Before a Pixel laser treatment, it's essential to follow specific pre-care instructions to ensure the best possible results and minimize the risk of complications. Here are some common pre-care guidelines that you may be advised to follow:

Avoid Sun Exposure: Stay away from excessive sun exposure for at least 2 weeks before your treatment. Sunburned or tanned skin can make the procedure riskier and less effective.

Stop Tanning Products: Refrain from using self-tanning products or getting spray tans for at least 2 weeks before your treatment. These products can interfere with the laser's effectiveness and increase the risk of complications.

Inform Your Provider: Be sure to inform us about any changes in your health, medications you're taking, or recent treatments you've had. This helps us plan the procedure based on your current health status.

Avoid Certain Medications: Aspirin, ibuprofen, and blood-thinning medications.

Stay Hydrated: Keep yourself well-hydrated in the days leading up to the treatment. Hydrated skin tends to heal better.

Avoid Chemical Peels and Waxing: Refrain from using chemical peels, waxing, or any other aggressive skin treatments on the area to be treated for at least 2 weeks before the procedure.

Cleanse Your Skin: On the day of the treatment, make sure your skin is clean and free of makeup, lotions, or any other skincare products.

Plan for Downtime: Pixel erbium resurfacing may require 5-7 days of downtime for your skin to heal properly. Plan to take a few days off from work or social events.

Numbing Cream: Before the procedure, we will apply a numbing cream to the treatment area. This helps to minimize any discomfort during the treatment.

Protective Eyewear: You'll be given protective eyewear to wear during the procedure to shield your eyes from the laser.

Laser Application: The Pixel laser will be applied to the targeted areas of your skin. The laser creates tiny channels in the skin, stimulating collagen production and promoting skin rejuvenation.

Sensations: You may experience sensations like warmth, tingling, or mild discomfort during the treatment. The level of discomfort varies from person to person, but the numbing cream should help to make it more tolerable.

Treatment Time: The procedure itself typically takes around 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area.

Post-Treatment Care: After the procedure, we will apply a soothing ointment or moisturizer to your skin to aid in healing.

Downtime: Pixel resurfacing can lead to some downtime, depending on the intensity of the treatment. Your skin may be red and slightly swollen for a few days to a week. Some people may experience mild peeling or flaking as the skin heals.

Follow-Up Instructions: We will provide you with specific post-treatment instructions to follow. This may include avoiding sun exposure, using gentle skincare products, and keeping your skin moisturized.

Gradual Improvement: Over the following weeks and months, you'll notice a gradual improvement in your skin's texture and appearance. Fine lines may diminish, and your skin may look smoother and more youthful.

Multiple Sessions: For optimal results, we may recommend a series of treatments spaced several weeks apart. Each session builds upon the previous one, leading to cumulative improvements in your skin.

Meticulous care is crucial after skin resurfacing; below are our recommendations for after treatment care. It is important to keep skin moist and discontinue use of all products containing alcohol or active ingredients.

DAYS 1 – 2

You will be experiencing redness similar to a sunburn or windburn. Your skin will sting similar to a harsh windburn. Your color may appear blotchy as areas where severely damaged skin will appear much more red and could even be puffy or swollen.

• Immediately after treatment, apply wound-healing product such as Aquaphor Healing Ointment and continue use for 2 days after treatment.

• During Days 1 – 2, cleans with only cool tap water and pat dry. Do not use cleaner of any type.

• Keep skin moist with a combination of the Aquaphor and cool water. Water may be gently sprayed on the area or applied with a damp cool compress. Only use suggested products during these 2 days.

• Discontinue use of any “active ingredient” products during the course of your treatments. These include Retin A or retinol products, Obagi, Dermesse, anti-aging creams, exfoliants, etc.

• Avoid being around harsh chemicals that may cause stinging (peroxide/hair color, alcohol, raw onions, raw hot peppers). If you come in contact with chemicals, wash hands, then rinse face with cool water for relief and re-apply Aquaphor.

DAYS 3 – 6

The redness and blotchy appearance of the most severely damaged areas will start subsiding. Your skin may appear more taut and shiny than usually. Although your skin looks fine, it is important to remember that you still have open wounds and must follow the treatment regime. Your skin will feel “crusty” and dry as the healing progresses.

• You may begin using a gentle cleanser in the morning and at night if you feel you need it. Do not rub skin, barely touch the skin and rinse thoroughly with cool or lukewarm water.

• Continue to keep skin moist with water and bland emollient ointments. You may soak skin in cool water or lightly spray cool water on the skin. You may also use a bland emollient ointment followed by a cool compress (damp wash cloth soaked in cool water). You may also mix a couple of drops of pure Vitamin E oil (no alcohol) with the Aquaphor prior to applying on skin. This will add to the moisturizing effect.You may also use pure Jojoba oil (no alcohol) instead of the Aquaphor. The frequency of soaks and ointment application decreases as healing progresses and is tapered off by days 5 or 6.

DAYS 7 -10

Your skin is now in the final stages of healing and will feel quite “crusty.” Care must be taken to avoid damage to the new skin that is less than one week old.

• Continue using a gentle cleanser with a gentle technique.

• Replace the Aquaphor used on Days 3 – 6 with a gentle moisturizer / sunblock during the day. Continue using the Aquaphor or oil at night for extra moisture.

• Continue keeping the skin moist with water and moisturizer.

• You may use a light exfoliant or porous gauze to remove “crusty” skin for a smooth surface.