General Aesthetics Pre/Post Care
General pre-treatment, post-treatment, and check-in guidance for aesthetic services at Nervana Medical that do not have procedure-specific instructions. These guidelines are designed to help you prepare for your appointment, understand important medical disclosures, and support safe healing and optimal results after treatment. Always follow the personalized recommendations provided by your injector, as individual needs and treatment plans may vary.
Pre-Treatment Considerations
Scheduling:
Certain services are recommended at different time intervals and you may need to avoid certain activities for a specified period of time; in general , we recommend scheduling with the following in mind (your injector will educate you on specific details pertinent to the service you are receiving.
- Schedule your injection at a time when minor swelling or bruising will not disrupt your social obligations. Each time you are treated, outcomes may vary.
- Cancel your appointment if you have any open sores in the treatment area. It is important that you alert us of any medical conditions you may have and/or any prescribed medications you are taking prior to your treatment.
- Avoid use of self tanner within 2 weeks (primarily for Morpheus8)
- Avoid exposure to sun/plans to be in the sun for the following week post appointment
- Avoid or minimize hard (strenuous) exercise and exposure to extensive sun, UV lamps, indoor tanning beds/booths, or extreme temperatures (such as a sauna) post treatment.
- Avoid recent skin therapies such as laser treatment, chemical peels, radiofrequency
- Most of our services (with the exception of neuromodulators i.e. botox) require at least 30 to 45 minutes to numb for most comfortable results. You are welcome to come into the clinic and pick up a take-home numbing jar anytime from the time you book your appointment up until an hour prior to your appointment; this should be applied 30-45 minutes BEFORE your appointment time. If you do not do this, please come at least 45 minutes prior to your scheduled service time to begin numbing.
Important Disclosures Pre Treatment:
Certain past medical history can help guide your injector to the safest / best customized treatment plan for you. Please let your provider know if you have any of the following:
- Any neuromuscular disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or myasthenia gravis? Relative contraindications to treatment include neuromuscular disorders that could amplify the effect of the toxin, such as myasthenia gravis, Eaton-Lambert syndrome, myopathies, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Caution should also be exercised in patients taking drugs that can interfere with neuromuscular transmission (eg, aminoglycosides, cholinesterase inhibitors, quinidine, magnesium sulfate, succinylcholine, and curare-type nondepolarizing blockers)
- History of Cold Sores
- History of Keloid Scarring
- Any allergies to Lidocaine, betadine or iodine, or hypersensitivity reactions
- Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant
- Have an active skin infection or inflammation in the treatment area
- Have a history of autoimmune diseases or bleeding disorders
- Any hypersensitivity reactions to surgical sutures
- Have a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator
- Have any hardware implanted; i.e. plates/screws/etc.
Post-Treatment Instructions
To ensure a smooth recovery and optimal results, these general aftercare instructions can be used unless instructed otherwise from your provider:
- Physical Activity: Avoid or minimize hard (strenuous) exercise for 24 hrs post procedure unless your injector tells you otherwise.
- UV Exposure: Avoid exposure to extensive sun, UV lamps, indoor tanning beds/booths, or extreme temperatures (such as a sauna) post treatment. If you do not have to completely limit direct sun exposure then we recommend the following: Shield the treated area from direct sunlight, as it can cause pigmentation changes and hinder the healing process. If you need to go outside, wear a wide-brimmed hat, protective clothing, and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF (30 or above) to safeguard your skin.
- Sweating: Avoid activities that can cause you to sweat as sweat can increase your risk for infection. Typically you can follow the general rule of thumb of do not get your heart rate above 130/avoid temperature extremes.
- Other Services: Some of our services can be contradictory to each other, so please ensure you understand the timeframe for when certain additional procedures can be done if you have any additional appointments planned. Your injector will provide specific details if necessary.
- Pain and Discomfort: It is normal to experience some pain or discomfort after an aesthetic procedure. As a general rule of thumb, try to avoid NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and aspirin and use things like Tylenol and SinEcch/arnica. This is recommended for a few reasons such as increased bleeding or bruising or even for the reason of limiting an inflammatory response that could affect the results of your treatment. Most of our services are “ice pack” approved with the exception of certain ones (i.e. morpheus). Your injector will give you more detailed instructions depending on what service you have done.It is generally ok to massage what was treated; unless your injector advises you otherwise as some treatment areas should not be massaged post treatment.
- Be Patient: Healing takes time, and the final results of aesthetic procedures may not be immediately apparent. It is essential to have realistic expectations and allow your body sufficient time to recover and reveal the full benefits of the procedure.Swelling, bruising, tenderness and lumps are to be expected. These are typical post injection side effects. Allow TWO weeks for all to settle before scheduling any corrections.
- Concerning symptoms: If you experience severe pain, unusual swelling, persistent bleeding, signs of infection (such as redness, warmth, or pus), or have any concerns during your recovery, please ensure you contact us for further evaluation.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact our office immediately:
- Dusky or white discoloration of injected areas, mottling or unusual bruising, severe or increasing pain, redness, increasing warmth or coolness to touch, severe swelling, itching, blisters, difficulty swallowing or smiling, fever, or chills.
- If you notice onset of any of these symptoms, call our office immediately to speak with a provider.
