Medical Procedure Pre-treatment Instructions
Hello and welcome to Nouvelle Medical Aesthetics; we are happy that you chose our office for your aesthetic needs. We want your experience to be the absolute best, so we have composed a list of pre-treatment instructions to ensure that you are prepared for the treatment you have scheduled with us. For your convenience, we have all our directions listed in case you have more than one treatment scheduled at the same time. Please locate below the pre-treatment instructions that apply to your upcoming appointment.
It is important to follow your instructions to avoid having to be rescheduled and the fees associated, or deposits lost as a result of not being prepared. We do require a minimum of 48-hours’ notice to avoid fees up to and including the loss of deposits and/or pre-paid treatments. Please take a moment to review the instructions and follow all steps that apply to you. Should you have any questions, please call our office promptly so that we can address those questions before the 48-hour window.
Day of appointment before entry:
- Clients should be in good health on the day of their appointment.
- Clients may or may not choose to wear a face mask when entering our office.
- We ask that you not bring children. Unfortunately, this means your babies either, that we typically love to see. This is a precaution to protect the little ones as well as our patients and staff.
Laser Hair Removal:
Please follow all pre-treatment instructions to ensure the most safe and effective treatment. Needing to be rescheduled due to not following these directions will result in a rescheduling fee or the loss of your treatment scheduled for that day.
Ø Avoid direct sun exposure to the treatment area(s) during the course of laser hair removal treatments for at least 2-4 weeks prior to treatment; this includes tanning beds and self-tanners. The fairer your skin, the more comfortable and effective your treatment will be. It will also decrease your risk of having an adverse effect.
Ø Please note that we are unable to treat if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Ø No pre-removal of the hair by plucking, waxing, tweezing, threading, or chemical depilatories. The length of time depends on the area being treated. For the face this means for 3-4 weeks, for the torso of the body this means 5-7 weeks and for the legs this means 7-8 weeks before appointments.
Ø No IPL in the same treatment area(s) for at least 30 days before or after laser treatments.
Ø Avoid caffeine before your treatment to be as comfortable as possible.
- Please be cleanly shaven when you arrive for your laser treatment. Hair on top of the skin increases your risk for adverse reactions. If we need to shave the area for you, please have our receptionist schedule extra time for that. There is a $75.00 fee that will be added as it takes room time and resources to do this. If needed, we can do a quick complimentary spot shave if it takes only a minute or two. We have a fixed amount of treatment time booked which is non-reimbursed if you are not ready. You can take a picture prior to shaving to show us if you want or if your clinician requests this.
- Shaving the treatment area in between appointments is fine. Plucking, waxing, tweezing may cause sub-optimal results.
- Before treatment, discuss any recent health or medication changes, including over-the-counter preparations, topicals, herbals, etc., whether or not they are prescription strength. Your clinician also needs to be informed of skincare topicals used in the treatment area such as Retin-A, Renova, and Tazorac and other similar products. You must not use these products for 1 week prior or after treatment.
- If you tend to get cold sores after sun/light exposure, you may want to pre-treat with anti-viral medications. If you do not have a prescription, you can also try over the counter Lysine as directed on the label.
Dermal Fillers:
Ø Please note that we are unable to do this procedure if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Ø No recent illnesses. We want the best results possible. You should not be treated with dermal fillers if you have had a recent illnesses or a virus within 4 weeks of the treatment.
Ø No vaccines 30 days PRIOR to OR 30 days AFTER dermal fillers. Vaccines heighten the body’s immune response to fight and we don’t want it fighting the newly placed filler.
Ø No dental procedures or cleanings done within 30 days PRIOR to OR 30 days AFTER dermal filler treatments.
Ø No travel. We will need to reschedule your appointment if you will be traveling away from the area within 2-3 days after your treatment. The risk of an adverse reaction is rare and is reported to most likely occur within 48-72 hours after treatment. Our trained staff are here to manage this, if needed. The unique risks of aesthetic procedures are not well known by health care practitioners that are not in this industry. Prompt care makes all the difference in your ultimate result.
If we are moving forward with treatment, please adhere to the following:
Ø Avoid alcoholic beverages 48 hours prior to treatment (alcohol increases the risk of bruising/swelling.)
Ø Avoid blood thinning preparations, if possible, for 5-7 days before treatment. Medications and supplements such as aspirin, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, St. John’s Wort, Omega 3/Fish Oil supplements, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Aleve and other NSAIDS have a blood thinning effect and can increase the risk of bruising. The use of Tylenol does not affect the bleeding cascade.
