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Dr. Saluja’s Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Pre-Treatment Instructions: Phone 321-757-7995

GENERAL:
 HFMG Dermatology has a 48 hour cancellation policy. HFMG Dermatology is committed to your skincare needs and has reserved that appointment for you.  Unprotected sun exposure or use of tanning beds or creams in areas to be treated needs to be avoided for 2 weeks prior to treatment, during treatment course, and 2 weeks after treatment. Be sure to avoid tanning, to wear protective clothing and hats, and to use SPF30 or higher sun block daily and reapply at least every 2 hours.  If you have a history of herpes (cold sores, fever blisters, genital herpes) within the treatment area, please inform us so we can evaluate and prescribe medication such as Acyclovir or Valtrex, if necessary. Start medication the night before or morning of treatment and continue twice daily for 3 days. Light can trigger a herpes flare.  Stop the use of exfoliating, anti-aging, or acne products to the treatment area. This includes stopping hydroxy acids (glycolic acid, Lac-hydrin, ammonium lactate), retinols, tretinoin (Retin-A, Refissa), Differin, Tazorac 5 days prior to treatment and the use of Efudex, Carac, Solaraze, Aldara 4 weeks prior to treatment. Restart only after treatment course is complete.  Stop the use of light sensitizing supplements such as St.John’s wort or sensitizing oral antibiotics such as doxycycline at least 1 week prior to treatment. If you’re on a blood thinner such as aspirin, it’s okay to continue but you may get more bruising and swelling.  **Pain: Treatment causes discomfort that ranges from very mild to more bothersome for some patients. If your
pain threshold is normal to high, take Motrin 800 mg, Aleve 2 tabs, or something similar prior to appointment. If your pain threshold is low, ask to have Percocet and Ativan prescribed. However, then, a driver is required. A nice alternative is to apply topical anesthetic (BLT) – this is available to be applied in the office but you must request and come in ½ hour prior to your appointment. We also can write a prescription for BLT, which is an anesthetic you can apply at home.
FOR HAIR REMOVAL:
 Patients with menstrual dysfunction (irregular periods) should be medically evaluated prior to IPL hair removal.  No tweezing, waxing, electrolysis, bleaching in area to be treated for 4 weeks prior to treatment and during treatment course. Depilatories are okay, although shaving is best.  Do shave hair in area to be treated day before or day of treatment.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
You cannot have IPL treatment :
 If you have a history of seizures. Flashing lights may trigger a seizure.
 If you are pregnant. There is no clinical evidence at this time of fetal harm, but the results of the treatment may
 If you have taken Accutane within the past 6 months. Accutane changes the structure of the skin, which may
 If you have a history of keloid and hypertrophic scar formation in the treatment area. Although scarring is
very rare, picking or pulling off scabs or crusting can result in scarring.  If you have an active infection. Reschedule when infection is cleared.
 If hair is fine in nature or light in color. Hair removal is not effective for this type of hair.

*We look forward to helping you achieve healthy, beautiful skin with IPL treatments.*

Dr. Saluja’s Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Post-Treatment Instructions: Phone 321-757-7995

GENERAL:
 A mild sunburn-like sensation is expected. This usually lasts 2 to 24 hours but can persist up to 72 hours. Mild swelling and/or redness may accompany this, but it usually resolves within 2 to 3 days.  Apply ice or cold gel packs to the treatment area for 10 minutes every hour for the next four hours, as needed. An oral pain reliever, such as Tylenol, Motrin, or Aleve, may be taken to reduce discomfort. Discomfort is usually mild. If you have swelling in the evening, it is ok to take Benadryl 25 mg prior to going to sleep and to sleep on a few pillows so that your head is elevated.  In some cases, severe swelling, redness, or blistering may occur. If this develops, please contact us. We would like to re-evaluate, rule out infection, and prescribe appropriate therapy such as corticosteroid ointment.  Bathe or shower as usual. Treated areas may be temperature sensitive. Cool showers or baths will offer relief. Avoid aggressive scrubbing or use of exfoliants for the first week after treatment.  Until redness has resolved, avoid hot tubs, Jacuzzis, and other activities that may cause excess perspiration or heat. Also, avoid sun exposure to treated areas as much as possible. Apply sunblock with SPF30 or greater, wear a protective hat and sunglasses to slow down new brown spots, blood vessels, and signs of aging.
FOR PIGMENTED LESION TREATMENT:
 The lesion may initially look raised and/or darker with a reddened perimeter. The lesion will gradually turn darker over the next 24-48 hours. It may turn very dark brown. The lesion may progress to scabs/crusting and will flake off over 7-14 days.  Do not pick at scabs.  The lesion is usually healed within 21 days, and repeat treatments can be done.  Direct sunlight to treated area should be avoided. Follow sun precautions as mentioned above.  Pigmented lesions may require some maintenance treatments as new sunspots develop – most patients consider
FOR VASCULAR LESION (BLOOD VESSEL) TREATMENT:
 The vessels may undergo immediate graying or blanching, or they may exhibit a slight purple or red coloring. The vessels will fully or partially fade within about 10 days.  Do not pick at any scabs.  Repeat treatments may be performed every 7 to 14 days. Vessels usually require some maintenance treatments – most patients consider this at 6 months.
FOR HAIR REMOVAL:
 Appearance of hair growth will continue for 7-30 days post-treatment. Much of this is not new hair growth, but the treated hairs being expelled from the skin.  Follow-up treatment varies depending on site, but usually is at 4-8 week intervals. Follow-up treatment is necessary because hairs that were in resting phase of growth at the time of treatment may enter the active phase.  Usually, 8 (10 for face) treatment sessions are done for hair removal.

Source: http://www.health-first.org/dermatology/saluja/forms/ipl_pre_post.pdf