Pre Treatment:
4 Weeks Before the Procedure (Darker Skin Types and Melasma Patients):
- Skin Types 4-6 or melasma patients may be asked to pre-treat their skin with 5% hydroquinone – Apply thin layer to skin nighttime only for 4 weeks.
2 Weeks Before the Procedure:
- Avoid sun exposure, sunless tanning creams or sprays.
- Apply Alastin Regenerating Nectar twice per day to clear out old collagen.
1 Week Before the Procedure:
- Avoid any irritants to your skin including Retin-A, retinol, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic/salicylic acids, astringents & vitamin C.
- Avoid blood thinners such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, fish oils, and vitamin E. *If prescribed a blood thinner, speak with your provider before discontinuing.
- Do not wax or use depilatory creams on treatment area(s).
1 Day Before the Procedure
- Take an antiviral and/or antibiotic if prescribed by your provider.
Post Treatment:
- Cleanse the skin twice per day with Alastin Ultra Calm Cleanser and lukewarm water beginning the morning after treatment. Use your hands to gently apply the cleanser and water and finish by patting dry with a soft cloth. DO NOT rub, scrub, exfoliate or use a skincare brush in the treated area(s). Doing so can result in scarring and pigmentation issues.
- Apply Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar 1-2 pumps twice a day and Alastin Soothe and Ultra Light Moisturizer as needed to keep skin comfortable and hydrated.
- Melasma patients or darker skin types may be asked to apply 5% hydroquinone after cleansing post night five. Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar and/or Ultra Light Moisturizer may be applied on top.
- Sunscreen is a MUST after 24 hours! Apply Skin Better Science Tone Smart SPF 70 prior to applying makeup or in place of makeup. Be sure to re-apply every 2 hours.
- Continue to take your anti-viral medication as directed until finished.
- Avoid wearing makeup for at least 48 hours.
Products Recommended:
- Alastin Procedure Enhancement Kit (Includes all Alastin products listed below)
- Gentle Ultra Calm Cleanser – Wash AM/PM.
- Alastin Ultra Light Moisturizer – Apply AM/PM.
- Skin Better Science Smart Tone SPF 70 – Apply after moisturizer.
- Alastin Silk Shield SPF 30 – Apply after moisturizer.
Tips Post Treatment:
- Post-treatment discomfort may be relieved with over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol, Advil or Motrin.
- Swelling is common and expected and can increase for the first few days after treatment. You may choose to sleep elevated or in an upright position for the first few nights to help alleviate the swelling. Cool compresses can also help discomfort.
- Redness is normal and expected. Redness can be persistent depending on the aggressiveness of the treatment but tends to resolve within 7-10 days.
- Itching is a normal side effect and may be experienced during the healing phase. DO NOT scratch the treated area(s) as scarring and pigmentation issues can occur. Over-the-counter antihistamines such as Claritin, Zyrtec or Xyzal are non-drowsy and may be taken during the day. Over-the-counter Benadryl, which may cause drowsiness, can be taken at night to relieve itching.
- On post day 2 or 3 you may notice dark spots appearing on the treated skin. These bronzed, crusted areas are called MENDS (microscopic epidermal necrotic debris). DO NOT scratch or scrub off these crusted areas. This is part of the healing process where treated tissue is working its way out of the body and new skin is being regenerated. This process can take 7-10 days for the face and up to 2 weeks for the body.
- Avoid sun exposure post treatment for 4 weeks. If direct sun exposure is necessary, wear a hat and clothing that covers the area(s). It the treated area(s) are exposed to sun (direct or indirect), blistering, scarring, hyperpigmentation and/or hypopigmentation may occur.