UltraClear Laser Before and Aftercare Instructions

What You Will Need

• Prescriptions. An antiviral for all patients (see “3 Days Before” for when to start it). Some patients may also need pain medication or an oral sedative; your provider will give you specific instructions.
• Large hat or sun visor. Sun protection is an absolute must after laser; bring it the day of your treatment.
• Headband or hair ties to keep hair away from the treated areas.
• Gauze pads for gently cleansing the face.
• Sterile saline.
• Recovery products, either:
  • the ZO Ablative Healing Post-Procedure Kit, which comes with its own instructions and is given to you on the day of treatment, or
  • the recommended gentle cleanser, healing ointment, and moisturizing cream. See the over-the-counter shopping list at the end of this sheet, and purchase them before your treatment.
• Sunscreen, for after your skin has healed (usually less than 1 week after treatment): a mineral sunscreen, SPF 50 or higher, such as Obagi Physical Defense, ZO Sheer Fluid, or Alastin SilkShield.

2 Weeks Before

• Medications to avoid. Take only medications approved or prescribed by your doctors. Avoid medications containing aspirin for 2 weeks before and after your treatment; they may increase bleeding.

1 Week Before

• Hair removal. Avoid electrolysis, waxing, and hair removal creams in the area to be resurfaced, to avoid irritation.
• Skincare products. Stop all retinoids (Retin-A, tretinoin, retinol, and others), alpha-hydroxy acids (glycolic acid), beta-hydroxy acids (salicylic acid), benzoyl peroxide, and any other similar or exfoliating products that may be drying or irritating.

3 Days Before

• Antiviral, if you have a history of cold sores. Start your antiviral 3 days before your treatment, and take it as prescribed. If you have no history of cold sores, you can start it on the day of your treatment.

Day of Procedure

• Dress comfortably. Do not wear nice clothing. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes with a low-cut neck; a top that buttons or zips is best.
• Antiviral. If you have no history of cold sores, start your antiviral today, and take it as prescribed.
• Wash your face before treatment. Do not apply anything to your face after cleansing, including lotion, sunscreen, or makeup.
• Your ride. A responsible adult must take you home. You cannot leave alone in an Uber or taxi. An Uber or taxi is fine only if a responsible adult rides with you.

Day of Treatment: Day 0

• Going home. You will leave the office with a thick layer of ointment on your face. Leave the lasered skin alone, but add more healing or soothing ointment at night to any dry area if needed.
• Pinpoint bleeding may occur but should stop after the first 24 hours.
• Oozing is common and looks like yellowish drips on the skin. Blot these areas gently with a soft tissue and reapply the ointment as needed.
• Sleep on your back with your upper body elevated about 30–40° (2–3 pillows). Do not sleep on your side. Keeping your body upright minimizes swelling, and the treated areas should not press against your pillow. Continue this for one week. Use clean pillowcases, but save your nice ones!
• Discomfort. Burning, tightness, and soreness the first few days are normal. Follow your treatment instructions.
• Pain. You are welcome to take Tylenol or Advil in place of the prescribed medication. Do not take Tylenol with the prescribed pain medication, which often already contains it. Do not exceed 4,000 mg of Tylenol in 24 hours. Take medication with food to reduce the risk of nausea.

Days 1–7 After the Procedure

• Saline and gauze pads. Saturate gauze pads with saline and gently wipe the lasered skin before the cleansing step of your recovery products.
• ZO Ablative Healing Post-Procedure Kit. If you have this kit, follow the ZO Skin Health post-procedure program that comes after these instructions.
• Over-the-counter recovery products. If you are using these instead, follow the over-the-counter program for cleansing, ointment, and cream at the end of this sheet, after using saline and gauze to prepare the lasered skin.
• Showering. You may shower 48 hours after your treatment, not before. Lukewarm water is fine for your body and hair, but use only cool water on your treated face, and keep hot water, soap, and shampoo off your healing face. Apply your recovery ointment or cream as soon as you get out.
• Swelling of the face or eyes is common. It typically starts to go down on the 4th day after treatment but can take 2–3 weeks to resolve.
• Discoloration. Expect light bleeding and discoloration. Skin can go from pink to red to brown. Most major discoloration should be gone in about 2–3 weeks.
• Itching and burning. Itching of the treated areas is normal and can happen when the skin is too dry; apply more of your recovery ointment or cream. Itching can also be a sign of an allergic reaction or infection, so please keep us posted with good photographs emailed to Surgery@NaderiCenter.com. Burning, heat, redness, warmth, and a sunburned feeling are normal and expected for the first 2–3 days after your treatment.
• Cool compresses with a damp soft cloth for 10–20 minutes at a time can relieve temporary discomfort.
• Hat and sunglasses. Wear a clean, large-brimmed hat when outside.

After 1 Week of Recovery

• Additional recovery products. Other topical products your provider may prescribe include Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar or Plated® Skin Science. These products are important; they help speed up recovery and enhance your results.
• Sun protection. Strict sun avoidance for the first 3 months after treatment is crucial. You will burn and develop dark spots (hyperpigmentation) with direct sun exposure. If you must go outside, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and stay in the shade. Sun avoidance is your priority.
• Return to work. Lighter treatments have 5–7 days of “social downtime,” but patients can often work as long as they are comfortable with how they look. Deeper treatments may need about 5–7 days off.
• Exercise. Light physical activity may resume 1 week after the procedure. Start easy and build back up to your previous exercise level; swelling may briefly worsen with exercise.
• Heat. Avoid saunas, hot showers, and hot tubs for 3 weeks. They can further irritate the skin and delay healing.

If you are ever unsure, our team is always available. Take a few clear, well-lit photos and email them to Surgery@NaderiCenter.com. For anything more urgent, please call the office so we get your message quickly.

Do Not

• No makeup, skin treatments, or shaving until you are cleared.
• Do not pick at any crust or scab that forms on the face. Picking can cause permanent scarring.
• Do not soak in baths, jacuzzis, or hot tubs until all the skin has fully healed.
• Do not take aspirin or other blood thinners until your physician says it is safe.
• Do not expose your skin to the sun for 3 months. Sunscreen is not a substitute for sun avoidance!