Care Instructions
Post-Treatment Care Instructions
Take Care of Your Skin After Treatment
It's important for you to take care of your skin properly after treatments at Eagle Creek Dermatology. These care instructions are to serve as guides only. If you are experiencing any problems, please call our office.
Care of Your Biopsy Site
It is important to realize that the healing process is not usually complete for about 3 weeks. It is normal to experience some swelling, minor redness, and minor pain or discomfort around the area for several days after the biopsy. Occasionally, clear drainage may be present.
Bacitracin ointment can be applied after the area is cleaned with warm, soapy water if it makes the area more comfortable or if there is a minimal sign of infection. If there is significant drainage, significant pain, redness or swelling, you should call the office promptly, as we may need to either call in an antibiotic or ask you to return to the office for an evaluation.
If significant bleeding occurs either spontaneously or if the site has been accidentally bumped, we recommend you apply firm pressure on the area with a fingertip using a tissue or gauze square for 10 minutes. If the bleeding does not stop after pressure has been applied for 10 minutes, you should call the office.
Skin Care After Freezing
You have just had one or more benign lesions destroyed by freezing with liquid nitrogen. It is important to realize that healing is not usually complete for approximately 3 weeks.
It is normal for the area that has been frozen to swell and occasionally blister and drain. Many times the blister may be tinged with blood and may appear red, purple, blue, or black. All of this is considered part of the normal healing process.
It is normal to experience mild pain and tenderness in the areas that were frozen during the healing process. If there is a minimal sign of infection or if the lesions are more comfortable because of the application of an ointment, Bacitracin Ointment may be applied twice daily after the lesion has been cleaned with warm soapy water.
In most cases, it is fine to bathe or shower, although care must be taken not to scrub vigorously over the lesions. Advil or Tylenol can be used for the relief of any minor pain that develops. Both of these are available over the counter.
If the pain is severe, the blister is filled with pus, drainage develops, or you have any other sign of infection, please call the office immediately. We may need to recheck the area or call in an antibiotic.
Skin Care After Blu-Light Treatment
After your treatment, you should avoid exposure to sunlight or bright light for at least 48 hours. It is important to realize that the healing is not usually complete for approximately 3 weeks and spots may become swollen and peel.
On the day of treatment:
- Sunscreen will be applied immediately after treatment.
- Begin applying cool compresses to the treated areas to minimize swelling and alleviate discomfort. The swelling will be most evident around the eyes and is usually more prominent in the morning. This swelling can last up to 2 - 3 days after treatment.
- Elevate your head when sleeping to minimize swelling.
- Take Tylenol or Advil if necessary for pain.
- Apply over-the-counter hydrocortisone 1% ointment/cream or Vaseline to the treatment areas 1 - 2 times daily.
Day 2 post-treatment:
- Continue to avoid sunlight and remain indoors.
- You may take a shower.
- Continue taking Tylenol or Advil if necessary.
- Continue to apply ice packs as needed.
- If unusually uncomfortable, you may soak the treated areas with a cold, wet towel for 20 minutes every 4 - 6 hours.
Days 3 - 7 post-treatment
- Try to avoid direct sunlight for 2 weeks.
- Use sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 for four months. SPF 65 is especially effective for treating your newly rejuvenated skin.
- Your skin will feel dry and tightened. A good moisturizer should be used daily, preferably with SPF 30.
- You may begin applying makeup once any crusting has healed.
- The area may be red for 4 - 6 weeks following treatment.
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