Pellet Insertion
- Exercise & sweating
- 4 days (female) / 7 days (male), site-specific
- Heat, sun & water
- No baths, hot tubs or pools 4 days (female) / 7 days (male). Showering fine
- Facials & actives
- —
- Massaging the area
- —
- Alcohol
- —
- Pain relief
- —
Post-Treatment Care · Summerlin, Las Vegas
Aftercare Instructions
Everything you need for the days after your treatment, in the same order as the card you took home. Find your procedure below, and always follow the specific instructions your provider gave you in office.
Better Balance. Better You.
Quick Reference
When Can I…?
The six questions we get asked most, answered across every treatment at once. Scroll down for the full instructions for yours.
| Activity | Pellet Insertion | Sculptra | Dermal Filler | Neurotoxin | PRF | Microneedling | Chemical Peel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise & sweating | 4 days (female) / 7 days (male), site-specific | 24 hours | 24–48 hours | 24 hours | 24–48 hours | 24–48 hours | Day of, until peeling stops |
| Heat, sun & water | No baths, hot tubs or pools 4 days (female) / 7 days (male). Showering fine | Avoid sun and UV until swelling and redness subside | Avoid intense heat and limit sun | No saunas, hot tubs, tanning beds or prolonged sun 24 hours | No hot baths, saunas or steam rooms 3 days | No saunas, steam rooms or hot baths 24–48 hours. Avoid direct sun a few days | Avoid direct sun 1 week. SPF 30+ |
| Facials, actives & other skin treatments | — | No facial or massage 2 weeks | No facials 2 weeks. No laser over the product 30 days | No chemical facials 1 week. No laser over the product 30 days | No retinol/tretinoin or systemic steroids 1 week | No retinol, vitamin C, exfoliants or acids 5–7 days | Hold all actives, facials, injectables and laser until peeling is done |
| Massaging the treated area | — | YES — 5 minutes, 5 times a day, for 5 days | Only if directed by your injector | NO — do not touch, rub or massage for 24 hours | NO — and no face-down massages | Do not pick, scratch or peel flaking skin | Do not pick or pull at peeling skin |
| Alcohol | — | Avoid 24 hours | Avoid 24–48 hours | Avoid 24 hours before, 48 hours after | Avoid 1 week | — | — |
| Pain relief | — | — | Acetaminophen. Avoid aspirin | Acetaminophen. Avoid aspirin | Tylenol only. No NSAIDs 1 week | Tylenol only. NSAIDs interfere with healing | — |
When can I? Aftercare comparison by treatment.
Sculptra
- Exercise & sweating
- 24 hours
- Heat, sun & water
- Avoid sun and UV until swelling and redness subside
- Facials & actives
- No facial or massage 2 weeks
- Massaging the area
- YES — 5 minutes, 5 times a day, for 5 days
- Alcohol
- Avoid 24 hours
- Pain relief
- —
Dermal Filler
- Exercise & sweating
- 24–48 hours
- Heat, sun & water
- Avoid intense heat and limit sun
- Facials & actives
- No facials 2 weeks. No laser over the product 30 days
- Massaging the area
- Only if directed by your injector
- Alcohol
- Avoid 24–48 hours
- Pain relief
- Acetaminophen. Avoid aspirin
Neurotoxin
- Exercise & sweating
- 24 hours
- Heat, sun & water
- No saunas, hot tubs, tanning beds or prolonged sun 24 hours
- Facials & actives
- No chemical facials 1 week. No laser over the product 30 days
- Massaging the area
- NO — do not touch, rub or massage for 24 hours
- Alcohol
- Avoid 24 hours before, 48 hours after
- Pain relief
- Acetaminophen. Avoid aspirin
PRF
- Exercise & sweating
- 24–48 hours
- Heat, sun & water
- No hot baths, saunas or steam rooms 3 days
- Facials & actives
- No retinol/tretinoin or systemic steroids 1 week
- Massaging the area
- NO — and no face-down massages
- Alcohol
- Avoid 1 week
- Pain relief
- Tylenol only. No NSAIDs 1 week
Microneedling
- Exercise & sweating
- 24–48 hours
- Heat, sun & water
- No saunas, steam rooms or hot baths 24–48 hours. Avoid direct sun a few days
- Facials & actives
- No retinol, vitamin C, exfoliants or acids 5–7 days
- Massaging the area
- Do not pick, scratch or peel flaking skin
- Alcohol
- —
- Pain relief
- Tylenol only. NSAIDs interfere with healing
Chemical Peel
- Exercise & sweating
- Day of, until peeling stops
- Heat, sun & water
- Avoid direct sun 1 week. SPF 30+
- Facials & actives
- Hold all actives, facials, injectables and laser until peeling is done
- Massaging the area
- Do not pick or pull at peeling skin
- Alcohol
- —
- Pain relief
- —
— Not specified for this treatment. Follow the instructions your provider gave you in office.