- Swelling, bruising, tenderness and lumps are common. These are typical post injection side effects. Allow TWO weeks for all to settle before scheduling any corrections. These all usually settle nicely by then.
Recommendations for best results: To be included in pre+post+ intake forms
Avoid blood thinning products that can cause you to bleed/bruise easily:
- To lessen the likelihood of bleeding or bruising, discontinue use of blood thinning products for at least 4 days (if prescribed an anticoagulant such as Xarelto, Coumadin, etc. – you should not stop these unless approved by your prescribing provider).
- Over the counter: aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil), naproxen, Aleve, fish oil, St. John’s Wort, flax, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, garlic, Ginkgo Biloba, ginseng, etc. Alcohol should be avoided 24 hours pre- or post-injectable treatment, as all of these may increase your chance of bleeding/bruising more.
- We recommend SinEcch, a homeopathic remedy designed to improve swelling and bruising that may be associated with your recovery. Ask your provider for more details if you think you may be interested!
Trauma induced cold sores (HSV1/Herpes Simplex):
Please notify your provider if you have any history/prone to cold sores and are scheduled for lip injections, as we will consider pre-medicating with an antiviral prescription prior to injections. If so, please provide the pharmacy you would like us to send this into; Cancel your appointment if you have any open sores in the treatment area.
Any injection introduces the risk for infection. For this reason, you should be aware that though rare, the following can increase your risks:
- Have had any infection, cold, virus, or flu in the past 30 days.
- Have had any dental procedures in the past 30 days or are anticipating dental procedures or cleanings in the next 30 days (major dental work; not basic cleanings).
- Have had any immunizations in the past 30 days or if you’re anticipating immunizations.
- Take any immunosuppressive/injectable medications (ex: Biologics such as Humira, Skyrizi, Stelara, Enbrel, Taltz,Cosentyx, Tremfya).
Zinc:
Recently, there has been some evidence that people who received COVID/ vaccination are experiencing a shorter duration of treatment effects with neuromodulators (i.e. botox). There is also some evidence that zinc taken 5 days prior to neuromodulators has been shown to improve efficacy. If you are interested in our recommendations please ask for details.
Other Healthy Skin Treatment Plan Recommendations:
- Clean Pillowcases: We recommend keeping your pillow cases clean to decrease your risk of post procedure infection.
- Topical Moisturizer: We recommend using a non-comedogenic, oil-free moisturizer to prevent dryness and irritation caused by the use of topical acne medications.
- Gentle Cleanser: We recommend a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser to be used twice daily to help remove excess oil and debris from the skin
- Avoid Picking or Squeezing Lesions: It is very important to avoid picking or squeezing of injection sites or lesions, which can worsen inflammation and lead to scarring and increase your risks for infection.
Remember, these are general aftercare instructions. Always consult with your injector for specific guidelines tailored to your unique situation and procedure. By following these instructions, you can enhance your recovery process and achieve the best possible results from your aesthetic procedure.
Our Personalized, Multi-Modality Approach to Skin Health
At Nervana Medical, we will work closely with you to establish your overall aesthetic goals because we truly believe each individual should be cared for in a customized, multi-modality approach for best success.
Even though our skin regenerates every 28 days, everyday life can take a toll on skin health. There are 300 million reasons why maintaining proper balance and hydration of the skin is important to overall well-being – some lie beneath its surface.
Skin Health, Exposed
It’s human nature to be active and spend time with others, enjoying the outdoors. Without the right safeguards, you could be putting yourself in harm’s way.
Think of the skin as a shell that serves to protect your body from the external elements. Including the potential damage from too much sun, it also shields against disease and infection that can be transmitted by air or touch. Whatever is going on outside, such as hot or cold temperatures, the skin helps keep it from the body’s insides. That’s why the skin you’re in needs to stay healthy.
Personal Factors Change the Way Skin Feels and Looks
It isn’t always exposure to the outside that affects the skin. Modifications to one’s diet, shifting levels of hormones, stressful circumstances and other health conditions can cause changes to the epidermis (skin). While searching for over-the-counter medications or home remedies can be the common, immediate response, compounded dermatology medications often provide a more precise, long-term solution. Your Skin Is Uniquely You – Dermatology Medications Can Be Too.
Reduce the Downtime of Anti-Aging Treatments
The popularity of medical practices and aesthetic therapies that promote healthier skin and reduce the signs of aging is no surprise. To some, after they experience these types of procedures or the use of certain chemicals, the skin goes through a shedding process or rejuvenation that can cause discomfort.
In addition to our skin lines, customized compounded pharmaceutical grade topical medications can treat skin/hair/nail conditions such as:
Anti Aging with Bio-Cosmeceuticals – which contain antioxidant formulations, retinoids, sunscreens and moisturizers, Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema, Scars, Excessive Sweating, Stretch Marks, Rosacea, Melasma, athletes foot and even hair restoration.
Related Services at Nervana Medical:
- Neuromodulators (i.e. botox)
- Dermal Filler
- PDO Threads
- Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
- Sculptra
- Hyper Dilute Radiesse
- Kybella/Deoxycholic Acid (lipolytics)
- Morpheus 8/ Votiva
- Microneedling
- Skinceuticals + Nutraceuticals
- Pharmaceutical customized compounded solutions