Laser Treatment Pre-Care

• ABSOLUTELY avoid any type of sunburn or suntan for 4 weeks prior to laser treatments. You MUST avoid sun exposure for 4 weeks after laser treatments as well.
• Do not use any self-tanning lotions for 4 weeks prior to treatment. Failure to follow #1 and #2 may result in a burn.
• If you have a special event or vacation coming up, please keep in mind that you should schedule your treatment at least 2 weeks in advance.
• If you have a history of cold sores, we recommend you are pretreated with acyclovir prior to your injections. Please let us know if you need a prescription called into your pharmacy.
• Avoid alcohol, spicy food and cigarettes 24-48 hours before and after your treatment, as these may contribute to increased swelling, bruising, and irritation. Limit caffeine intake.
• It is not recommended to do laser treatments if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Please let us know if you have a history of melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
• If you have taken Accutane, you must be off it for 6 months before your laser.
• If you develop a cold/flu, cold sore, blemish or rash, etc. in the area to be treated prior to your appointment, please reschedule your appointment until it resolves.
• Please discontinue products containing retinols (Retin-A, Differin, etc.), or irritating skin products 1 week prior to treatments to avoid increased redness and irritation.
• We recommend waiting at least 2 weeks before and after your laser to have any other cosmetic facial treatments, including Botox, laser, ultrasound, peel, facials, microdermabrasion, etc. Please wait 4 weeks after filler for your Halo laser.
• Please come to your appointment with NO makeup on AND your hair pulled back with a headband if you are getting a facial laser treatment. Do NOT wear mascara please.
• If you do not already have a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF, please purchase these from the store. We recommend gentle products for healing like CeraVe or Vanicream.
• If you are on hydroquinone:
• Start hydroquinone nightly 3-4 weeks prior to Halo.
• Stop 5 days before Halo.
• Resume for 1 month after Halo.
• You may use your hydroquinone nightly for 8 weeks, taper off, then stop for 8 weeks.
• Follow instructions on numbing cream kits.

YOU MUST PICK UP NUMBING CREAM AT THE FRONT DESK BEFORE HALO and ARRIVE TO YOUR APPOINTMENT WITH NUMBING ON FOR AN HOUR PRIOR.

Halo/BBL Post-Care

• Immediately after treatment, swelling and a feeling of warmth is common, expected and may be significant. This can last 2-4 days. Use of a cold compress or ice packs will help to relieve the swelling. To avoid further swelling, you may sleep on an extra pillow tonight. The first morning post-treatment is when swelling is more prevalent, especially under the eyes. SWELLING MAY BE SIGNIFICANT – this is normal. You may use Tylenol for significant discomfort. Redness is normal and expected for the first 2-3 days. Pinpoint bleeding may occur. This can last for up to 12 hours depending on the treatment depth and may be isolated to certain treated areas.
• Avoid strenuous exercise and sweating until your skin is healed.
• On the 2nd or 3rd day after treatment, you will increasingly notice tiny dark spots (resembling coffee grounds) and bronzed appearance to the treated skin. DO NOT TRY TO SCRATCH THEM OFF. This is part of the healing process where treated tissue is working its way out of your body as new fresh skin is regenerated. During this time, your skin will be very dry and have a sandpaper texture and will begin to flake and peel. It could take 5-7 days for this process to be completed. If the neck, chest or anywhere on the body was treated, this process could take up to 2 weeks. DO NOT PICK, RUB, OR FORCE OFF ANY SKIN DURING THE HEALING PROCESS, THIS COULD RESULT IN SCARRING, PIGMENTATION COMPLICATIONS AND INFECTION! After the peeling process is complete, your skin will have a rosy, pink glow that will gradually resolve.
• Itching may be experienced during the healing phase and is completely normal. Oral Benadryl may help itching but can cause drowsiness. DO NOT SCRATCH the treated area as scarring and pigmentation complications can occur.
• If you develop a blister after treatment, keep it moist with Vaseline or Aquaphor, and do not pick at or pop it. This can be a normal part of healing. Please let us know if it is severe.
• Cleanse the skin two times a day with plain, lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser; e.g. Cetaphil, beginning the morning after the treatment. Use your hands to gently apply the cleanser and water and finish by patting dry with a soft cloth. DO NOT SCRUB, rub, exfoliate or use a skin care brush (e.g. Clarisonic) in the treated area. Do not shave your face until it is healed, but you may use a trimmer.
• Moisturizer should be applied generously over treated area and reapplied whenever your skin feels dry. For severe dryness, add Cetaphil or EltaMD on top of your moisturizer or mix it in with it. You may also experience a breakout as your skin is healing.
• Sunscreen is a MUST and should be used daily beginning the day of treatment and used vigilantly for up to 3 months post procedure. Use recommended sunscreen with broadband protection (UVA and UVB) and a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30. Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. If direct sun exposure is necessary, wear a hat and clothing that covers the treated area. If treated area is exposed to sun (direct or indirect) blistering, scarring, hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation can/will occur. Sun exposure should be avoided for 1 month post treatment. You may resume your hydroquinone after peeling process (approximately 7-10 days).
• Sleep on a clean pillowcase tonight, use clean hands to wash your face, and wear a clean mask. If you had a HALO, drink lots of water after your treatment. For a BBL, you may wear makeup the next day. For HALO, try to avoid makeup until the peeling/flaking process is complete.
• We recommend waiting 3 weeks after your procedure to have any further facial cosmetic procedures including Botox, dermal fillers, microneedling, etc.
• We recommend making a follow up appointment in 4 weeks or scheduling your next BBL in 4 weeks. For the Forever Young BBL, the best results come from 3-5 initial treatments 4 weeks apart, followed by maintenance treatments 2 times/year.
• BBL/Halo treatments can trigger breakouts over the next two weeks. This is normal, let us know if breakouts are severe.

