After your Morpheus8 treatment, you should do the following things:

Face Cleaning: Clean your face with a soothing cleanser or warm water, then lightly pat dry until treated skin heals. When touching the area to be treated, always make sure your hands are clean.

Hydrate: Use a mild moisturizer or healing ointment on the area to be treated until the skin is healed.

Makeup: Makeup can be applied two days after treatment. (Clean the makeup brush before use.)

Pillowcases: After your Morpheus8 treatment, your face is essentially covered in teeny-tiny wounds. To prevent any sort of bacteria from reaching those areas, please make sure to sleep with a clean pillowcase post-treatment.

Protect: Twenty-four hours after your Morpheus8 treatment, you should use a mineral-based SPF-30 broad-spectrum UVA / UVB sunscreen. Use physical sunscreen (zinc/titanium dioxide) daily.

Reapply often: In addition to decreasing the risk of skin cancer in the future, sunscreen can also reduce wrinkles and delay the aging process.

What to Avoid:

To guarantee the fastest, most comfortable healing from your Morpheus8 treatment, be sure to observe the following:

• Avoid anything potentially irritating, such as alpha-hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, benzoyl peroxide, vitamin C (low pH prescription), and retinol (vitamin A), or skincare products for at least 48-hours after treatment.
• Avoid direct and deliberate sunlight exposure for at least 24-hours.
• Do not swim in salt or chlorinated water for at least 24-hours after treatment.
• No exercise or vigorous activity in the first 24-hours after treatment. (Sweating and the gym environment are dangerous; bacteria can spread and cause side effects.)
• No makeup for 48-hours post treatment

What to expect:

Morpheus 8 is a non-invasive treatment, so there is not extended downtime or recovery time. Most people can resume work and normal activities the day after treatment although you may notice redness or irritation for up to a week.

Swelling can occur, but it should resolve quickly. Your provider can recommend several ways to feel comfortable during recovery from Morpheus 8, such as moisturizing and broad-spectrum sunscreens.

As the skin heals over the next 3-4 weeks, you should start to see your results manifest. The best results are usually obtained after 3-4 treatments, at intervals between each treatment once a week. You provider will tell you the number of treatments recommended to achieve your beauty goals, however on average most people need three sessions for maximum effect.

When you’ll see Morpheus8 results

It is recommended to have three sessions of Morpheus8 at least 4-6 weeks apart to see the full effect. (Your Morpheus8 results will continue to progress for up to 3 months after treatment.)

The post Morpheus8 Aftercare Instructions appeared first on About Face Aesthetics.

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A post-injection guide

We are so excited for you!

Congratulations on your decision to move forward with a lip treatment! Many people LOVE the enhancement they get with hyaluronic acid filler injections, and we know you will too.

As with all injections, it is important to know how to care for your lips afterwards and how to handle possible side-effects. Please read on to learn what you can do to alleviate discomfort and get ready to show off your newly enhanced lips.

WHAT TO EXPECT?

People who receive lip injections may experience irritation or complications, but the majority of side effects that can occur are tolerable, manageable, and pass quickly. It is important to remember that these treatments are NOT permanent, nor are any side-effects.

The most common side-effects people experience after an injection are:

• Bruising
• Redness
• Swelling
• Pain
• Tenderness

Even with the most experienced injector, the lips are such a delicate area that it is very likely to experience some bruising and swelling. These side effects should go away within a few days, but in the meantime there are steps you can take to minimize reactions.

HOW TO GET YOUR BEST RESULTS

If you have any of the more common symptoms mentioned previously, here are some steps you can take to minimize reactions and get comfortable.

• If you know that you are prone to bruising, taking Arnica supplements a few days before treatment can help prevent bruising from occurring.
• Apply cool compresses to injection site gently, without a lot of pressure (bags of ice, or frozen vegetables work great!)
• Reduce facial expressions / lip pursing for up to 48-hours
• Avoid sun exposure as long as bruising is present
• Avoid massaging the treated area
• Keep head elevated while sleeping
• Avoid vigorous exercise for 24-hours after treatment
• Stay hydrated!
• Take OTC anti-inflammatories (we?re partial to Aleve) after injections if discomfort is bothersome

WHAT TO AVOID

Before and immediately following your lip treatment, there are actions you should avoid as they may cause bruising, swelling, etc. These include:

• Rubbing and touching the treatment area
• Consuming alcohol prior to your procedure
• Avoiding any medications or supplements that have blood-thinning side-effects, such as Aspirin, Warfarin, anti-inflammatory drugs, fish oil, vitamin E supplements, St Johns wort, garlic tablets, gingko biloba, and ginseng. (As soon as the injections are over you can go back to your usual routine!)