This table is a quick reference. Always follow the specific instructions your provider gave you.
Full Instructions
Find Your Treatment
Each section below matches the aftercare card you were handed at checkout, phase by phase.
01
Pellet Insertion
Restrictions run 4 days for female patients and 7 days for male patients.
Swipe to see the full timeline →
Immediately After Treatment
- You may remove the gauze and clear bandage 24 hours after your procedure.
First Week
- Do NOT remove the Steri-Strip. Keep it in place for 4 days (female) or 7 days (male). It will loosen and fall off on its own.
- Avoid bath tubs, hot tubs, and swimming pools for 4 days (female) or 7 days (male). Showering is fine.
- Female (first 4 days): avoid heavy lifting or major exercise involving the insertion area — running, elliptical, squats, and lunges.
- Male (first 7 days): avoid activities that strain the insertion site — rowing, golf, lower-back exercises, and abdominal twisting. Using your legs and upper body is fine, as long as it doesn't strain the insertion site.
Call your provider if
- Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- Redness that worsens after the first 2–3 days, or becomes warm to the touch
- Pus or drainage from the insertion site
- Bleeding that is not relieved with firm pressure
- The incision opens, or a pellet begins to come through the skin
- Persistent itching or redness around the insertion site
02
Sculptra
Massage is part of the treatment here, not something to avoid.
Immediately After Treatment
- Within the first few hours after your treatment, apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the treated area to help reduce swelling.
- You may apply makeup a few hours after your Sculptra treatment if no complications are present.
- Avoid strenuous workouts and alcohol for 24 hours if possible.
First Few Days
- The 5-5-5 rule: massage the treated area for 5 minutes, 5 times per day, for 5 days following your treatment, according to your provider's instructions.
- Treated areas may be red, swollen, and bruised for the first 2–7 days.
- If bruising occurs, continue your Arnica supplements.
- A few days after treatment, you may appear as you did before treatment. This is normal and temporary, as Sculptra works to gradually replace lost collagen.
Ongoing Care
- Avoid sun and UV/sunlamp exposure until swelling and redness have subsided.
- Do NOT get a facial or massage for 2 weeks after your Sculptra procedure.
- Visible results typically appear within the first few treatment sessions.
03
Dermal Filler Injections
Swelling on the day of treatment is expected and can persist 7 to 14 days.
Immediately After Treatment
- The day of, you will experience swelling to the injected area. This may persist for 7–14 days.
- You may notice temporary redness, swelling, and bruising at the injection site, which usually subsides within 2–3 days.
- To help reduce swelling and bruising, apply cool compresses for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off during the first 4–6 hours.
- Refrain from vigorous exercise and alcohol consumption for the first 24–48 hours.
- Take acetaminophen for pain and avoid aspirin products.
- Sleep on your back with your head elevated to help reduce swelling.
Caring for the Treated Area
- Massage the treated area only if directed by your injector. Otherwise, avoid massaging or manipulating the area unless advised by your provider.
- Stay away from intense heat sources (such as the sun, steam baths, and tanning beds) and limit sun exposure.
- Steer clear of aspirin, NSAIDs, and other blood-thinning medications for the first week to minimize the risk of bruising.
First 2–4 Weeks
- Avoid any facial treatments for at least 2 weeks post-injection.
