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GENERAL INSTRUCTION PRIOR TO TREATMENT

General Instructions (applies to all treatments):

- Avoid sun exposure and tanning beds for 4 weeks prior to treatment

- Avoid tanning sprays or creams for 2 weeks prior to treatment

- Avoid harsh exfoliants, glycolics and RetinA in the area being treated, at least 3 days prior to treatment

- Inform the office if you have a history of Herpes, cold sores or fever blisters in the area being treated

- Must NOT be pregnant or on Accutane in the previous 6 months

 

Permanent Hair Reduction:

- See general instructions, plus

- Avoid waxing, tweezing, threading or electrolysis for 4 weeks prior to treatment

-Shave the area to be treated 24 hours prior to treatment

 

Pigmented Lesion Treatment: (sun spots, age spots, etc.)

- See general instructions

 

Facial Vascular Treatment: (Rosacea, nasal alar weins, etc.)

-See general instructions

 

Acne Reduction:

- See general instructions, plus

- Discontinue topicals 24 hrs prior to treatment

 

Photofacial: (generalized improvement in skin tone, texture and pore size)

-See general instructions

 

Reduction of Wrinkles / Scars / Striae (stretch-marks): Laser Treatments for non-ablative skin resurfacing

-See general instructions, plus

-If you have had injectable fillers in the area being treated, allow 2wks from the time of the injection

-Your skin must be free of any open wounds or infections in the area to be treated

-A medical history of Herpes, Keloid Scarring, Vitiligo or Scleroderma must be discussed prior to treatment 

-Cleanse skin thoroughly with a mild soap 1 hr prior to treatment

-May apply a topical anesthetic to the area being treated 1 hour prior to treatment and again 30 min. prior to treatment (LMX is an over the counter anesthetic cream that can be purchased at your local pharmacy)

-Arrive for your treatment with the topical anesthetic on.

 

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact the office. 

 

Before your procedure

Your first step to a successful treatment outcome is a pretreatment consultation. A consultation will provide you with the information you need to make the treatment choices for your needs. It also provides your clinician with the information needed to determine the best course of laser treatment for your desired outcomes.

During your consultation, be prepared to provide information about your medical history and your goals for a procedure. This is also a good time to get answers to your treatment questions and to discuss treatment costs.

Treatment costs can vary widely and are based upon:

  • Medical history

  • Degree of the condition to be treated

  • Laser treatment type

  • Size of treatment area

  • Number of treatments needed

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​During your procedure

Before your treatment, your provider may measure the melanin in your skin to adjust laser power to your specific needs. This can be done by a visual exam using the Fitzpatrick Skin Type evaluation or by using a hand-held melanin reading device called the Skintel®. Assessing the condition of your skin is essential to avoid over-treatment or under-treatment and helps ensure the best aesthetic outcomes.

Your provider will work with you to help ensure your comfort and safety throughout the procedure. You may be given a topical anesthetic to help manage your comfort. During treatment, your clinician will move a handpiece over your skin, which will pulse as it emits the laser light. A flashing light, an audible tone, and a mild sensation on the skin will tell you when the handpiece is being pulsed. Depending on the treatment you receive this sensation may produce mild discomfort or none at all.

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After your procedure

Post-treatment recovery varies depending on your type of laser treatment and your medical history. Your clinician will provide you with specific follow-up care instructions. Below are some general guidelines for what you can expect as you heal.

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Non-ablative and IPL treatments

After your treatment, you can expect to resume your normal daily activities. You will notice redness at the treatment site, which should resolve in a day or two. You can manage any discomfort you have with wrapped ice packs or gel packs (do not apply ice directly to skin). Your doctor may also recommend an oral, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen) or analgesic (acetaminophen) to reduce discomfort. Use the medicine according to your doctor's recommendations.

You may bathe and shower as usual, but keep in mind that the treated area may be temperature sensitive. Until redness has resolved, avoid the following:

  • Sun exposure and tanning on the treated area. Apply an SPF 45 or greater sunscreen to prevent injury to the treatment area and to prevent changes in pigmentation.

  • Swimming, especially in pools with chemicals such as chlorine.

  • Hot tubs, Jacuzzis, and saunas.

  • Activities that cause excess perspiration or any activity that may raise your core body temperature.

  • Aggressive scrubbing and use of exfoliates on the treated area.

