Vein Removal Post-Treatment Chicago

Pre-treatment Info

Patients who are NOT candidates for this treatment:

• If you are pregnant or nursing.
• If you are currently on Accutane. Treatment can be done 6 months post the patient’s last treatment of Accutane – if the face is being treated.
• If you have an active cold sore/fever blister or skin infection.

2 Weeks before treatment:

Avoid sun exposure including tanning beds. Suntanned skin increases the chances of adverse effects, (blisters and/or scars) in addition to reducing the lasers efficacy. Make sure to wear an SFF 30 or higher with Zinc Oxide if you are going to be outside. Sunburned or tanned skin will not be treated.

1 Week before treatment:

Stop all sunless tanning products.

All skin irritants must be stopped (glycolic/ salicylic acids, benzoyl peroxide, retinol products such as Differin,Tazorac,Retin-A and Vitamin C) on the area being treated.

Advise staff if you are taking antibiotics. Certain antibiotics (Tetracycline, Doxycycline) can make a patient photosensitive, therefore, treatment may not be able to be done until two weeks after completion of antibiotic.

Stop all blood thinning medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Motrin, Aleve, or Advil) to reduce the chances of bruising. Tylenol is fine to take. Additionally, some vitamins and herbal supplements including Vitamin E, garlic, green tea, fish or flax seed oil, St. Johns Wort, ginseng, ginko can also increase chances of bruising.

Day before treatment:

Please let the staff know if you have a history of cold sores/fever blisters PRIOR to treatment so an anti-viral medication can be prescribed. Treatment on the face can not be done if you have an active cold sore or skin infection and will be rescheduled.

Day of Treatment:

If this is your first treatment, please arrive 30 minutes prior to take photos and make sure consents are signed.

Do not wear any make-up or moisturizers on the area being treated, however, we have cleaners that can be used for you to remove in the office.

If a patient chooses to use a topical numbing (anesthetic) cream, an application of a thin layer with an occlusive layer (saran wrap) to the treated area needs to be done 1 hour before treatment. Please purchase the topical anesthetic PRIOR to treatment from our staff. Instructions will be given to the patient at the time of purchase to ensure proper application. This option will be discussed in a consultation, although it is usually not necessary.

Post-treatment Info

It is normal for the area treated to have redness, swelling and feel like sunburn. A cold compress can be used to minimize discomfort and reduce swelling.

Bruising, especially if the lower extremities were treated, is common. Bruising can take several days to resolve. You can wear a support hose which will help minimize this. Bruising can also be present for up to 6 weeks post treatment on the lower extremities. Summer activities and events should be planned accordingly.

• No strenuous exercise 24hrs post treatment if the lower extremities were treated.
• Makeup, sunblock, and moisturizers can be applied immediately post treatment.
• Avoid flying for 48 hrs post treatment if the lower extremities were treated to reduce vascular complications.
• A non-exfoliant cleanser and light moisturizer can be used the day of treatment. If a blister develops, apply an antibiotic ointment (Polysporin) twice daily until it resolves.
• All skin irritants (glycolic/ salicylic acids, benzoyl peroxide), retinol products such as Tazorac, Differin, Retin-A, or Vitamin C can be resumed 1 week post treatment.
• Botox, Dysport and dermal fillers can be resumed 1 week post your treatment if the face was treated.
• Chemical Peels, Facials, and Microdermabrasion can be resumed 2 weeks post treatment if the face was treated.

If you experience any unusual signs of infection or increased swelling, please contact our office.