- Avoid any laser treatment directly over the injected product for up to 30 days.
- If you have a history of cold sores, consult your provider about the possibility of taking antiviral medication to prevent outbreaks.
- Avoid dental procedures for 30 days following treatment.
- Schedule a follow-up with your injector within 14 days if you are concerned about any unevenness or bumps, or to make sure everything is healing properly.
When to Take Action
- If you are concerned about bruising, purchase Arnica or Alastin Inhance Post-Injection Serum to help bruising heal faster.
- If you experience ongoing swelling, increased pain, fever, or any other concerning symptoms, contact your provider immediately.
04
Neurotoxin Injections
Botox, Dysport, Xeomin and Letybo all follow the same aftercare.
About Your Treatment
- There are 4 types of neurotoxins: Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Letybo. All will have similar clinical end points.
Immediately After Treatment
- Refrain from touching, rubbing, or massaging the treated area for at least 24 hours to prevent the neurotoxin from spreading to unintended areas.
- Try to remain upright for at least 4 hours after treatment. Avoid lying down or bending over excessively.
- Avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, or vigorous exercise for 24 hours post-treatment.
- Steer clear of saunas, hot tubs, tanning beds, and prolonged sun exposure for at least 24 hours.
- Avoid consuming alcohol and blood thinners for 24 hours before and after treatment to minimize the risk of bruising.
- Do not drink any alcohol for 48 hours post-treatment.
- Take acetaminophen for pain and avoid aspirin products.
Ongoing Care
- Avoid any facial treatments involving chemicals for at least 1 week.
- Avoid any laser treatment directly over the injected product for up to 30 days.
- Your neurotoxin will take peak effect around 7–10 days.
- Always follow additional instructions from your provider, as they may have specific recommendations based on your treatment.
- If you have any concerns or experience unusual symptoms, it is important to contact your provider promptly.
05
PRF Injections
No ice for the first 72 hours, and Tylenol only.
Immediately After Treatment
- Keep your head elevated above your heart for 4 hours.
First Few Days
- Avoid exercise for 24–48 hours.
- Do not apply ice for 72 hours.
- Avoid hot baths, saunas, and steam rooms for 3 days.
Ongoing Care
- Do not massage the treated area.
- No massages where your face is pressed into a table.
- Avoid for at least 1 week: Retin-A / tretinoin / retinol; NSAIDs (Tylenol is allowed); certain supplements (ginkgo, garlic, vitamin E, vitamin A, flax oil, curcumin); systemic steroids; alcohol and cigarettes.
06
Microneedling
Redness like a mild sunburn is normal and usually settles in 24 to 48 hours.
Immediately After Treatment
- Do not wash your face or apply anything for the first 4–6 hours (leave on any serum your provider applied).
- Take Tylenol (acetaminophen) for discomfort — avoid ibuprofen/NSAIDs, which interfere with healing.
- Drink plenty of water and rest.
First Few Days
- Skin will be red, warm, and flushed like a mild sunburn; it usually settles within 24–48 hours. Tightness, dryness, and light flaking are normal for the first few days.
- Wash only with cool/tepid water and a gentle cleanser, then pat dry. No scrubbing, powered brushes, or washcloths.
- Keep skin hydrated with a gentle moisturizer or hyaluronic acid serum as needed.
- No makeup for at least 24 hours (24–72 hours is best).
- No exercise, sweating, saunas, steam rooms, or hot baths for 24–48 hours.
- Don't pick, scratch, or peel flaking skin.
Ongoing Care
- Use a mineral SPF 30+ once healed and reapply outdoors; avoid direct sun for a few days.
- Avoid active ingredients (retinol, vitamin C, exfoliants/acids) for about 5–7 days.
- Contact your provider for signs of infection (pus, fever, severe or spreading redness, swelling, or pain lasting more than 5 days).
07
Chemical Peel
How much you peel depends on which peel you had.
Swipe to see the full timeline →
Immediately After Treatment
- Right after your peel, skin may feel tight and look redder than usual.
- Skin may feel tacky and take on a yellow or orange tinge from the retinol — this is temporary and fades within a few hours.
