A dermatologist is a physician who specializes in the treatment of skin conditions and diseases. Dermatologists are certified by the American Board of Dermatology after extensive education and medical residency. They treat everything from minor skin rashes, like hives, to chronic skin diseases, such as eczema or psoriasis. Dermatologists are good diagnosticians and can distinguish between conditions that share similar symptoms. Today many dermatologists are also well versed in cosmetic dermatology procedures to help improve the appearance of skin as we age.
Enhancing Skin Health
Today many dermatologists are also well versed in cosmetic dermatology procedures to help improve the appearance of skin as we age.
View Post-Operative Care
Chemical Peel Care
Chemical Peel After Care Instructions
In order to assure proper and satisfactory results following your chemical peel, we recommend the following after care measures.
- The skin will be very sensitive immediately following treatment. You MUST avoid sun exposure during the healing and peeling process in order to avoid unwanted pigmentation issues.
- Cleanse the affected area with a gentle, non-drying cleanser (like Cetaphil, CeraVe, or SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser) in the morning and evening.
- Keep the affected area moisturized throughout the day to avoid excessive dryness, discomfort or tightness in the skin. Cetaphil, CeraVe, or SkinCeuticals Epidermal Repair products can help with this.
- The skin MUST be protected with sunblock of SPF 30 or higher and a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors.
- Do not pick at the skin when it begins to peel in order to avoid scarring.
- Depending on the depth of the chemical peel performed, the entire peeling and healing process should be completed within two weeks. At that time you will be able to resume your normal skin care regimens.
Fraxel CO2 Laser Care
Fraxel CO2 Laser After Care Instructions
In order to assure proper and satisfactory results following your Fraxel laser procedure, we recommend the following after care measures.
- The skin will be very sensitive immediately following treatment. You MUST avoid sun exposure during the healing and peeling process in order to avoid unwanted pigmentation issues.
- Apply cold compresses to the affected area and keep the head elevated throughout the next 48 hours to reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Cleanse the skin with a gentle, non-drying cleanser (like Cetaphil, CeraVe or SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser) in the morning and evening.
- Keep the affected area moisturized at all times with Cetaphil, CeraVe or SkinCeuticals Epidermal Repair mixed with Vaseline or Aquaphor to avoid discomfort or excessive dryness.
- The skin MUST be protected with sunblock with SPF 30 or higher and a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors.
- Do not pick the skin when it begins to peel in order to avoid scarring.
Bleach Bath
Instructions:
When recommended by your doctor, take one bleach bath per week.
- Fill the bathtub half-full of lukewarm water.
- Add ¼ cup bleach to bathwater.
- Soak five minutes.
- After soaking, rinse off with fresh water.
General Information:
Bleach baths can be effective for killing bacteria as well as helping to clear atopic dermatitis. We recommend ¼ cup bleach in a half-filled tub and ½ cup bleach in a bathtub full of water.
The active component of bleach is sodium hypochlorite. This is the same as Dakin’s solution, which many doctors have used for years. Dakin’s solution is a 0.5 percent sodium hypochlorite and house bleach is 4-6 percent sodium hypochlorite. When the bleach is diluted in a bathtub full of water, the bleach solution is weaker than Dakin’s solution, but still effective.
VBeam – Face Care
VBeam After Care Instructions
Supplies you will need:
- Gentle cleanser and moisturizer (Cetaphil, CeraVe or SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser)
- Ice packs
- Anti-inflammatory (Tylenol, Aleve, etc)
- Sunblock (SPF 30 or higher)
Instructions:
- Ice packs are to be applied to the affected areas off and on for the next 48 hours to reduce redness and inflammation.
- Avoid vigorous exercise, excessively hot showers, sun exposure and alcohol consumption for the next three to four days.
- Wash the affected areas morning and evening with a centle cleanser using only the fingertips. Pat dry. Do not scrub or scratch at the skin that has just been treated.
- A moisturizer with SPF 30 or higher needs to be used after cleansing every morning to prevent any unwanted skin discoloration. Keep the areas moisturized at all times with a gentle moisturizer like Cetaphil, CeraVe or SkinCeuticals Epidermal Repair.
- There will be significant bruising for the first few days after treatment that will slowly dissipate as the areas heal. This is a desired and normal reaction to the treatment. DO NOT pick or scratch at the treated areas while they are healing.
- Once the areas have completely healed you may return to normal daily activities.
- A four-week follow up is recommended to evaluate your progress and re-treat any areas that did not respond to initial treatment.
