LIMELIGHT® IPL PHOTOFACIAL
Proper pre and post care is essential to achieving optimal results. If there are any outstanding questions after reading the information provided below, please do not hesitate to call us. We want to ensure all of your questions are thoroughly answered.
Avoid sun exposure (apply sunscreen daily and do not tan at all – including self-tanner) for 4 to 6 weeks before and after treatments.
Do not use any retinol products (or products containing tretinoin) or exfoliants on the area to be treated for one week. Avoid Accutane (or isotretinoin products) for 6 months prior. Let your doctor know if you have a history of hyperpigmentation.
If you have a history of fever blisters, notify your provider. We will write you a prescription for a prophylactic antiviral therapy to start on the day of the treatment to prevent a flare up of cold sores. If you have a current prescription, Valtrex 500mg should be taken by mouth twice daily on the day before, the day of, and the day after your treatment.
You must notify the technician if you have had any cosmetic tattooing on or near the area to be treated.
Photosensitizing medications including doxycycline and minocycline should be discontinued three days prior to the treatment.
Anticipate a social “down-time” of 2-5 days before any redness, swelling and sloughing of the sunspots has subsided.
Pre-treatment instructions
Post-treatment instructions
You may have a mild sunburn (burning) sensation following the treatment that is usually gone within a few hours. Skin redness is normal and may last a few days. There may be a slight amount of swelling. Crusting or blistering is uncommon and not serious. Pigmented areas may begin to flake after a few days.
Cold compresses may be useful for the first 24 hours.
Your skin will be fragile for 2-3 days. Use gentle cleansers , do not rub the skin and avoid hot water during this time. Do not use your Clarisonic or a loofah for one week.
Do not use any retinoids, tretinoins, alpha or beta hydroxy products, vitamin C products, scrub, exfoliate, or have chemical peels performed on the areas treated area for one week.
Avoid the sun and use a broad spectrum sunscreen.
Sun spots and age spots will DARKEN with the IPL treatments before they begin to respond and resolve. This is expected and a normal part of the IPL process. Do not pick these spots once they become dry. They will lift and fall off on their own.