend staying indoors.
• Do not use exfoliating medications, chemicals, or products on the treated areas for at least 1 week.
• No exercise that causes sweating and avoids the jacuzzi, sauna, or steam if any skin irritation exists.
• Advil or Tylenol may be taken as necessary for discomfort. Ice packs may be used if desired to minimize swelling.
• Sleep on your back with your head elevated slightly to reduce swelling.
• It is recommended that makeup should not be applied for 12 hours after the procedure.
• For best results and efficacy, we recommend a series of 6 treatments administered at 2-4 week intervals. You may notice immediate and longer-term improvements in your skin!