VBeam – Legs Care
VBeam Leg Vein After Care Instructions
Supplies you will need:
- Compression stockings
- Ice packs
In order to assure proper healing and desirable results, we recommend following these instructions:
- Immediately following treatment, the legs need to be elevated and ice packs applied to relieve swelling and inflammation. Tylenol or Aleve can be taken to reduce pain and inflammation as needed.
- You will need to stay off of your feet as much as possible and compression stockings need to be worn throughout the day to help keep pressure and excess fluid drainage from the treated areas. Continue wearing the compression stockings for at least four weeks after treatment.
- There will be significant bruising involving the treated sites that will usually last approximately 10 to 14 days following treatment. DO NOT pick or scratch at the affected areas while they are healing.
- Avoid vigorous exercise, excessively hot showers or bathing and sun exposure for the next three to four days.
- Once the areas have completely healed, you may return to normal daily activities.
- A four-week follow up is recommended to evaluate your progress and re-treat any areas that did not respond to initial treatment.
Tretinion
Tretinoin Usage Instructions
- After cleansing in the evening, use one to two pumps evenly on the face and other areas being treated.
- Start slowly and build use gradually. Apply twice per week and increase frequency to alternative days and then every day as tolerated.
- You may experience some dryness, irritation and peeling, which typically develops three to seven days following the first application.
- Dryness and irritation will diminish as new, fresh skin is revealed. If irritation or burning sensation persists, temporarily discontinue use of Brightenex.
- Once irritation subsides, resume gradual use of Tretinoin to build your skin’s tolerance.
Always wear sun protection with SPF 30 or higher when using this product.
Post-Photodynamic Therapy Care
Post-Photodynamic Therapy Care Instructions
You have had photodynamic therapy. Redness, tenderness, swelling, peeling and/or burning of the treated area may last three to five days. Any bruising that occurs may last one to two weeks depending on the strength of the treatment.
Please follow the care instructions carefully to obtain best results and avoid any complications.
- Use vinegar/water soaks twice a day as directed.
- Combine one part white vinegar to four parts water.
- Soak a clean cotton washcloth in the vinegar solution and place it on the affected area for five to 10 minutes.
- Pat the area dry.
- Do this twice per day for 10 days.
- Keep the treated area moisturized at all times. If the treated area feels tight it is time to apply moisturizer. We recommend Vanicream with SPF 30 or 60.
- Do not apply any type of glycolic acid, exfoliation products, retinoids or other acne treatments, as this can severely damage or irritate the skin. Stop any anti-aging or products for corrections for 10 days after treatment.
- Avoid sun exposure. Use high SPF sunblock to help block harmful UV rays.
- Make sure that you take any medication given for cold sores and/or fever blisters if they are prescribed.
- You may wear your regular makeup immediately after treatment.
- If any blisters or sores form, apply Vaseline to them. If they are painful or worsen, notify the office immediately. Do not allow scabs to form.
Sutured Wound Care
In order to care for sutures after surgery, you’ll need:
- Liquid Dial soap
- Antibiotic ointment or Vaseline
In order to assure proper healing of your wound, we recommend the following wound care measures.
For Sutures:
- The wound must be kept dry for the first 48 hours after the surgery. After 48 hours you may shower or bathe and get the wound wet.
- Gently wash incision twice a day using liquid dial soap and water. Pat the area dry and apply the prescription mupirocin ointment to the area each time after washing.
- If you purchase the stem cell serum, you will start using it on day 3. Apply the mupirocin ointment during day and the stem cell serum at night.
- Watch for any signs of infection (redness, excessive swelling, warm to the touch, or drainage) and/or allergic reactions to antibacterial ointments. Please call the office if you notice any of these problems.
- If your wound is located on the back, chest, or arms you are restricted from lifting, pushing, or pulling anything over 10lbs. Arm and leg wounds must be kept wrapped with an ACE wrap during the day every day until sutures are removed. Legs should be wrapped starting at the toes, wrapping to up to below the knee daily and elevated 10 minutes of every hour. You may leave the wound on arm or leg open to the air without the ACE wrap at night only after 48 hours. All other wounds maybe left open unless you go outside of the house for any reason, then you will put a bandage over the incision.
- If you have had surgery located on anywhere on the face, or scalp, sleep elevated for 2 nights on a couple of pillows or in a recliner. Do not sleep on the side of the surgery site. Expect swelling in the eyes if surgery site is close to them. You may use ice on any surgery site for 20 min. at a time for swelling. Make sure to keep the bandage dry while using ice.
- If there is any bleeding of the wound you should hold pressure for 45 minutes without peeking. If the bandage is soaked with blood, you may remove the bandage, cleanse the wound, reapply the ointment, and apply another pressure bandage for the rest of the 48hr. If bleeding continues contact the office immediately.
