After Care
Click on your treatment below to find information on after care instructions.
Biopsy
Take the bandage off tomorrow.
Treat the area like a regular cut.
Clean with soap and water in the morning and evening.
Use Aquaphor/Cerave or plain Vaseline on the area.
Change the bandage every day with a new one for the first week. You can stop at this point if the area appears to be healing properly.
If sutures need to be removed, they should be removed in 7 days (if on the face) and 10 to 14 days (if on the body). Suture removals will be done in our office by one of our medical assistants.
Chemical Peel
Skin will resemble having a sunburn.
Please limit sun exposure as much as possible for the next week following treatment.
If going out in the sun, please use a broad spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher. We also recommend wearing a wide brim hat.
Make up can resume the next day.
Do not use any retinoids for 2 weeks.
Resist the urge to pick off peeling skin.
Cryotherapy (LN2)
The lesion will be red and usually results in a blister or scab. Try to keep the blister intact.
The resulting scab should fall off on its own in about 2 weeks.
A pink or white mark may remain but should fade over time. Patience is key!
Please use a small amount of Aquaphor/Cerave or plain Vaseline daily.
Keep the area clean with soap and water.
Typically, no bandage is required.
Electrocautery
The lesion will be red and usually results in a scab.
The resulting scab should fall off in about 2 weeks.
A pink or white mark may remain but should fade over time. Patience is key!
Please use a small amount of Aquaphor/Cerave or plain Vaseline daily.
Typically, no bandage is required.
Microneedling
Skin will be red for the next few days, similar to a mild sunburn.
Higher intensity sessions can result in bruising. This should resolve in a few days.
Please limit sun exposure as much as possible for the next week following treatment.
If going out in the sun, please use a broad spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher. We also recommend wearing a wide brim hat.
Keep the skin clean with gentle cleaners (such as Cetaphil) twice a day.
Use a hydrating moisturizer at least 3 times a day for the next week.
Make up can resume the next day.
Do not use retinoids for 2 weeks.
Neurotoxins (Botox & Dysport)
Mild swelling may occur after the treatment. Use ice or a cold compress if this happens.
Rarely, bruising can occur at the injection sites. This usually resolves in a few days.
Please do not lie down for 4 hours after receiving injections.
Surgical Excision
Keep dressing clean, dry and intact for 24 hours.
After 24 hours, you may remove the dressing.
Please clean the surgery site with mild soap and water. Avoid water hitting the site directly. Please refrain from scrubbing the area. Cleanse the wound daily.
Pat dry and apply Aquaphor/Cerave or plain Vaseline to the wound twice a day.
Do not let the wound dry out or allow a hard “crust” to form.
Cover with a non-adherent dressing such as a bandaid or Telfa dressing.
We recommend an ointment with silicone or silicone scar pads to help improve the appearance.
If painful, take Tylenol, 2 tablets every 4-6 hours. Follow medication instructions.
You can also apply ice, alternating on and off every 20 minutes.
Avoid non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (such as Aspirin, Aleve, Motrin, etc.) if possible, as they are more likely to cause bleeding.
If bleeding should occur, apply constant pressure for 20 minutes (no breaks to peak at the wound).
If the surgical site was on your head, sleep with your head elevated.
If the leg or arm was operated on, elevate the extremity to the best of your ability.
For legs, we also recommend compression socks be worn while awake for the next 2 weeks.
If you had surgery near your mouth or cheeks, avoid excessive chewing or talking for the first 3 days. Semi-soft foods are recommended during this time.
You can start scar cream 1 month after the surgery to help improve the appearance.
Avoid any lifting or bending at the waist for 3 days.
Avoid lifting anything over 15 pounds until the suture removal.
Avoid alcohol for 2 days and smoking for 1 week following the procedure.