PEARL LASER - PRE-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS 

• Please visit the Cutera Pearl website at  http://www.pearlskin.com
• Purchase the following at your drug store:
    a. mild non-soap cleanser such as Cetaphil
    b. Aquaphor.
• Make sure you have a prescription for Acyclovir if you have a history of fever blisters:
• Acyclovir 800 mg
     - 1 pill by mouth twice a day for 5 days - begin on the morning of treatment
       #10 with 2 refills
• Avoid sun exposure, self-tanners, spray tan, tanning beds or any other artificial pigment to your skin for at least two (2) weeks prior to your treatment.  In addition, discontinue use of these until at least two (2) weeks after your final Pearl treatment.
• Immediately on the way home from the office after your Pearl treatment, make sure that your face is completely protected from all sunlight.  (This is why we schedule most of the Pearl procedures in the late afternoon and evening.)  If the sun is shining, you should cover your face with a broad brimmed hat, sunglasses and a scarf or similar material.
• Pain pills and other medications such as antibiotics are generally not necessary.
• If you have ANY questions before your Pearl treatment, please call us at 704-663-5056.

PEARL LASER - POST-TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS

• Be sure to thoroughly wash your hands prior to touching your face.
• Apply Aquaphor to treated areas 3-4 times a day or more if needed to maintain a continuous layer on your skin for the first 3-4 days.
• Do not put ANY other creams, ointments or products of any kind on your face until you are told it is OK to do so.
• Do not pick, rub, scrub or irritate your skin in any way while it is healing.
• Wash your face four times a day with a mild non-soap cleanser such as Cetaphil.  Please dry your skin using an old clean tee shirt.  Do not use a towel or regular wash cloth, since tiny particles may become embedded in the skin.
• Apply a layer of Aquaphor ointment to the treated area immediately after washing.  If the skin gets dry or scabbed you need to wash and reapply the Aquaphor more often.
• Your skin may be red for the first 3-7 days or longer and then turn darker as the skin begins to peel.
• Edema (swelling) may also occur.  Sleeping on 2 pillows with your head elevated is helpful.
• The skin will usually start peeling on day 3 or 4.  Do not pick at it but allow skin to peel off on its' own.
• It is OK to shower but do not let the shampoo or hair products get on the face.
• It is normal for skin to feel "sunburned" and/or tight.
• Ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be used if needed.
• Do not expose your skin to the sun. Remember that ultraviolet (UVA) light passes through house and car windows.
• Make-up may be worn after the majority of skin has peeled - usually on day 4 or 5.
• You can resume use of your regular skin cleanser/moisturizers after peeling is complete.
• The use of sunscreen with a high SPF of 30 to 45 is very important after peeling to maintain the results and help prevent post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (darker areas).
• An increased sensitivity or irritation to anything that comes in contact with your skin such as detergents, fabric softeners or dryer sheets in pillowcases, sheets and clothes may occur.  If you experience itching, an over the counter antihistamine such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine) may be helpful.
• Please call my office at 704-663-5056 if you have increased pain, drainage, severe redness or fever, increased itching, the appearance of a cold sore, blister or a similar tingling sensation, or if at any time you feel that you are not healing normally.
• Return for a cosmetic re-evaluation in 2 weeks - or sooner as needed.

                      Full Circle Family Medicine
                           435 East Statesville Ave.
                       Mooresville, NC  28115-2598