*If you experience side effects that are not at least 50% improved 3-days after your treatment, please contact us!

GET READY FOR THE RESULTS

While you may have some post-treatment discomfort, these symptoms should be temporary. Side effects should go away so that you can show off your enhanced lips in no time!

Again, congratulations on your decision to receive a lip treatment, and we look forward to seeing your final results!

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Before Treatment

1. Please Avoid Products and Medications That Make Your Skin Photosensitive. To prevent burns from occurring, please avoid antibiotics, Retinols, and sun exposure for at least 2-weeks prior to treatment. (Some rashes or pre-existing conditions can also prevent a treatment session; however, we can advise you better when we see the area in-person.) 

2. Have you ever had a cold sore? Please let us know so that we can get you a preventative medication to prevent a break-out. (Sometimes the stress of the treatment can cause an occurrence on areas that have been previously infected with the virus.)

1. Who Should Not Get Fraxel Treatments? Fraxel treatments cannot be performed on patients who are currently undergoing or have had Accutane treatment within the past six months, are currently pregnant or breastfeeding, using antibiotics or any kind of retinol, have a predisposition to keloid formation or excessive scarring, have suspicious lesions, or have recently had a lot of sun exposure.

The Rest of the Day After Treatment:

1. Your face will feel very warm. Soothe your skin by placing ice-packs (or bags of frozen vegetables) on the treated area for 20-minute increments throughout the rest of the day.
2. To prevent unnecessary swelling, keep your head elevated when lying down by using an additional pillow or two.
3. When looking at your skin up-close, you may notice a grid texture to your skin. This is completely normal, each of those microscopic dots represents an area of skin that was treated today. (The criss-cross pattern marks the actual path of the laser beam as it treated your skin.)
4. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. (However, diuretics such as alcohol or caffeine should be avoided.)
5. If your skin feels tight or itchy, apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer* liberally, as many times as needed. (Leave your moisturizer and sunscreen in the refrigerator! It makes applications feel especially soothing.)
6. Your skin needs to be shielded from the sun. Sunscreen (at least SPF-30) is a must.

After Treatment: Days 2 to 7

1. Wash your face with warm water. (Hot water will not do any damage to your skin, but warm water will feel much nicer against the skin.)
2. Be gentle with your skin! Please avoid harsh skin care products such as Retinols, exfoliating products, mechanical cleansing brushes, Benzoyl Peroxide, Glycolic or Salicylic Acid products. (If you have questions about a product, please feel free to ask us! 215-923-5001)
3. Make sure to apply ample sunscreen after washing face in the AM. (Even if you are not going to be outdoors, you can still be exposed to incremental sunlight from windows, or being in the car, etc. Protect the skin you are trying to perfect!)
4. It is normal for your skin to feel tight, dry, or itchy. Continue to apply noncomedogenic moisturizer as often as needed. (You may be applying moisturizer at least 3-times a day.)
5. Although cold compresses will no longer benefit your healing process, the coolness against your skin will still feel good. For comfort’s sake, you are welcome to apply cold-compresses to your skin for as long as you like.
6. If you are experiencing uncomfortable swelling, any over-the-counter anti-inflammatory (such as Aleve or Motrin) can be beneficial in reducing puffiness. (The most common areas of swelling are under the eyes and around the mouth. Do not worry, if this happens to you, it will go away!)
7. You may notice tiny white bumps all over the skin. These are pockets of solidified oil, and will wash/slough away within a day or two if left alone. (Do not try and pick these! Your skin is very sensitive right now, and even the gentlest of attempted extractions can greatly complicate a situation that would naturally resolve itself.)
8. You may experience peeling. If this occurs, do NOT pick or peel it off. The skin will slough off naturally as the healing progresses, and in the meantime any forced peeling can result in scarring or permanent discoloration.
9. Gentle shaving or tweezing is fine, however please do not wax or use a depilatory cream on treated areas.