Ø Discontinue Retin-A 2 days before and 2 days after treatment.
Ø Reschedule your appointment at least 48 hours in advance if you have a rash, cold sore or blemish in the area of treatment.
Ø Avoid caffeine the day of your treatment until after you have had your procedure. Caffeine can cause you to be more pain sensitive during treatment as it inhibits the numbing medication from reaching its full potential.
- Consider using Arnica at least 2 full days before your treatment if you are concerned with bruising.
- Dermal Filler appointments should be scheduled months prior to special life events, such as a wedding or a vacation, as treatments can take up to 4 weeks to achieve optimal results. Bruising and swelling may occur so allow plenty of time to heal, possibly enhance results and be photo ready!
- If you have a history of cold sores, please pre-treat with your anti-viral medications starting 2-3 days prior to treatment. Your primary doctor can prescribe antivirals such as Valtrex® or Acyclovir. Please follow the directions of your prescribing physician or on the bottle for recommended dosing. (We have found over the counter preparations to be less effective.)
- Arrive make-up free the day of treatment.
Botox/Dysport:
Ø Please note that we are unable to treat if you are pregnant/ breastfeeding or have any neurological disorders.
Ø Avoid alcoholic beverages 48 hours prior to treatment (alcohol may thin the blood and increase the risk of bruising)
Ø Avoid blood thinning preparations, if possible, for 5-7 days before treatment. Medications and supplements such as aspirin, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, St. John’s Wort, Omega 3/Fish Oil supplements, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Aleve and other NSAIDS have a blood thinning effect and can increase the risk of bruising. Use of Tylenol is fine. Consider using Arnica at least 2 full days before your treatment if you are concerned with bruising.
Ø Discontinue Retin-A 2 days before and 2 days after treatment.
Ø Reschedule your appointment at least 48 hours in advance if you have a rash, cold sore or blemish in the area of treatment.
Ø Avoid caffeine the day of your treatment until after you have had your procedure. Caffeine can cause you to be more pain sensitive during treatment.
Recommendations:
- Take the recommended daily allowance of zinc to potentially improve the duration of your treatment results.
- Schedule your Botox or Dysport appointment several weeks prior to special events which you may be attending, such as a wedding or a vacation as treatments can take up to 3 weeks to achieve optimal results. Bruising and swelling may occur so give yourself plenty of time to be photo ready!
- Lip Flips or treatments around the mouth-If you have a history of cold sores, please pre-treat with your anti-viral medications starting 2-3 days prior to treatment. Your primary doctor can prescribe antivirals such as Valtrex® or Acyclovir. Please follow the directions of your prescribing physician or on the bottle of L-Lysine for recommended dosing. (We have found that over- the- counter preparations tend to be less effective.)
Micro-Needling and Micro-Needling with PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma):
Ø Please note that we are unable to treat if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Ø Avoid sun exposure, tanning beds and self-tanning products for a minimum of 4 weeks before treatment. We will not treat recently tanned or sunburned skin.
Ø No Accutane use for at least 6 months prior to receiving treatment.
Ø No chemical peels, of any type, for 2 weeks prior and after treatment in the area we are treating.
Ø No Retin-A, Renova, and Tazorac or other similar products for 1 week before and after treatment.
Ø Waxing and/or use of chemical depilatories must be avoided for 2 weeks prior to and after the treatment. Shaving is allowed immediately before treatment and after the treatment, once the skin has returned to normal.
- Tattoos- Advise your practitioner of any flesh-colored tattoos in the area of treatment.
- If you have a history of getting cold sores, pre-treat with your anti-viral medications starting 2-3 days prior to treatment. You doctor may consider antivirals such as Valtrex® or Acyclovir. Please follow the directions of your prescribing physician or on the bottle for recommended dosing. (We have found over the counter preparations to be less effective.)
- During the course of your treatments, notify our staff of any changes to your medical history, health status, or personal activities that may be relevant to your treatment.
- Eat a healthy diet and be hydrated so your blood will be at its best.
Recommendation for darker skin types: Use a good vitamin c serum on the area for at least 2-3 weeks before your treatment.
Day of Treatment Instructions for Micro-Needling:
Ø Arrive make-up free in treatment, including eye make-up, if we are treating your face. Mascara can flake during treatment creating a contamination risk. Lash extensions are ok. Sunscreen use is ok.
Ø Avoid caffeine the day of your treatment until after you have had your procedure. Caffeine can cause you to be more sensitive during treatment.
