Laser Treatment In Cedar Rapids

During your consultation, we’ll walk you through how to prepare for your laser skin resurfacing treatment.  Some general guidelines are to avoid getting sunburned or tanned before or after the procedure.

Generally, laser is considered mildly uncomfortable. We will numb the area. You can expect some discomfort after the procedure as well.  Your provider will walk with you every step of the way to help diminish discomfort. You will be provided with the proper skin care products to use after your treatment to reduce downtime.

At Skin Lounge in Cedar Rapids, we provide two options for laser treatment.

• Fractionated- This works by creating tiny, targeted micro-channels in the skin, which triggers the body’s natural healing process, resulting in firmer, smoother, and more even-toned skin. This has less downtime than ablative.
• Ablative – This treatment is one of the most effective cosmetic procedures for improving aging skin. It works by delivering an intense wavelength of light to the skin, which removes the outer layers of aged or sun damaged skin. In addition, the laser stimulates the underlying skin, resulting in collagen formation and an improvement in wrinkles. As skin heals following the procedure, new skin forms that is smoother and tighter.

Skin Resurfacing- 

BEFORE THE TREATMENT:

• Retinols, Tretinoin, Retin-A, Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide, AHA/ BHA and all other acids must be stopped for 1 week prior to treatment.
• No sun exposure, tanning, pray tanning or sunless tanner in the treatment area for 2 weeks prior to treatment.
• Discuss and disclose any healing disorders such as caused by diabetes mellitus, connective tissue disease or radiation/ chemotherapy.
• Discuss and disclose if there is an active infection or history of herpes simplex of the lips, mouth or face.
• Discuss and disclose allergies to topical anesthetics, antibiotics, or other medications.
• Do not proceed with the treatment if Isotretinoin (Accutane) has been used within the past 12 months.
• Discuss the history of any hypertrophic scarring or keloid formations or other skin diseases.

These medications including but not limited to should be stopped for at least 1 week prior to laser or light therapy.

• Antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, levofloxacin, ofloxacin, tetracycline, trimethoprim)
• Antifungals (flucytosine, griseofulvin, voricanozole)
• Antihistamines (cetirizine, diphenhydramine, loratadine, promethazine, cyproheptadine)
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs (simvastatin, atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin)
• Diuretics (thiazide diuretics: hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, chlorothiazide.; other diuretics: furosemide and triamterene)
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, piroxicam, ketoprofen)
• Oral contraceptives and estrogens
• Phenothiazines (tranquilizers, anti-emetics: examples, chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, promethazine, thioridazine, prochloroperazine)
• Psoralens (methoxsalen, trioxsalen)
• Retinoids (acitretin, isotretinoin)
• Sulfonamides (acetazolamide, sulfadiazine, sulfamethizole, sulfamethoxazole, sulfapyridine, sulfasalazine, sulfasoxazole)
• Sulfonylureas for type 2 diabetes (glipizide, glyburide)
• Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) in cosmetics

POST PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS:

• Discomfort can be felt for hours to days depending on depth of treatment.
• Tylenol for discomfort. Avoid anti-inflammatory medications.
• Swelling is normal; sleep with your head elevated for 2 days post-treatment.
• You might experience “weeping/oozing, swelling and redness for 3 to 10 days.
• Sleep on your back, on a clean pillowcase
• Clean skin with a mild, gentle cleanser provided by your treatment provider. Gently pat dry with a clean, soft washcloth two times per day. Reapply occlusive ointment or other moisturizers provided by your treatment provider, always keeping skin moist until re-epithelialization has taken place. This generally occurs between day 3 and 5. At that time begin the complete post treatment care provided by your treatment provider.
• Do not apply any other skincare products unless instructed by your provider.
• Do not scratch or pick at the healing skin.
• Continue to avoid direct sun exposure for the next 4 weeks, for best results up to 6 months. Skin will be more sensitive to the sun. Wear a Zinc/Titanium Dioxide based sunscreen.
• Wear a 4-inch brimmed hat and sunglasses whenever possible.
• Drink at least 64 ounces of water per day
• It is important to use any prescribed post treatment skincare products or medications as directed by your provider.
• You may resume makeup once skin has healed, typically between 5-7 days.
• No tanning, spray tanning or sunless tanners for 2 weeks post treatment.
• Dark skin is more prone to hyperpigmentation. Notify your provider as soon as possible if you notice any areas on your skin are beginning to darken.
• Contact provider if there is any indication of blistering or infection.
• Do not use Retin-A, Renova, glycolic acids, vitamin C products, glycolics or other irritants until all irritation from the treatment is resolved.
• Continue use of anti-viral medication if prescribed.

BEFORE FOLLOW-UP TREATMENTS:

• Disclose any new medications you may begin using during your treatment program.
• Inform us of any changes in your medical or tanning history at each visit.
• Inform us if you become pregnant.
• For maximum effect, treatments may be spaced one month apart.
• Treatments cannot be performed on areas with a suntan or sunburn. Avoid direct exposure to the sun, tanning beds 2 weeks prior to treatment. A broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher should be applied to any treatment area exposed to the sun.