Active FX – Post Care Instructions

The Active FX uses a CO2 laser to ablate (remove) the top layer of the skin and apply heat to the lower layer of the skin leading to improved color, texture and collagen stimulation. You can expect 5-7 days of social downtime following this procedure depending on the depth of the treatment.

Items to have at home prior to procedure:

• Clean spray bottle for white vinegar water mixture: 1 teaspoon white vinegar to 1 cup cold. Place in spray bottle and keep in refrigerator.
• Old, but soft, pillowcase to sleep on as Restorative Ointment will stain.
• Medications prescribed by provider.
• Tylenol
• Oral Benadryl for itching
• Post care instructions products (Procedure 360 System) to be used in this order:

1. SkinMedica Facial Cleanser (morning and night)
2. White vinegar water mixture (see first bullet comment above)
3. Post Procedure Repair Complex (once daily)
4. Restorative Ointment (up to 3 times daily for the first 7-10 days after the procedure)
5. TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream (starting day 5)
6. Essential Defense Mineral Shield (starting day 6)

Post Care:

Day 1 of Treatment (day of treatment) :

What to expect:

• Moderate to severe discomfort due to heating of the skin that will resolve over the next 4-6 hours. You may notice pinpoint bleeding and may have blurry vision due to the ophthalmic ointment used during the procedure.
• Fanning may be helpful. Avoid the sun, or anything hot or heated.
• Do not wash treated areas or apply anything wet to treated areas. No soaks or wet washcloths.
• Tylenol may be taken for discomfort.
• Prior to bedtime apply a thin layer of Restorative Ointment to treated areas. Use an old pillowcase or towel to sleep on to protect sheets while using the Restorative Ointment.
• Try to sleep with your head elevated to reduce swelling
• Drink plenty of water while healing
• Take healing supplements for the next 3 months as directed by your provider

Day 2 

What to expect: 

• Moderate to severe swelling, especially around the eyes. Eyes may be swollen shut. Treated skin may have increased redness or become darker. Expect mild discomfort similar to sunburn. Typically, you look worse than you feel. The skin may feel very sensitive to your post-care products/treatments. 
• Take Steroid as prescribed 
• Take Antiviral as prescribed 
• Take Antibiotic as prescribed 
• Take Antifungal as prescribed (optional when treating neck and chest)
• You may want to avoid showering today due to the discomfort of skin, although allowed if needed. If you decide to shower, avoid streaming water directly at the face, do not use extremely hot water, and try to avoid getting shampoos and conditioners on the treated areas. Pat dry. 

A.M. 

• Wash treated areas with SkinMedica Facial Cleanser and completely remove Restorative Ointment. This may require several gentle washings. Your white vinegar and water mixture may be sprayed on the face to assist with the breakdown of the Restorative Ointment.  Be sure to use clean hands whenever touching your face. 
• Apply white vinegar and water mixture (1 tsp white vinegar + 1 cup of water) with a spray bottle to clean treated skin. Let dry. White vinegar and water are used to rebalance the pH of the skin, quicken healing time and prevent infection. Vinegar and water mixture may be kept in the refrigerator to help cool and soothe treated skin. 
• Blot dry your skin and apply Post Procedure Repair Complex  
• Apply a thin layer of Restorative Ointment to treated areas (you may mix Repair complex with restorative ointment and apply together at same time for ease of application). 
• You may re-apply Restorative Ointment 1-2 times throughout the day, between washings. However, only apply as necessary to keep skin comfortable. More is not better but use enough to keep skin comfortable.  Skin heals better when Restorative Ointment is not overused. If you have questions regarding your usage, please contact your provider. 

P.M. 

• Wash treated areas with SkinMedica Facial Cleanser following the steps used in the morning to completely remove the Restorative Ointment 
• Apply white vinegar and water mixture with the spray bottle to clean treated skin (Let dry) 
• Apply Post Procedure Repair Complex 
• Apply a thin layer of Restorative Ointment to treated areas 

Day 3 

What to expect: 

• Dryness, tightening and darkening of the skin, which may cause some degree of discomfort. 
• Light to moderate flaking of skin 
• Take medications and supplements as prescribed by your provider.  

A.M. 

• Wash treated skin with SkinMedica Facial Cleanser, following the steps to completely remove Restorative Ointment 
• Apply white vinegar and water mixture with the spray bottle to clean face (Let dry) 
• Apply Post Procedure Repair Complex  
• Apply a thin layer of Restorative Ointment to treated skin  
• You may re-apply Restorative Ointment 1-2 times throughout the day, between washings 

P.M. 

