Fractora:
Possible risks or side effects may include pain, burning, bruises, blister formation, stinging sensations, infection, pigmentary changes including decrease or increase in skin color at the site of treatment, scar formation, laser induced “cold-sore-like” blistering, skin eruptions known as “herpetic” skin eruptions at the site of treatment, and poor cosmetic outcome. Although these effects are rare and expected to be temporary, redness and swelling may last up to 3 weeks (especially when higher treatment settings are used), and are part of a normal reaction to the treatment. Burns and resulting pigmentation change and scarring are rare and may happen in skin that is not taken care according to instructions. Tiny scabs appear on the face for a few days as part of a normal healing, however make-up may be applied as soon as 1-3 days after the session to mask them and residual redness. Any adverse reaction should be reported immediately.
Although very, very rare, some patients can experience a reaction to the topical anesthetic applied prior to treatment. Patients may experience redness, itching, and/or blistering, which is short-lived and treated with mild topical cortisones. It does not leave any scarring or have permanent effects.
Patients with defibrillators or pacemakers cannot be treated due to possible interactions between the device and the radio frequency pulses.
For any of the treatments, there may also be possible hair removal at the site of treatment even if this was not the intended purpose of treatment.
Our specific plan for post care is below.
Fractora Post Care
What to expect immediately when you leave:
After the treatment, the skin becomes red, comparable to a sunburn, and slight crusts are formed. Depending on the depth of the treatment level, some blood can be seen. This is normal. But it will crust over almost immediately. The erythema (redness) will subside over the next few days. The redness will last longer if your treatment was done on higher settings.
You will have Vaseline applied to your treated areas when you leave. You will continue to apply Vaseline, and we will send some home with you. Keep the skin covered with it for the first 24 hours.
What to expect post-procedure:
Your face will be very red over the entire treated area. Small spots from the fractionally ablated tissue and some possible crusting will appear 1-3 days post treatment. These pinpoint marks will exfoliate naturally and should not be rubbed harshly or attempted to be removed manually. Let them fall off on their own.
Swelling will occur, particularly in areas treated with higher frequencies. You may also have some bruising. Both should subside over several days, but can last longer depending on how your body heals.
You may have some itching in areas as they heal. Do not scratch! You can dampen the skin and apply some hydrocortisone to areas that are itching, but only do this a minimum of 24 hours after your procedure.
What to do:
- The skin may feel very hot after treatment and this is desired. If it feels too hot, you can apply ice packs to your skin, but remember the heat is desired, so the warmer it remains, the better effects you will have.
- Wash your face gently with the Aquanil Cleanser we provide to you, starting the first night and continuing to wash each morning and night for the first 48 hours. It is a soapless, gentle cleanser that allows the skin to be cleaned but not aggravated. Do not use a Clarisonic, scrub brush, wash cloth, etc. Gently clean with your hands only. Rinse your face clean with water, then apply a coat of Vaseline for the first 24 hours, keeping it well covered. Continue to apply a thin coat of Vaseline for days 2-5 to keep the area moist for better healing. You can apply Hydrocortisone to areas that are itchy after 24 hours, but only apply this to areas that itch, not the entire area.
- Your eyelids may be shut or swollen when you wake up the morning following your procedure. This is ok and will resolve when you are upright for a little bit. You can sleep propped up a bit if you’d like – this helps alleviate swelling.
- After the first 48 hours you can use any gentle cleanser or soap you regularly use, as long as it is not aggressive or drying.
- Avoid scrubs, exfoliants, glycolic or salicylic acid, retinoids, and your Clarisonic for at least two weeks.
- Tiny scabs may appear after 1-3 days and stay for several days following the treatment. The scabs should not be touched or scratched even if they itch, and should be allowed to flake off naturally.
- A prophylactic antiviral medication (Acyclovir) will have been given to you if you are prone to cold sores. You will take the first pill prior to the treatment in the office, and should take one per day after that until they are gone.
- Make-up may be applied only 24 hours after each treatment session. For higher energy treatments, make-up may not be able to be applied for several days.
- Once you are ready to go out, make sure you use sunscreen each and every day, as your new skin layers will be very susceptible to burning.
- Antibiotics may be prescribed if infection is suspected. You need to contact us if there is any indication of infection, excessive swelling, redness, undue pain, or any other unusual or untoward symptom.
Contacting the office:
You should contact the office immediately if you have any concerns or issues occur that we haven’t discussed with you. You may also reach Dr. Rueckl on his cell phone with any emergency. You will return to the office approximately 14 days after your treatment for a follow-up evaluation.