After Treatment: Two Weeks

1. You should be able to go back to your original skin care regimen a week after treatment. However, your skin will speak to you, and if your regular products cause irritation after a weeks’ time, you should abstain from using for another day or two.
2. If Acne is a concern, we recommend an Isolaz treatment at the 2-week mark to ensure that your skin is thoroughly cleansed.

* Some moisturizers, such as Vaseline or Aquaphor, are occlusive and too heavy for your skin. To prevent unnecessary clogged pores, our patients are free to run their moisturizer of choice by us.

Please keep in mind that healing time varies from person to person, be patient with your healing process.

Although we would love to help everyone,

if you are not a patient of ours, we cannot safely advise you on anything regarding your Fraxel treatment.

If you have questions, please refer to your treatment provider.

The post What to Expect, Do, And Not Do After Your Fraxel Treatment appeared first on About Face Aesthetics.

As a provider of one of the more unique boutique skincare experiences in Philadelphia — offering anything from lip fillers to hand injections to fat melting injections — About Face Skin Care has a combined 25 years of injecting experience in our office, and we’ve decided to share it with you! After repeating the following list countless times throughout the day, we finally had the epiphany to share this information with everyone on the internet. (Feel free to bookmark this article, this list is a work in progress and changes as we learn more tips and tricks!)

To begin with, DO NOT be intimidated by the length of this list. We tried to be as inclusive and thorough as possible to prepare you for everything your procedure might throw your way. Here are the things you should do and avoid before botox, fillers, and any other injections you might decide to get. 

Before Your Injection Treatment

The biggest concern before your injection should be bruising. Bruising has been shown to affect anywhere from 20% to 68% of patients and is most common for patients getting dermal fillers. The biggest way to prevent bruising and other effects is to know what to do and what to avoid before botox treatments, dermal fillers, or any other injections. Following these tips will maximize your enjoyment post-op and calm your nerves before your treatment.

Don’t Do This…

• Do Not: Consume blood thinners for five days before your treatment. The most likely products patients would take include Aspirin, St. John’s wort, Fish Oil, Vitamin E, and alcoholic beverages. (These are all anti-coagulators and will increase the likelihood of bruising and bleeding at the injection site.)
• Do Not: Schedule your treatment within 3-weeks of any big event. Anytime your skin breaks, there is a chance of bruising or swelling. Make sure to give your body plenty of healing time before a big event in case this occurs.
• Do Not: Move forward with lip injections if you’ve had recent dental work. Please wait at least two weeks between lip injections and dental work to ensure that all wounds have had time to heal and there is no risk of spreading bacteria. (The human mouth is so dirty!)
• Do Not: Undergo any cosmetic injections if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. 
• Do Not: Consume alcohol 48 hours before your appointment. Avoiding alcoholic beverages prevents bruises by keeping your blood from thinning.
• Do Not: Come to the appointment with any facial products applied. Some of the things you want to avoid before botox or other injections are makeup, moisturizer, and sunscreen. (But if you do, it’s not a huge problem, we’ll make sure your skin is properly cleansed and prepared before injecting!)

…Do This!

• Do tell us if you have previously had to endure facial cold sores or herpes break-outs. We can prescribe medication to minimize the chances and duration of a possible break-out.
• Do feel free to bring a picture of your desired outcome. Our definition of “plumped,” “smoothed,” or “contoured” could vary drastically from yours. We want to make sure we are on the same page as you.
• Do you have micro bladed eyebrows? If so, please call your brow provider to see what they recommend for Botox injections with your eyebrow treatment.
• Do you know that you bruise easily? Please tell us when scheduling, and we can make suggestions for products to take beforehand to reduce the risk of bruising. 
• Do you enjoy pineapple? Eating fresh pineapple a week prior to your appointment can help reduce the likelihood of bruising. 
• Do try to eat a small snack before your appointment. Having food in your stomach during a dermal filler, Sculptra, Kybella, Botox, or Dysport injection will help prevent you from feeling light-headed or faintish.

