Active FX – Pre 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.

Important points to remember:

  • Shower the morning of your procedure (No makeup or jewelry for the procedure)
  • You will need a ride home from your appointment
  • Wear an old button (down the front) shirt to your appointment
  • Bring a wide-brimmed hat to wear home after the treatment
  • If you wear contacts, you will need to remove them before the treatment and bring glasses
  • We recommend wearing glasses during the healing phase
  • Bring the medications we have prescribed for you to your appointment, and do not take medications unless advised to
  • Eat a solid meal before the procedure
  • Your skin will be very sensitive after the treatment, only touch your skin with clean, washed hand
  • Things that normally would not bother your skin may now cause sensitivity (pets, laundry soap). Treat your skin like baby skin
  • You must avoid the sun during the healing phase

Products needed prior to treatment:

  • Distilled white vinegar
  • Small spray bottle  
  • Over the counter allergy medicine for itching or swelling (Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin, and 1% Hydrocortisone Cream)                                
  • Tylenol (bring 1,000mg with you to appointment) 
  • SkinMedica Procedure 360 System 

Optional Supplements that will aid healing

  • Vitamin C supplement (3000mg/day)
  • SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex
  • Biotin (10,000 mcg/day)
  • MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) 1000mg per day

Preparing your skin:

Depending on your skin type and timing of your procedure you may receive additional skin preparation instructions from your provider. Prepping the skin will produce better, more predictable results, and aid in a non-complicated, post-procedure course.

Preparing your skin:

Home care:

  • Patients with darker skin types or with Melasma may need to prepare with Lytera and HQ gel or Groots cream prescription to minimize hyperpigmentation. 

Steps:

  • Facial cleanser
  • Post Procedure Repair Complex
  • TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream
  • Essential Defense Mineral Shield (morning only) ­­
    • Oral Vitamin C (Optional): take 3,000 to 4,000 mg of Vitamin C daily, one week prior to treatment, and continue up to 3 months post
  • Benefit Chemical peel (as recommended by provider) This peel contains 10% retinol, 1% salicylic acid, and 20% Vitamin C to brighten and increase the health and function of your skin cells. There is generally mild flaking from this peel
  • Your Deep Active FX will be scheduled 1-2 weeks after your benefit peel

Procedure:

  • Arrive at your scheduled appointment time (Bring 1,000mg Tylenol with you) 
  • A topical numbing cream will be applied to the treatment area 
  • Oral sedation medications will be administered as well as 1st of other required medications.
  • After 60 minutes you will be taken to the laser room where numbing eye drops will be used, and intra-ocular eye shields will be placed to protect your eyes during the laser procedure. 
  • Numbing injections may be used to increase comfort during the treatment 
  • The treatment will take anywhere from 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours depending on the area(s) being treated. 
  • The treated area will be very hot after the procedure and have a feeling comparable to a bad sunburn. 
  • We have a cooling fan we use during and after the treatment for your comfort 
  • Your provider will call you the following morning to check on your recovery 

Items to have at home prior to procedure:

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