• Wash treated areas with SkinMedica Facial Cleanser following the steps used in the morning to completely remove the Restorative Ointment. 
• Apply white vinegar and water mixture with a cotton ball or spray to clean treated skin (Let dry) 
• Apply Post Procedure Repair Complex 
• Apply a thin layer of Restorative Ointment to treated areas 

Day 4: 

What to expect: 

• Dryness, tightening and darkening of the skin, which may cause some degree of discomfort 
• Light to moderate flaking of skin 
• Take medications and supplements as prescribed by your  

A.M. 

• Wash treated skin with Skin Medical Facial Cleaner, following the steps to completely remove Restorative Ointment. 
• Apply white vinegar and water mixture with the spray bottle to clean face (Let dry) 
• Apply Post Procedure Repair Complex 
• Apply a thin layer of Restorative Ointment to treated skin 
• You may re-apply Restorative Ointment 1-2 times throughout the day (between washings) 

P.M. 

• Wash treated skin with SkinMedica Facial Cleanser, following the steps used to remove Restorative Ointment completely. 
• Apply white vinegar and water mixture with the spray bottle to clean face (Let dry) 
• Apply Post Procedure Repair Complex 
• Apply a thin layer of Restorative Ointment to treated areas 

Day 5: 

What to expect: 

• Moderate to severe flaking and exfoliation of the skin. 
• Discomfort due to dryness and tightening of the skin as the skin prepares to exfoliate (Itching may be present) (may still apply restorative ointment to dry areas to help heal) 
• Take medications and supplements as prescribed. You may take oral Benadryl to help with itching and irritation of the skin as the skin exfoliates. 
• Avoid scratching, itching or picking your skin. This greatly increases risks of scarring, infection and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (darkening) of the skin. 

A.M. 

• Wash skin with SkinMedica Facial Cleanser 
• Apply white vinegar and water mixture 
• Apply Post Procedure Repair Complex 
• Stop using your Restorative Ointment, even though the skin may feel very uncomfortable. Continued use of the Restorative Ointment can slow healing time and increase redness of the skin. Instead, apply TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream. Use TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream liberally and frequently throughout the day to keep skin moisturized and comfortable. 
• If you still feel too dry in certain areas, such as the neck or chest (if treated), you may mix a ½ pea-sized amount of Restorative Ointment to your TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream. 
• During your twice daily washings, or while in the shower, you may use gentle pressure from your fingertips in a circular motion to help exfoliate the skin. 
• If this process is very uncomfortable stop and try again at your next washing or the following day 
• Do not use any other types of exfoliation on treated skin except fingertips, and only when skin is wet 
• Removing skin too soon, and with other devices than fingertips, can lead to premature peeling of the skin, causing possible post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) and scarring 
• Please consult with your provider if you have questions regarding when to start this process 
• Follow proper skin care in this order: Wash, Vinegar/Water Rinse, Post Procedure Repair Complex, Ceramide Cream, lastly apply sunscreen. 
• If an area has not peeled by day 5, use Restorative ointment on that area and use Ceramide Cream on the rest of the areas. 

P.M. 

• Wash skin with SkinMedica Facial Cleanser. You may use gentle pressure from your fingertips in a circular motion to help exfoliate the skin.
• If this process is very uncomfortable, stop and resume the following day. Do not use any other types of exfoliation on your treated skin except for your fingertips, and only when skin is wet. 
• Removing skin too soon and with other devices than fingertips can lead to premature peeling post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) and scarring. 
• Please consult with your provider if you have questions regarding when to start this process. 
• Apply TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream liberally to treated skin. If you feel too dry, you may mix a ½ pea-sized amount of Restorative Ointment to TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream if needed. 

Days 6-7: (until your follow-up appointment) What to expect: 

• Peeling, flaking, and or resolution of swelling. Redness and sensitivity may be present as new skin is revealed. 

A.M and P.M. 

• Wash your face with SkinMedica Facial Cleanser and follow with an application of white vinegar water mixture. 
• Apply Post Procedure Repair Complex 
• TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream may be used liberally and frequently. Restorative Ointment may still be worn at night. 
• Apply Essential Defense Mineral Shield in the mornings as well as every two hours for best protection. 
• May use mineral makeup at this time, if desired. If you wish to use makeup earlier than day 5, please consult your provider. 

Skin Care Starting 2-4 weeks post procedure and up to 3 months post procedure:  

• Continue use of Post Procedure Repair Complex (up to 4 weeks post) or TNS Recovery Complex as recommended by your provider. 
• Use Lytera for lightening and prevention of hyperpigmentation  
• Moisturizer and or serums recommended by your provider 
• Essential Defense Mineral Shield applied in the morning and then every two hours for best protection 

Notify your provider if any of the following occur: 

• Pain that is not controlled with pain medication 
• Uncontrolled itching of treated areas accompanied by increased redness 
• If pinpoint bleeding is not controlled after 24 hours 
• Open wounds or sores in the treated areas 
• Foul smelling or purulent drainage in the treatment area 
• Reddening and/or discharge from the eyes