Prep Care (what to do before your appointment):

• 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 practitioner know if you have a history of hyperpigmentation.
• 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 have subsided.
  

On the day of your appointment:

• Come to your appointment with a clean face- remove all makeup if the area to be treated is the face.
• If applicable, dress so that you may modestly expose the treatment area.

Post Treatment Care:

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
  automatic cleaning exfoliants 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
• Makeup can be applied immediately
  (if the skin is not broken) we recommend mineral-based makeup.
• Avoid the sun and use sunscreen. We recommend  SPF 35 or higher.
• Avoid excessive heat or friction to the treated area (heavy exercise, saunas).

**NOTE: 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.**