Pre/Post Care Instructions for Fraxel

BEFORE TREATMENT 

It is critical to avoid sun exposure, tanning beds, and self-tanning for 2-4 weeks before and after treatment. Please plan your treatments accordingly. You may be turned away if you have had recent prolonged sun exposure (ie. Sunny vacation). 

Depending on your skin type, a pre treatment cream may be recommended 2-4 weeks prior to treatment.  

You may be asked to stop your tretinoin/retinoid or retinol products 3 days before treatment. 

IMPORTANT: If you have a history of cold sores or herpes simplex outbreaks, please inform your provider. Your laser treatment can temporarily flare the virus and your provider will prescribe an antiviral to prevent any outbreaks. You will start taking this medication the day before the treatment.  

DAY OF TREATMENT 

What To Expect 

Allow up to 2 hours for your appointment. We will apply topical numbing cream to the treatment areas. You will numb for 45 minutes. The laser treatment takes 20-30 minutes depending on how many areas you are getting treated. 

Your eyes will be covered with protective goggles during the treatment. 

You will feel some heat-related discomfort/pain localized within the treatment area. 

You may experience redness and swelling, resembling a sunburn for 5-7 days. 

You may experience temporary darkening and scabbing of the skin for 1-5 days (face) 7-21 days (neck, chest, hands). This is normal. While skin on your face will peel and reveal the new, rejuvenated skin underneath, non-facial skin (neck, chest, arms, hands) will temporarily change in texture and feel and appear snaky. 

It takes 7-14 days for your skin to fully heal from Fraxel. Results are usually revealed around 4 weeks post treatment. A series of 3-5 sessions is typically recommended for the best results. 

AFTER TREATMENT 

What To Avoid 

No hot baths or hot showers for 48 hours. Avoid heavy perspiration and overheating the treatment area. 

No harsh products such as exfoliants, retinoids or hydroquinone for 2 weeks until skin is fully healed (unless approved/recommended by your provider) 

DO NOT PICK OR SCRATCH. Allow your skin to gently exfoliate with gentle washing. 

Avoid intense sun exposure for 2 weeks  

What To Do 

Wash treatment area with warm water and a gentle cleanser 

Pat dry. Hydrate with serums and thick moisturizers that promote collagen and elastin 3 times a day. We recommend the following serums and moisturizers  

Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar  

SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum 

Neocutis BioSerum 

SkinMedia TNS Ceramide Cream 

Neocutis BioCream 

Apply Aquaphor or Cerave Healing Ointment as needed for dry skin 

Apply 30+SPF everyday 

Cover your treatment area with a hat or protective clothing for at least 2 weeks 

San Francisco 

2100 Webster Street #305 

San Francisco, CA 94118 

Ph:(415) 202-1540 

Fax: (415) 202-1543 

Tracy Evans, MD 

Clarence Chu, PA-C 

Krystal Shin, PA-C 

Molly Matice, PA-C 

Corte Madera 

770 Tamalpais Drive #403 

Corte madera, CA 94925 

Ph:(415) 924-2055 

Fax: (415) 924-2066