What should I avoid after a photofacial?

The days after a photofacial are when small habits matter most, including for readers in St. Johns, Florida. DermNet's advice starts with the sun.

Sun comes first

DermNet's page on intense pulsed light therapy says to avoid sun exposure in the days and weeks before and after treatment.

That window runs on both sides of the appointment, so the planning starts before the visit and not after it.

Rubbing and scrubbing

The next two points come from DermNet's page on pulsed dye laser treatment, which covers a different treatment. They are still a useful reference for gentle handling of treated skin.

DermNet says that after treatment, loose clothing should be worn to avoid rubbing.

It also says care should be taken in the first few days following treatment to avoid scrubbing the area, and the use of abrasive skin cleansers.

The smallest early sign

Friction is the smallest thing to overlook. Anything that rests against the treated area, such as clothing or a cloth, is worth checking before you dress and before you wash.

The paper on unconventional uses of intense pulsed light covers the technology itself.

A mirror list for the first few days

Keep a short list on the bathroom mirror covering sun, rubbing and scrubbing for the first few days. Then ask your provider which parts of that list apply to the exact treatment you had, since the guidance above comes from pages on two different treatments.