BBL® Laser Pre- and Post-Treatment Instructions

Pre-treatment instructions

• Avoid direct sun exposure, tanning beds, and sunless tanner for two weeks prior to your session.
• Stop using retinoids and other irritating skincare ingredients like AHAs and BHAs (i.e., glycolic or salicylic acids) a minimum of 3 days prior to your session around treatment.
• If you have a history of oral herpes infection ("cold sores") and you are having treatment around the mouth, it is recommended to start an anti-viral medication (i.e., acyclovir or valacyclovir) one day prior to treatment and continue for 5 days after to reduce the risk of an outbreak. Notify the office if you need a prescription.

Post-treatment instructions

• You may feel a warm, sunburned sensation for approximately one hour post-treatment.
• Sleep with a clean pillowcase and head slightly elevated. This will help reduce infection and swelling. After 24 hours, you may begin using a gentle cleanser and moisturizer, but do not resume any harsher skin care products such as retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, or benzoyl peroxide until skin is fully healed (approximately 2-4 days after treatment).
• Makeup can be applied after 24 hours, but it’s best if mineral based to allow the skin to continue to breathe and heal.
• Avoid intense workouts and other conditions where you will sweat significantly for 48 hours, or until skin is healed.
• Having a sandpaper texture to the skin for 3-4 days is normal. Treated brown spots or vessels will be darkened temporarily for a few days and then usually flake off within about 1-2 weeks. DO NOT pick the skin.
• Avoid sun exposure for 2 weeks post-treatment and use SPF 30+ daily. Your skin will be more sensitive and prone to burning.