- You can expect to return to the office for a follow up appointment to have your sutures removed in approximately 2-4 weeks from the time of your surgery.
- You should begin taking the oral antibiotics that were prescribed to you TODAY with food (unless you were instructed otherwise by the physician)
Open Wound Care
Supplies you will need:
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Q- tips
- Antibiotic ointment or Vaseline
In order to assure proper healing of your wound, we recommend the following wound care measures.
For open wounds:
- The wound must be kept dry for the first 24 hours after the surgery. After 24 hours you may shower or bathe and get the wound wet.
- Remove the old bandage and gently clean off any crusted material using a clean Q-tip soaked in hydrogen peroxide. If there is a thick crust, you may need to apply hydrogen peroxide and allow it to soak the crust for five minutes in order to soften the adherent material. The crust should then be gently removed with the Q-tip.
- Dry the area with a dry Q-tip and then apply the antibacterial ointment or Vaseline to the wound area.
- If needed, cover the area with a Band-Aid. We recommend leaving the Band-Aid off if possible to let your wound heal without the irritation of the bandage.
- Watch for any signs of infection or allergic reactions to antibacterial ointments. Please call the office if you notice any of these problems.
Melamix
Melamix Usage Instructions
4% Hydroquinone acts as a gradual skin bleaching agent. Melamix reduces the appearance of chloasma, melasma and freckles.
- Apply one to two pumps to affected areas of the skin twice daily or as directed by your physician or skin care therapist.
- Use for 12 weeks at a time, then discontinue use for eight weeks before beginning usage again.
- Look out for hypopigmentation, or areas that become lighter than your natural skin tone.
- Always wear sun protection with SPF 30 or higher when using this product.
Neurotoxin & Dermal Fillers
A Liquid Facelift is the practice of combining dermal fillers and neurotoxin to restore facial volume and erase muscle-driven wrinkles to maintain a youthful appearance without surgery.
Neurotoxins temporarily improve the appearance of mild, moderate or severe facial wrinkles, including frown lines, forehead wrinkles, lines above your upper lip and laugh lines. The medication is injected into the muscles of facial expression so wrinkles cannot be formed in specific areas. Consult with your provider as to how much and where you would benefit from.
Dermal Fillers are injections that temporarily fill out loss of fat volume, erase deep lines and hollows that make you look tired. Our doctors use Bellafill, Restylane Products, VERSA®, Belotero, Sculptra, JUVÉDERM products, and RADIESSE®.Consult with our doctors to see what fillers would be right for you. They are priced according to how they long they last in the skin.
Neurotoxin & Dermal Filler Treatment Recommendations
- Downtime. Neither neurotoxins nor Dermal Fillers require a moment’s social downtime if you follow the Treatment Do’s and Don’ts listed below. You may have some blotchy redness due to the topical anesthetic that lasts less than an hour. Small needle marks may be visible. Despite following instructions, bruising may occur (especially treatments around the eyes.) There may be small injection site marks immediately after the procedure that resolves quickly.
- Take oral Sinnech (Arnica Montana) on the day prior to your injections if you would like to reduce bruising and swelling.
- Stop aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications or herbal supplements for two weeks prior to injections to prevent bruising.
- Don’t have Dermal Filler injections within one month of any laser treatment: the laser will reduce filler longevity.
- Don’t expose yourself to extreme heat for three hours after injection—avoid hot shower, bath, Jacuzzi tub, steam room and all aerobic activities.
- Don’t position yourself (e.g., lie down) on left or right side and take a nap, watch television, etc. within 4 hours of getting these procedures.
Receiving Neurotoxin and/or Dermal Fillers
- Your Doctor will consult with you to determine exactly what areas you want to address. If choosing Dermal Filler, he/she will review which filler is best for your particular situation.
A topical anesthetic will be applied for 20-30 minutes prior to your injections. The neurotoxin and/or Dermal Filler injection process is very brief. Some patients report that the Dermal Filler injections are somewhat more sensitive than the neurotoxin injections.
Post Procedure Care for Neurotoxin & Dermal Fillers
- There may be slight bleeding from the injections, which can easily be dabbed away.
- There will likely be bruising.
- Ice packs may be applied to the injection sites to relieve sensitivity.
- Continue with your daily routine.
- Try sleeping on your back for the first two nights following Dermal Filler injections to avoid any filler movement.
- Dermal Filler injections in the lips may appear more pronounced due to swelling within the following 24 hours but will soon subside.
- Slight bruising may occur at injection sites after a day or two, this can be easily covered with concealer
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office at 901-759-2322.
