Aftercare and post-treatment protocols.
While all our treatments are based on clinical science, results may vary for different individuals.
Additionally, without the supporting at home treatments and skin care recommended by us, you may not obtain the best practice results that we wish to achieve.
If you do not believe you are achieving your required results, it is important that you speak to your therapist. We may need to vary treatment protocols, or indeed reconfirm our mutual goals and expectations.
Broken Capillaries and Red Spots
- Superficial cauterisation of capillaries will normally see their reduction in one treatment.
- Depending on the number of capillaries requiring treatment, a number of sessions may be necessary.
- Some redness will occur after the treatment and will usually disappear in an hour or so.
- Occasionally some small blisters may appear. This is perfectly natural and they should be allowed to heal naturally.
- Smaller cherry angiomas (red spots) will appear like freckles for a few days before disappearing. Larger, thicker lesions will become smaller and flatter but will require subsequent treatments.
- If you have sensitive skin, application of ice will promote faster healing.
- Occasionally some swelling may occur. This is particularly so if treatment is under the eye. This will subside after a few days.
- Larger capillaries may appear brown for a few days until the body reabsorbs them.
- Smoking will slow the rate of healing and also will increase the recurrence of new capillaries.
- Please avoid alcohol consumption and vigorous exercise, saunas and spas for 24 hours post treatment.
- Application of a quality skincare product recommended by your therapist will support your treatment by helping to strengthen the capillary walls minimising recurrence.
Body Sculpting
- Your skin may feel a little like a mild case of sunburn for a few hours. This rarely lasts longer than 72 hours.
- There may also be short term redness (hyperemia) and sometime swelling will subside after around 24 hours.
- Very rarely, there may be a blister or crusting. If any of these occur, please call our office.
- If the skin surface is disrupted, there is a possibility that the area may become either lighter (hypopigmentation) or darker (hyperpigmentation) in color compared to the surrounding skin. This is usually temporary, but, on a rare occasion, it may be permanent.
- As the fat cells are excreted from your body, you may experience softer stools for a few days post treatment and more frequent
- Sometimes some lumps and bumps may develop in the targeted area 24 to 72 hours following treatment. These typically resolve without intervention. It may take several weeks.
- You may require more than one treatment of the selected area
- Your subsequent treatments will take place at 4 -6 week intervals
- Be patient, it will take your body 2 – 3 months to expel the fat cells that have been destroyed. Remember they took a lot longer to get there in the first place.
Leg Veins
- Superficial fine red leg veins can be treated with the laser therapy alone or in association with sclerotherapy.
- Usually significant reduction in 1 to 3 sessions will be noticed.
- Some vessels may take up to 10 weeks to be reabsorbed by the body and disappear completely.
- Post treatment swelling is normal and should resolve in 2 -3 hours.
- Some vessels may appear to form a darkened appearance for a week or two post treatment.
- Refrain from vigorous exercise, hot baths or showers for 48 hours.
Port Wine Birthmarks
- Four to six treatments conducted 4 weeks apart will see reduction of the birthmark.
- There may be a slight redness for an hour or two. If this persists simply apply an ice pack.
- Occasionally some small blisters may appear. This is perfectly natural and they should be allowed to heal naturally.
- Use the prescribed skin care that your therapist recommends, particularly sun block.
Skin Tags
- Penundulated tags (ones that wobble!) will simply wipe away or fall off soon after treatment.
- Larger ones will be treated until they change colour and will normally fall off within a week or two.
- A repeated treatment will be necessary on large tags.
Skin Pigmentation, Pigmentation Lesions, Brown Spots, Sun Spots, Age Spots
- Treatment can take place every 2 to 4 weeks depending on your skin.
- There may be a slight redness for an hour or two. If this persists simply apply an ice pack.
- Four to Six treatments may be necessary.
- The lesions may darken and develop a “milo-like” appearance before falling off. Let this happen naturally, do not exfoliate for 14 days.
- Occasionally some small blisters may appear. This is perfectly natural and they should be allowed to heal naturally.
- It is essential that you use the sun protection and skin brightening products recommended by your therapist. This will protect from future damage, whilst working in association with your treatment to repair past damage.
Rosacea
Vascular lesions (refer to Broken Capillaries above) are treated at each session accompanied by a pain free rejuvenation treatment to
- improve health and restoration of the skin.
- You may experience reduced flushing as you undergo subsequent treatments.
- Specialist skin care and at home treatment plans will be prescribed for you to maximize results and strengthen your skin.
Acne
Initially, active acne is treated weekly for 4 weeks. After this your therapist will advise on your further treatment protocol, dependent on the response of your condition to treatment.
- A chemical peel or series of same may be required to maximise the efficacy of the laser treatment.
- Allow a further 8 – 12 weeks for the redness from the acne scarring to start to fade.
