GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Avoid direct sunlight and keep skin moist and cool to aid healing.
• Avoid environmental irritants during healing process (e.g., dust, dirt, aerosols, cleaning agents).
• Avoid dryness and excessive heat (no high heat on blow dryer, medium heat is fine during healing process).
• Avoid any vigorous exercising for 2 weeks.
• Stay hydrated, eat healthy foods, and avoid alcohol.
• Redness and a sunburn-type sensation will normally last several hours.
• Neck redness is more persistent and will usually last several days longer than face redness.
• Face will normally bronze and peel within 3-5 days (Note: skin below neck normally requires up to 2 weeks to bronze and peel).

DAY OF TREATMENT:

• Keep treated areas covered with topical ointment/cream as instructed by physician.
• Apply cooling compresses (e.g., bag of frozen peas or wet paper towels frozen in Ziploc bag) Note: do not apply ice directly to skin and do not use towels as detergents may irritate skin.
• If desired, you may spray water mist on skin using distilled or spring water.  May take an analgesic (e.g., Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen) for discomfort.

FIRST NIGHT:

• Sleep with head slightly elevated.
• Place paper towel over pillow to protect from ointment/cream.
• If experiencing irritation to the eye, may use an eye lubricant (e.g., Systane™).

DAY 1 (FIRST DAY AFTER TREATMENT):

• Avoid direct sunlight and excessive heat.
• Begin washing face 2-3 times a day with 2 cups distilled water room and 1 tablespoon of white distilled vinegar.
• May take shower and wash hair. Avoid hot water.
• Re-apply Aquaphor to treated area. Ensure skin remains constantly moist.

DAY 2-3:

• Swelling should subside and skin may bronze and feel gritty.
• Itching (particularly along the jaw line) tends to begin on this day.
• Continue applying ointment/cream (and cool compresses, if needed).
• Continue washing face with Cetaphil and room temperature water.
• For extreme itching, hydrocortisone cream (OTC 1%) may be applied. AVOID picking and/or scratching.

DAY 4-7:

• Itching has usually subsided.
• You may start more aggressive washing with fingertips to promote further exfoliation (do not pick).
• Use non-irritating sun block SPF 30+ with zinc oxide (7-9%) and/or titanium dioxide when going outside.
• You may apply mineral makeup (powder).

DAY 7-28:

• Continue appropriate moisturizer until the skin has hydrated back to its normal level (3-4 weeks).
• You may start a regular skincare program as long as the treated area is healed (no exfoliation).
• Continue applying non-irritating sunblock (SPF 30+) and use mineral makeup (powder) to protect treated areas (do not use liquid foundation as it may clog pores and irritate new skin).
• Avoid exposure to the excessive sun for up to 4 weeks (hat or clothing must be used to protect treated areas).
• You may return to exercise programs.