After Your Injection Treatment

Most of the time, patients won’t endure many problems after their injection treatments. Side effects are rare, and satisfaction is high! But there are still a few important things you should do and avoid after fillers or any other injection treatment. 

Remember, one of the best parts about injections is that you can get more at any point. There’s no need to rush and force your treatments to “work” with unproven tricks and tips. As a professional company, our advice comes from the experience of our skin care experts, so be sure to follow these tips so you’ll know what to do and what to avoid after fillers.

Don’t Do This…

• Do Not: Apply a lot of pressure when using a compress against your skin.
• Do Not: Lie down for at least 4 hours after a Botox / Dysport treatment.
• Do Not: Engage in aerobic activities for 24 hours after injection treatments. Although extremely rare, you do not want any product to migrate from its injection site.
• Do Not: Sleep flat on your face (if you can help it) for 3-4 days after your treatment.
• Do Not: Touch or massage the facial area for about 6 hours after the procedure.
• Do Not: Wear glasses or hats that may press against a treatment site for 6 hours afterward.
• Do Not: Schedule a dental treatment until two weeks after your procedure.

…Do This!

• Do use cold compresses like ice packs that help reduce bruising and swelling.
• Do remember that the immediate results you see aren’t final. It can take 14-days for Botox / Dysport to fully kick in, and sometimes even longer for dermal-filler to fully integrate.
• Do try to avoid touching the treated area for the first six hours following treatment.
• Do limit the levels of heat your skin experiences within 24 hours of your injections. This includes sun exposure and things like heat lamps or tanning beds.
• Do make sure to stay hydrated and drink lots of water, as this will help everything work to its full capacity.
• Do feel free to make a lot of exaggerated facial expressions immediately after your Botox / Dysport treatment to ensure the product has integrated into your muscle.
• Do add an extra pillow under your head before going to bed (after dermal-filler treatments). The added elevation can help prevent swelling.
• Do remember to ask about follow-up appointments!
• Do contact us if you’re experiencing any severe side effects after your appointment. Fevers or chills, discolorations around areas or areas warm to the touch, and severe pains are all issues that require immediate attention. 

Do Get a Professional Skincare Experience!

Now that you know what you can do and what to avoid after fillers, you’re ready for the real deal. Remember, getting a professional skincare experience ensures you enjoy the best preparation and best results when getting your injections. If you’re in the Philadelphia area, reach out to About Face Skin Care for a skincare experience that meets all your needs! Schedule a consultation, and don’t forget one more thing to do:

Do call us with any questions or concerns you may have before and after your treatment! If you want to take a sneak peek at how our services can help you accomplish the look you’ve always desired, check out some of our skincare before and after pictures!

The post Best Things To DO & NOT DO Before And After Injections appeared first on About Face Aesthetics.

For those looking for the easiest way to maximize their results, the solution is not the most intuitive…

In order to get the most longevity and keep cost-per-treatment down for your cosmetic-injection results, all you have to do is never let yourself get back to base-line.

The idea is that if your results never fully wear off, you will never need as much product to get you back to where you want to be. Yes, this means more frequent visits, but the treatment times should be shorter, and your cost per treatment will be less. (Bonus: More visits means more opportunities to earn reward points!)

So for example:

Let’s say that the first time you get your lips injected, you decide that you require 2x vials of to make your lips just the way you want them.

Instead of waiting until the product has completely worn away in 9-12 months (resulting in another 2x vials needed at once), come back at 3-6 month intervals for 1-vial touch-ups to keep you at your preferred Volbella/lip homeostasis. (Proceeding this way also helps to minimize any potential downtime for you. In this hypothetical situation, your lips will heal from any swelling much faster with one-vial versus how they initially responded with two-vials.)

It’s easier to process this concept if you think of your injection-product like being a piece of ice. If your lip-filler is akin to an ice-cube, the longer you have it, the more it melts and disperses. The smaller it gets, the faster it ultimately dissipates. By incrementally adding more and bulking that piece of “ice” back up, you’ll slow down the “melting” process, and prolong the effect of 2x vials — with just one vial.

Same thing with Botox.

If you regularly need 45-units of Botox (or Dysport) to achieve your desired results, and wait until your full range of movement returns before you get your next treatment, you’re likely going to continue to need (at least) 45-units at each subsequent visit.