- Wait until bedtime to wash your face.
- Avoid strenuous exercise on the day of your peel and until peeling has stopped.
As You Peel
- Skin often stays tight until it begins to peel.
- How much you peel depends on the peel you had: Illuminize may show little to no visible peeling; Vitalize and Rejuvenize usually begin peeling 48–72 hours after and can peel for 2–5 days.
- Don't pick or pull at peeling skin — let it shed on its own. Peeling it early can leave skin dry, cracked, and raw, and may cause dark spots (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation).
Ongoing Care
- Avoid direct sun for at least 1 week — wear SPF 30 or higher.
- Until peeling is completely done, hold off on: tretinoin, retinoids, AHA products, bleaching creams, facials, injections and fillers, facial hair removal, microdermabrasion, and laser treatments (including laser hair removal).
- Individual results vary.
08
Retinol & Tretinoin
Application and tips. Your provider sets your ramp-up schedule.
Swipe to see the full diagram →
Building Your Routine
- Your provider will write your exact ramp-up schedule on your aftercare card. Follow it as written.
- The pattern is the same for everyone: apply a pea-size amount to dry skin every few nights at first, then switch to applying more frequently for the next stretch, working your way up to using it every night.
How to Apply
- Spread the pea-size amount across your fingertips, dab on the outer edge of your face (forehead, cheekbones, and chin), and blend in.
- Focus the majority of the product on the less sensitive areas, then use a lighter application around the eyes, nose, and mouth where skin is more prone to flaking or irritation. Avoid application near the eyes.
- Let the product absorb for 5–10 minutes, then apply moisturizer.
- Only apply to dry skin. If skin is wet or damp it can increase irritation. Wait a few minutes after cleansing and toning to apply your retinol.
- Apply your eye cream before your retinol to avoid irritation around the eye area.
Tips for Best Results
- Always use an SPF during the day. Retinol causes sun sensitivity, which will lead to more irritation and redness.
- Due to increased sun sensitivity, only use your retinol at night.
- Less is more — only use a pea-size amount.
- Moisturizer can be used during the day as much as needed to combat dryness or irritation.
- Do not use as a spot treatment.
09
Teeth Whitening
The first two hours matter most.
First 2 Hours
- Drink water for the first 2 hours after treatment. It helps minimize sensitivity.
- Avoid all other food and drink for the first 2 hours.
- Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco for at least 4 hours.
First 24 Hours
- Avoid dark colored food and drinks for at least 24 hours.
- Avoid: coffee, tea, soda, dark juices, red wine, tomato sauce, red meat, dark leafy vegetables, and anything else with heavy color.
- Fine after the first 2 hours: water, white wine, white meat (chicken, pork, turkey), noodles, white sauce, white cheese, potatoes, and other light colored foods.
Next 48 Hours
- Brush gently with a plain, non-whitening toothpaste. Skip whitening toothpaste and baking soda for now, and don't brush your gums.
- Mild sensitivity to hot or cold is common and usually settles within 1–2 days. An over-the-counter pain reliever can help if it lingers.
What's Normal
Your teeth may look extra bright immediately after treatment. That's partly from mild, temporary dehydration, and the color typically settles to a natural white tone within a few days as your teeth rehydrate. Long-term results vary by patient and depend on your starting shade and habits like smoking or drinking dark beverages such as red wine, coffee, or tea.
Good to Know
- Touch-up treatments may be needed over time to maintain your color.
- Existing fillings, crowns, and bonding will not whiten. If you have visible restorative work, ask your provider whether it should be updated to match your new shade.
Any Treatment
When to Call Us
Treatment-specific warning signs are listed in each section above. These apply after any procedure.
Call your provider if you notice
- A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- Redness that worsens or spreads after the first 2–3 days, or skin that becomes warm to the touch
- Pus or drainage from a treated or injected area
- Swelling that keeps increasing, or pain that gets worse instead of settling
- Pain that lasts more than 5 days after microneedling
- Bleeding that is not relieved with firm pressure
- Any unusual symptom you weren't told to expect
If you think you have a medical emergency, call 911.