• BBL HERO Body Aftercare: Remember that skin on the body takes longer to heal than facial skin. Please allow up to 4 weeks for full healing and for all darkened pigment to resolve. Petechiae (small bruise-like red marks), urticaria (raised areas that resemble welts or swelling), redness and swelling are normal after treatment and will resolve.

Call the office immediately for any signs of infection:

• drainage (pus)
• increased warmth at or around the treated area
• fever of 101.5 or greater
• extreme itching, hives, or other concerns

Call (406) 587-4432 ext. 5 to reach a medical assistant.

BBL Forever Clear Post-Care

Patient response can vary after a BBL Acne treatment. Erythema (redness) is usually noted within a few minutes after the completion of the procedure and slight sun burn sensation in and around the area treated is also normal and expected. These reactions tend to subside within 1-4 hours after the treatment.

The treated area must be treated with care. BE GENTLE! Do not scratch or pick at your skin.

• Until sensitivity has completely subsided, avoid the following:
• Use of scented lotions or soaps, exfoliant creams (Retin-A, glycolic/salicylic and alpha-hydroxy acids), acne creams or gels, loofa sponges and aggressive scrubbing
• Discontinue oral antibiotics (such as oral doxycycline) 2 days prior to treatment, can resume 2 days following treatment or once sensitivity has subsided.
• Hot or cold water - wash with tepid water
• Shaving (you may use a hair trimmer but not a razor)
• Swimming pools and spas with multiple chemicals/chlorine
• Activities that cause excessive perspiration
• A cold compress or an ice pack can be used to provide comfort if the treated area is especially warm. This is rarely needed but if so, usually within the first 4 hours after the treatment.
• Makeup can be applied immediately after treatment as long as skin is intact and there are no signs of blistering.
• Vitamin E or Aloe Vera applied to the treatment area may provide a soothing effect.
Post treatment discomfort is typically minimal but if the area is very uncomfortable, Tylenol may be used.
• If the skin is broken or a blister appears, apply an antibiotic ointment and contact the office immediately. Keep the affected area moist and avoid direct sunlight.
• Strictly avoid any sun exposure to the treated area for a minimum of 7 – 14 days after the procedure. The treated area is more prone to sunburn and pigmentation change. Keep the area covered and use a sun block with a protection factor of 30+ reapplying the sun block every two hours. Delayed blistering secondary to sun exposure has been noted up to 72 hours post treatment.
• Subsequent treatments are typically every 2 weeks or until acne clears. The number and frequency of treatments required will depend on the severity of your acne and how well it responds to treatment.
• Clinical studies suggest that at least two BBL 420 nm acne treatments are needed to begin to see results and results have been reported to last up to 6 months.
• We recommend waiting 3 weeks after your procedure to have any further facial cosmetic procedures including Botox, dermal fillers, microneedling, etc.

Call the office immediately for any signs of infection:

• drainage (pus)
• increased warmth at or around the treated area
• fever of 101.5 or greater
• extreme itching, hives, or other concerns

Call (406) 587-4432 ext. 5 to reach a medical assistant.