However, if you come back as soon as you start to regain some movement, you should only require a fraction of that initial-amount to boost you back to where you want to be.

Please note: There are a bunch of caveats to the Botox scenario.

A. This advice is assuming that you are being properly treated at the get-go.

B. On average Botox and Dysport results last for 3-months, but a lot of people try to stretch out the time between visits to save money, not realizing this is actually causing the opposite effect. If you are the average person, it would be more beneficial for you to get treated every 3-months (like clock-work) before the product from your last visit has completely worn off, instead of having to start the treatment-process all over again from baseline each time.

C. To be clear, we are recommending treatments closer to every 3-months versus 6+ months, and we are not recommending anything unfathomable, unrealistic, or unhealthy, such as bi-weekly or monthly treatments.

(Bonus: The longer you can consecutively keep those forehead muscles paralyzed, the sooner they will start to weaken which in the long-run (like, ten years) allows you to need less and less neuro-toxin to stay smooth.)

Same exact principle with Sculptra and Botox / Dysport for Hyperhidrosis.

Once you reach the point that you’re happy and want to go into maintenance-mode, take baby-steps to keep-up your results and prevent having to start all over.

The only injection that this concept does not apply to?

Kybella’s results are permanent, so once you achieve the result you want — you’re set.

The post FAQ: How to Make Injection Results Last Longer? (Hint: It’s the opposite of what you think.) appeared first on About Face Aesthetics.

Pre-SculpSure Treatment

Luckily, there’s not much preparation involved before having a SculpSure treatment, since it is a non-invasive procedure. There are really only two recommendations to follow prior to treatment.

1. Please avoid sun exposure 7-days prior to treatment. (Having a suntan is OK, but if you have any kind of sunburn we cannot proceed with treatment.)

2. Please do not apply any creams or lotions on the day of treatment to target areas, and remember to wear comfortable clothing.

Post-SculpSure Treatment

After your SculpSure treatment, you may experience some mild pinkness and tenderness in the skin. Some patients have described the tenderness feeling similar to that of a bruise, since the skin is only tender when you push on it. You may also notice mild swelling and even some firmness in the treated area. Tenderness may last up to two weeks but will not impede any activity; in fact most patients report it as inconsequential.

We recommend that you gently massage the area twice a day for five to ten minutes each time. You can resume normal activity, including exercise, immediately following treatment.

Drink plenty of water post treatment, since staying hydrated helps the body flush out the damaged fat cells.

Physical activity also helps to mobilize the damaged fat cells so they can be eliminated through the body’s lymphatic system.

SculpSure Results and Further Treatment

You may start to see a change in your treated areas as early as eight weeks post treatment with full results at 12 to 14-weeks. Keep in mind that at least two treatments are necessary to achieve the best results. You can have your second treatment eight to ten weeks following your first, but you can certainly wait longer if you prefer. After that, all you need to do is enjoy and maintain your results!

The post How to Prep for Sculpsure appeared first on About Face Aesthetics.

As you may be able to tell from Kylie’s dramatic change: lip injections, when done properly, are a very safe treatment and can be performed on anyone over the age of 21. (Not sure how Kylie worked her way around that stipulation, but I guess she knows people?) Enhancements can range from extremely subtle, to extremely extreme.

If YOU are considering lip enhancing injections, here are some guidelines to make sure that you have the best experience possible. Read on for the best way to prepare for the “before” and “after” of your treatment.

Lip Injections DOs

• Before treatments, DO let your injector know if you have previously suffered from facial cold sores. (We can prescribe a medication to minimize recurrence.)
• DO have ideas of what you want. Like a haircut, if you can bring in pictures of what you are looking to achieve, it will be very helpful to your injector.
• But at the same time, DO be realistic with your expectations. For changes as big as Kylie’s, injections were likely spaced apart by a month or so, and it was a gradual process. Such a drastic pump-up should not occur with one treatment.
• DO be prepared for a little discomfort. The dermal-fillers used for lip injections all have a numbing agent mixed in, but with an area as sensitive as the lips — you are likely still going to feel some of the injections.
• DO ice afterwards! If you ice immediately after the treatment, it will help minimize any bruising. If you ice later on in the day, it will help tremendously with swelling.
• DO sleep that night with a little elevation, using an extra pillow will also help prevent swelling.
• DO wait about a week to get a good idea of what your results will look like, and then please DO ENJOY!
• DO prepare mentally and socially for swelling and bruising. Do not get this treatment right before a big event, the lips are very delicate and it is extremely normal to have swelling (and possible bruising) after your session. It can take a full 14-weeks for your swelling to completely dissipate.

