Do you take insurance for any services?

Yes, PPO insurance only. Many pre-cancerous skin diseases (eg.actinic keratosis) and acne related skin treatments and consultations maybe covered by some insurance plans.

Pre Treatment Instructions:

• Avoid tanning to the treatment area for 2-3 months prior to therapy. This includes self-tanning creams.

• Avoid plucking, waxing, depilatory creams, or electrolysis at least 4 weeks prior to treatment.

• You may shave right up to the time of treatment, and throughout the course of treatment

• When you come in for the treatment you should have a light stubble (1 or 2 days growth) in the area to be treated. Be sure to wear no make up.

• You might need to apply an anesthetic cream to the treatment area depending on what area is to be treated and your pain tolerance level. In some cases a pain pill taken before treatment may be appropriate. The Doctor or Nurse consulting you will discuss this with you.

• Avoid any Retinol (Retin-A) or light sensitizing medication (e.g. tetracycline) 2 weeks before treatment.

• Inform us if you have had a recent herpes infection (cold sores) or genital Herpes, in the area to be treated.

Post-Treatment Recommendations:

• A mild sunburn-like sensation is anticipated. This usually resolves within 2-3 hours of treatment, but may persist for up to 2 days. Application of chilled Aloe Vera gel, or of an ice pack every hour for 5-10 minutes may be soothing to the skin. Continue until symptoms subside.

• Avoid sun exposure to treated areas. Apply a sun-block with SPF 30 or greater daily to sun-exposed treated areas between treatments and for 4-6 weeks after last treatment.

• Bathe or shower as usual avoiding hot water. Treated areas may be temperature sensitive. Avoid use of strongly scented lotions or soaps, prescription strength exfoliant creams, loofa sponges, and aggressive scrubbing to the treated areas.

• Until redness has completely resolved (usually 1-2 hours), AVOID all of the following: Applying make-up over treated areas, shaving, Swimming, especially in pools with chemicals/chlorine, Hot-tubs and Jacuzzis, Activities that cause excessive perspiration.

• Allow any blistered or open areas to heal spontaneously. If healing is delayed a thin coating of antibiotic ointment may be advised. Don not pick at these areas. Picking may result in infection or scarring. Allow any crusting to heal spontaneously, crusting will resolve in 3-14 days. Application of antibiotic ointment is not recommended for crusting.

• Appearance of “stubble” may appear in 1-4 weeks. This is not hair re-growth. It is the remnant of treated hairs being expelled from the damaged follicle. Allow this hair to fall-out of the skin on its own or by gently washing with a warm washcloth. Do not pluck or tweeze.

• Hairs may enter the active growth (anagen) phase within 1-6 months, depending on the body area treated. Follow up treatment may be performed within 6-8 weeks of new hair growth.

Intense Pulse Light (IPL) Photo facial, Pigmented and Vascular Lesions Pre and Post-Treatment Recommendations

Pre- Treatment:

• If you use Retin–A or Retinol products you must be off these products for 5 days before and 5-7 days after your treatment.

• Avoid the sun for 2-4 weeks before, after and for the entire duration of treatment.

• Direct Sun-light to the area should be avoided. Wear a physical Sun-Block daily of SPF 20 or above (recommend SPF 30 or above), that contains zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or parsol listed in the ingredients.

Post-Treatment:

• A mild sunburn-like sensation is expected. This usually lasts 2-24 hours but can persist up to 72 hours. Mild swelling and /or redness may accompany this, which usually resolves in 2-3 days. In some cases, prolonged redness or blistering may occur.

• The lesion may initially look raised and/or darker with a reddened perimeter. Apply cool/ice compresses to treatment areas for 10-15 minutes every hour for the next 4 hours as needed, to reduce discomfort and heat sensation.

• The lesion will gradually turn darker over the next 24-48 hours. It may turn dark brown or even black.

• The lesion will progress to scabs/crusting and will start flaking off in 2-3 days. Do not pick, scratch or remove scabs. This will prevent unwanted side effects. Keep scabs soft with a lubricating cream such as Aquaphor. The lesion is usually healed in 7-10 days. It will continue to fade over the next 2-4 weeks.

• Direct sunlight to the treated area should be avoided. Daily application of a #30 SPF is recommended to prevent development of new lesions.

• Excessive Swelling or bruising may occur immediately after treatment, this is temporary and not harmful. Apply a cold pack and/or a hydrocortisone cream every 12 hours for the first 48 hours then as needed which may help reduce the swelling. Bruising will resolve in 7-14 days.

• Microdermabrasion is advised 7-10 days after a photo facial to help with exfoliation.

• 3-5 days post treatment treat skin lightly with no harsh creams (AHA’S, Glycolics, Benzyl peroxide, Retin-A or Tretinoin products). Tepid water only.

• Moisturize well with a gentle aloe or light moisturizer.

• Chemical peels are not recommended during the span of treatment.