Things to Know Before and After Picolaser Treatment by 22 Square Clinic Doctors
Laser treatments are a popular method for addressing various skin issues, such as sun spots, acne scars, and enlarged pores. Picolaser is one of the advanced and highly effective technologies. If you’re considering Picolaser treatment, here are some important things to know before and after the procedure to ensure maximum effectiveness and minimize the risk of side effects.
Risks of Treating Freckles and Sunspots:
- When treating freckles and sunspots with Picolaser, there is a risk of dark spots appearing. Most of these will fade within 3-6 months. However, if external factors such as irritating skincare products, sun exposure, or heat are present, the risk of dark spots increases, and they may take longer than 6 months to fade or may not fade at all.
Treatment Results:
- Using the Picoser 532 nm laser to treat freckles and sunspots may not completely eliminate them in one session, as the lesions might contain a significant amount of pigmentation or have deeper layers in the dermis. However, most patients show improvement after 1-2 laser treatments, and additional treatments may be needed for other types of lesions.
Treatment for Acne Scars and Enlarged Pores:
- Fractional Picolaser 1064 nm treatment for acne scars and enlarged pores may cause scabs or abrasions on the skin for 7-10 days. During the first 3-4 days after the laser treatment, there may be some itching at the treated areas. Acne scars and pores usually improve after 2-3 laser sessions, depending on the severity of the condition. Potential complications, such as dark spots or skin infections, are rare.
Risk of Acne Breakouts:
- After Picolaser treatment, there is a chance of acne breakouts.
Topical Anesthesia:
- Apply a topical anesthetic 30-60 minutes before the laser treatment to help reduce discomfort during the procedure. Although topical anesthesia may cause skin irritation, even after using a pre-anesthetic irritation-reducing cream, if irritation occurs, a steroid cream can be used to alleviate the symptoms. The doctor will assess whether it is safe to proceed with the treatment.
- Strict adherence to both pre- and post-treatment instructions will help ensure the effectiveness of the Picolaser treatment and minimize the risk of side effects. Proper skin care before and after treatment will aid in faster recovery and improve the health of your skin.
Cold Compress:
- Apply a cold compress immediately until the burning sensation subsides.
Use of Steroid Cream and Antiseptic:
- Apply steroid cream and antiseptic as prescribed.
- Avoid washing your face for 24-48 hours. If itching occurs, use a cool saline-soaked gauze to compress the area. After 24-48 hours, wash your face with a mild soap with no foam.
Care for Laser Scabs:
- Scabs from Picolaser treatment for freckles or sunspots (Picolaser 532 nm) should not be rubbed or peeled off. Allow the scabs to naturally fall off after approximately 7 days to prevent infection and dark spots.
- Scabs from Fractional Picolaser 1064 nm used for acne scars or pore tightening will begin to shed after 5-7 days. Do not rub or peel the scabs to avoid infection and dark spots.
Post-Laser Home Care:
- If the treated area gets wet, gently pat it dry immediately to reduce the risk of infection and dark spots.
- Steroid Cream Application: Apply steroid cream twice daily, morning and before bed, for 3 days, as the first layer of treatment.
- Moisturizing Cream: Use a moisturizing cream (e.g., Instant Calming, Aquaphor, Cerave, Cicaplast) at least twice daily, morning and night. Reapply as needed if your skin feels dry. Keeping your skin moisturized helps the healing process and prevents dark spots.
- Antiseptic Cream: Apply antiseptic cream twice daily, morning and night, until all scabs have fallen off. Do not apply too thickly to avoid acne breakouts.
- Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen at least twice a day, in the morning and noon, as the final step in your skincare routine. Start using sunscreen on the 4th day post-laser. For the first 4 days, avoid direct sun exposure unless necessary.
- AK74 Cream: After 2 weeks, start applying AK74 twice daily, morning and night.
- Oral Dark Spot Reducer: Take one pill twice a day after meals for 7 days (as prescribed by the doctor).
Sun Protection:
Avoid sun exposure strictly for at least 2 weeks after treatment.
Preventing Dark Spots Post-Laser:
Dark spots may still appear post-laser treatment due to various factors, such as skin type, color, and genetics. Even if aftercare instructions are followed correctly, dark spots may still develop.
Skin Tone Recovery:
During the first week after a facial laser treatment, your skin may darken slightly. However, skin tone will improve by the second week post-treatment.
Wearing Face Masks:
Wearing a mask may cause irritation, potentially leading to dark spots. It is recommended to use soft masks and change them every 2-4 hours.
Makeup:
You can start applying light makeup once all scabs have fallen off and there is no burning sensation in the skin.
Avoid Acne Medications and Creams:
Avoid using acne treatments, whitening creams, or cosmetics containing fragrances, acids, or exfoliating ingredients during the first 2 weeks after laser treatment.
Following Precautions:
Strictly following the pre- and post-treatment instructions will help improve the effectiveness of the treatment and minimize the risk of side effects. Proper skin care after treatment will help your skin heal and become healthier.
Skin Care at 22 Square Clinic
At 22 Square Clinic, we are committed to providing exceptional care for your skin concerns with attention to detail. Our team of expert dermatologists ensures that your comfort and skin health are our top priority. We are a House of Picolaser, dedicated to giving you the best results.