Lip Injection DON’Ts

• Before treatment, DON’T use aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (such as ibuprofen), St John’s Wort, or high doses of vitamin E supplements, or drink large quantities of alcohol. Any substance that causes blood-thinning may increase your risk of bruising and bleeding at the injection site.
• After treatment, DON’T massage your lips! (You may inadvertently minimize the amount of volume achieved by squishing the dermal-filler too flat.)
• DON’T schedule this treatment if you have had a dental appointment within the past 2-weeks.
• DON’T have treatment right before a big event. It is likely that your lips will swell, and you’d likely want to have this treatment a week or two before you need to look your best.
• DON’T be scared if despite doing all the right things, your lips are still swollen and bruised. Your lips are an extremely vascular, delicate area, and sometimes it’s impossible to avoid bruising and swelling.
• DON’T expect your lip enhancements to last forever. On average, lip results should likely remain in place for about 6 to 9 months.
• DON’T get this treatment if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, no studies have been done to verify the safety for the baby.

The post Lip Injections DOs and DON’Ts appeared first on About Face Aesthetics.

All of these tips are recommended to begin immediately after your hand treatment:

• Feel free to apply cold compresses / ice packs to the injected areas immediately after treatment to help reduce swelling
• Try to avoid touching the treatment-area for 6-hours after your treatment. (The area will be temporarily numb, and you do not want to accidentally injure your skin while the area is numbed. You are welcome to wash your hands and proceed with your usual activities, just avoid heavy-massage or prodding of the area.)
• Please avoid exposing the treatment-areas to intense heat or sun until there is no redness or swelling.
• Aviod taking Aspiring, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, St. John’s Wort, and high doses of Vitamin E for 1-week after treatment. (These things may increase bruising at the treatment site.)
• After receiving your hand-treatment, try to avoid strenuous use of your hands for the first 48-hours (this may increase the risk of delayed onset adverse events.)
• Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to help maintain and preserve the skin.

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The post Handle With Care: How To Treat Your Newly Injected Hands appeared first on About Face Aesthetics.

Whehter you treated your face or your body, the Sculptra after-care instructions are the same. To insure the best possible results, please follow these after-care tips:

• 5-5-5 Rule
  Massage the treated-areas for 5-minutes, 5-times a day, for 5-days after treatment. This “massage” should consist of mid-pressure rubbing all along the injection sites. (These areas might be sore immediately following the treatment, but it is still important to massage the areas anyway.)
• Ice!
  Within the first 24-hours after your treatment, you should apply an ice-pack, frozen bag of vegetables, or ice wrapped in a towel (try to avoid putting ice directly on your skin) to the treatment areas to help reduce any swelling.
• Makeup
  If desired, you are welcome to apply makeup a few hours after your Sculptra Aesthetic treatment (as long as no complications are present).
• Sun Exposure
  Please avoid direct exposure to the sun, tanning, and UV sunlamps until any swelling and redness have dissipated.
• Worried?
  If you are concerned about any aspect of your treatment, please don’t hesitate to contact us immediately! (It’s what we’re here for!)

Things to Remember After Your Sculptra Treatment

A few days after your treatment, you may notice that you look the same as you did before treatment.

• Don’t worry! This is normal, and temporary.
• Sculptra Aesthetic works to gradually replace your lost collagen
• Visible results appear about 2-weeks after the second treatment.

Your provider will indicate how many treatments they expect you’ll need to acheive your desired results. Please understand that this is an educated estimate, and depending on how your body responds to treatment you may need slightly more or less than initially advised. Our goal is to make you happy, and our providers will give you as realistic expectations as possible.

Curious what NOT to do before Sculptra? 

The post What to do after Sculptra? appeared first on About Face Aesthetics.