PRP for Hair Restoration:
Ø Please note that we are unable to treat if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Ø Avoid alcohol for 48-72 hours prior to treatment.
Ø Avoid blood thinning medications such as aspirin, naproxen or ibuprofen (Motrin). Vitamin E, Gingko Biloba, Garlic, Flax Oil, Cod Liver, Essential Fatty Acids (EPA, DHA), for at least 1 week prior to treatment. Tylenol is fine.
Ø No cigarette use for 3 days prior to treatment.
Ø Wash hair the day of treatment and do not use any products on the hair.
Ø Avoid indulging in strenuous exercises 24 to 48 hours prior to the procedure. Routine tasks are acceptable.
- Because PRP therapy involves drawing blood, eat healthy meals in the week(s) leading up to treatment and day of the procedure. Maintaining a healthy diet before treatments provides better blood samples for your treatments.
- Be hydrated before treatment. Drink water with meals starting 24 hours prior to treatment.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light):
Ø Please note that we are unable to treat if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Ø No tanned skin- It is imperative that the area being treated is not tanned. The IPL targets all brown coloring so will pull off the tan and put you at risk for a burn. You will be rescheduled if we are unable to safely do your treatment. You will also be subject to the fees, loss of deposit or treatment associated with not being prepared.
Ø No light sensitizing medications or products. You must not be taking or using any light- sensitizing medications or topicals in the treatment area(s). We also can’t treat you if you recently came off a light sensitizing medication until clears from your system. If something changes and you are unsure, please contact our office at least 48 BEFORE your scheduled treatment day.
Ø No immunocompromised patients, such as Lupus. IPL can exacerbate the illness.
Kybella:
Ø Please note that we are unable to treat if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Ø Avoid alcoholic beverages 48 hours prior to treatment (alcohol can thin the blood and increase the risk of bruising)
Ø Avoid blood thinning medications, if possible, for 7-14 days before treatment. Medications and supplements such as aspirin, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, St. John’s Wort, Omega 3/Fish Oil supplements, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Aleve and other NSAIDS have a blood thinning effect and can increase the risk of bruising. The use of Tylenol does not affect bleeding.
SculpSure™:
Ø Please note that we are unable to treat if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Ø Avoid sun exposure, tanning beds, self-tanners in the treatment area 14 days before your treatment.
Ø We can’t treat anyone that has been previously treated with Gold Salts. (Used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.)
- Shower or bathe the day of treatment to remove all perfumes, lotions, creams and body oils.
- If you have very thick hair in the treatment area, please shave the area(s) before arrival.
- It’s a good idea to eat a small meal and drink a glass or two of water before your treatment.
- Please use the restroom immediately prior to the start of treatment. If we have to stop the SculpSure device during treatment, we CANNOT recover the remaining time left and it will result in you losing treatment minutes.
- Be sure to discuss your medical history and medications you take with your treatment provider.
Esthetician Procedures
Chemical Peel:
Ø Please note that we are unable to treat if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Ø Avoid sun exposure prior to treatment. Sunburned skin cannot be treated.
Ø Do not bleach, wax, tweeze or use depilatory creams in treatment area for 3 days prior to peel.
Ø Discontinue use of retinoid (Retin A, Tazorac, Differin, etc.) products 5-7 days prior to treatment.
Ø Discontinue use of Alpha Hydroxyl Acids, Glycolic Acids, and exfoliants that are a 10% or higher concentration for 3 days prior to peel.
- If you have a history of cold sores, you may begin prophylactic antiviral therapy 3 days before treatment to lessen your risk of a break-out.
Microdermabrasion:
Ø Please note that we are unable to treat if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Ø Do not use Retin-A or other exfoliating creams 5-7 days prior to your treatment.
Ø Avoid sun tanning, tanning beds or creams/sprays for at least a week before treatment.
Ø No recent laser procedures. Laser hair removal-wait 2 weeks, IPL- wait 4 weeks, Pixel-wait 4 weeks.
Ø No Accutane use for 6 months before treatment.
Ø No recent chemical peels. For your safety, let us know about any skin treatment or procedures you may have had.
Ø No dermal filler injections for 4 weeks before microdermabrasion.
Ø No waxing the skin to be treated for a few weeks prior to microdermabrasion treatment.
*For any pre-treatment related questions and concerns, please make sure to call us at (530)758-5492 at least 48 hours prior to scheduled treatment to avoid a fee*