Non-ablative and IPL treatments

Pigmented lesions

You may notice that the treated pigmented lesion looks raised and/or darker with a reddened perimeter. This is normal and the lesion will gradually turn darker over the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours after treatment. It may turn dark brown or even black. The lesion will progress to darkening and/or crusting and will start flaking off in an average of seven to twenty-one days. The lesion will usually heal in twenty-one to thirty days. It will continue to fade over the next six to eight weeks. Do not to pick, remove, or pull at any darkened lesions, as scarring may occur.

Vascular lesions

Ablative laser treatments

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Non-ablative and IPL treatments

Pigmented lesions

Vascular lesions

The vessels may undergo immediate graying or blanching, or they may exhibit a slight purple or red color change. The vessels will fully or partially fade in about ten to fourteen days. Schedule a follow-up appointment for evaluation. Repeat treatments may be performed every seven to fourteen days if skin has fully recovered. One to four treatments may be necessary seven to fourteen days apart. Do not pick, remove, or pull at any darkened lesions, as scarring may occur.

Ablative laser treatments

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Aftercare

Have the Best Results

Proper aftercare is necessary to prevent infection, skin texture change, or other unwanted side effects. When you visit us at New Look Laser Tattoo Removal, we will give you aftercare instructions to take home after your treatment.  Tattoo removal is a relatively simple outpatient procedure, but we take care to inform you of the important steps you can take to achieve a great result.

The laser tattoo removal treatment creates a superficial skin wound. Some patients may experience bruising or swelling. There is immediate whitening of the treated area, which usually lasts for several minutes. Many clients then develop blisters, crusts, or scabs within 8 to 72 hours, which may last for 1 to 2 weeks or more. The treated areas may be pink or pale after the scab separates. Scarring, which can be hypertrophic or even keloid, can occur but is exceptionally rare. Reduced or excess skin pigment in the treated area can occur, and is temporary except in very rare cases. Healing is usually complete within 4 -6 weeks, although this may vary.

Aftercare to Follow:

  • For the next 24 hours: A cold compress and elevation are recommended to help reduce discomfort and inflammation.

  • Avoid for the next 24 hours:  Physical activity, hot showers and saunas.

  • Apply for the next 3 days:  Aquaphor, Elta MD Post Balm, Neosporin, Polysporin or A&D Oinment with bandage.  Any of these ointments will work. Change the dressing daily.

  • Avoid for the next 1-2 weeks:  Direct sun exposure, hot tubs, pool water and salt water until tattoo is healed.

  • Keep the treated area clean and dry while it is healing. Clean the area with antibacterial soap if needed and then pat the area dry. AVOID HIGH-PRESSURE WATER HITTING THE TREATED AREA.

  • Some scabbing, blistering, light bleeding and itching may occur. Immediately after treatment, there may be erythema (redness) and edema (swelling) at the treatment site. This usually lasts 2 hours or longer. The erythema may last up to 10 days.

  • Do not pop blisters. If you do blister, continue to apply one of the recommended ointments until the blister has popped naturally.

  • Do not pick at the scab or allow the skin to become scraped, as this may result in infection and scarring. Shaving should be avoided in the treated area until it is completely healed

  • You may notice that blistering may occur in some treatments and not others. If blistering does not occur, it does not mean that your most recent treatment was less aggressive or your treatment is not working. Sometimes your body will react, while other times it will not. Regardless, the treatment is working.

  • You may take only Tylenol to help with discomfort. Please avoid aspirins, ibuprofens and naproxens because they may increase the risk of bruising and/or bleeding.

  • Shaving should be avoided in the treated area until it is completely healed (5-10 days).

  • Please apply sunscreen everyday to the treated area after the tattoo has completely healed (5-10 days), even if clothing covers the treated area. Sun will travel through your shirt or pants. The use of sunscreen everyday on the area will also help the ink absorb and help with itching.

  • No active tan, self-tanner, bronzers or spray tan 4-6 weeks before and after treatment.

  • Massage the treated area 5-10 minutes daily after treated area has healed (5-10 days). Daily massage will help ink absorb.

  • Remember, not all tattoos will clear 100%. Your tattoo may just fade.

  • Please call your primary care physician if an infection occurs.

  • If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.

  • Remember: Drink lots of water!

Looking for a tattoo removal expert in Houston? Contact New Look Laser Tattoo Removal today.

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