- Generally attempt to avoid all added sugar and minimize the consumption of dairy products.
- You will need to follow our recommended skin care routine, including cleansing with a salicylic cleanser.
- If you wear make up, only use a good quality mineral foundation.
- Change your pillow case every 2 nights
- Do not pick or squeeze the acne as this will promote further bacteria and make your condition harder to treat.
Collagen Regeneration
- Collagen regeneration is stimulated 3 – 5 days post treatment.
- Initial results are usually noticed approximately 2 – 3 weeks post treatment.
- Results are subtle but most noticeable after three – four treatments at monthly intervals.
- It is essential that you use the sun protection and renewal products recommended by your therapist. This will protect from future damage, whilst working in association with your treatment to repair past damage and maximize the results of your treatmet programme.
Stretchmarks and Scars
- Stretchmarks and scars are treated in 6 treatments usually 4 – 6 weeks apart.
- The treatment will remove redness and promote collagen formation. This will soften and fill the scar depression and improve texture.
- It is recommended that Vitamin E oil be applied externally daily between treatments together with a cosmeceutical body care serum recommended by your therapist.
Formostar Infrared Wrap
- Weight loss – a minimum of 9 sessions, scheduled for 2 – 3 treatments per week. Followed with a monthly wrap for maintenance.
- Pain Relief – Weekly sessions
- Usually you will feel more energetic following a wrap due to the increase in metabolic rate. This should last about 48 hours.
- Any feeling of sluggishness after a session, immediately or the next day is a sign of a slower metabolism or may also indicate high toxin levels. This will reduce with subsequent sessions.
- The release of toxins may also initially cause headaches, fatigue or even nausea. This should decrease after subsequent wraps but highlights the need for hydration during and post wrap.
- To maximise results, please do not shower for 2 hours post wrap. Your perspiration will not smell.
- Continue to hydrate post wrap and minimise carbohydrate intake for 24 hours following the session.
Tatoo Removal
Proper aftercare is necessary to prevent infection, skin texture change, or other unwanted side effects. 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.
You may 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 weeks, although this may vary.
- Keep the treated area clean and dry while it is healing.
- Clean the area gently with soap and water and then pat the area dry.
- You may apply a thin coating of antibiotic ointment up to three times a day for 3 days while the area is healing and you should keep the area covered with a sterile dressing for those 3 days.
- Blistering is common and is likely to occur 8 hours after your treatment.
- Do not be alarmed, blisters heal very well and are part of the normal healing process. Blisters indicate your immune system is healing the area and beginning to remove the ink from your tattoo. It is natural for blisters to pop, and this helps the skin to heal faster in many cases. Continue to put antibiotic ointment over the blisters once they have popped for at least 24 hours.
- You may apply cool compresses as necessary for 24 hours after the laser treatment to help reduce discomfort and inflammation.
- You may take plain paracetemol, but avoid aspirin (it can increase the risk of bruising and/or bleeding.)
- 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.
- Feel free to shower 2 hours after the treatment, but take care to avoid high pressure water hitting the treated area.
- Baths, hot tubs, swimming pool, or any form of soaking are not recommended until all blistering and scabbing are completely healed, as they may increase the risk of infection.
- Exercise is generally safe after treatment, taking into account the other aftercare instructions provided here.
- Wear a sun block with an SPF of 25 or higher over the area for 3 months following the treatment.
- Do not wear makeup or any cream or medication on or near the treated area unless recommended by our office for 48 hours.
- Itching is very common due to the dehydrating effect of the laser treatment. Use Bepanthen, vitamin E ointment, or hydrocortisone cream to keep the treatment area moisturized.
- If the area looks infected (honey coloured crusting and oozing or spreading redness), if you experience an unusual discomfort or bleeding, if any other complications develop, or if you have any questions or concerns, contact Lyte immediately.
- Of course, if you have any extreme reaction, seek immediate medical attention.
Hair Removal
Redness is a common side effect and may last a few hours to a couple of days after treatment
Apply soothing gel as recommended twice a day for 3 – 4 days if required.
Until redness has completely subsided avoid the following
- Applying makeup over the area unless it is good quality mineral foundation.
Ask your therapist for your correct shade. - The use of perfumed lotions or creams , exfoliants , loofah sponges, Retin A products etc
- Use only tepid water when showering
- Do not soak in baths
- Shaving
- Swimming pools and spas
- Activities that cause perspiration
- Sun exposure of the treated area
In case of crusting or swelling apply a soothing gel and advise us immediately
Over the next 2 -4 weeks the area may appear hairier as the hair sheds
Do not wax or pluck the hair. Allow the hair to shed naturally. A light exfoliation 2 weeks after treatment will assist in this, but only if the skin has returned to normal appearance.
