Before & after your visit

Before: Every visit · Tox · Fillers & polynucleotides · Laser hair removal · Facials, peels & microneedling
After: Tox · Fillers · Laser hair removal · Peels · Microneedling

Before every visit

• Please arrive 10 minutes early. We hold your spot for 15 minutes.
• A $50 deposit holds your appointment ($25 for peels, $200 for Sculptra) and goes toward your service. We have a strict 72-hour cancellation and rescheduling policy; the details are on our Policies page. If you need to make a change, text us as soon as possible so we can help.
• Tell us if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, feeling ill, have an active infection, cold sore or rash, or have recently had a vaccine or another cosmetic treatment.
• Ages 16 and 17 are welcome with a parent in the room.

Before tox

• For 3 to 7 days before (if approved by your physician), skip aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo and other supplements that thin the blood. It helps prevent bruising.
• No alcohol for 24 hours before, and no heavy workout the day of.
• Come with a clean face if you can, and eat something light beforehand.
• Every visit starts with a quick consult with your injector, so you don't need to know your units in advance.

Before fillers & polynucleotides

To help minimize bruising and swelling and get the best possible result:

3 to 7 days before (if approved by your physician)

• Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) and other blood-thinning medications unless they are medically prescribed.
• Avoid fish oil, omega-3, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, garlic supplements, St. John's Wort and other herbal supplements that can increase bruising.
• No alcohol for at least 24 to 48 hours before your appointment.
• Drink plenty of water.

24 hours before

• No strenuous exercise or intense workouts.
• Avoid excessive sun, tanning, and heat (saunas and steam rooms included).
• No dental work for 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after filler; it can raise the risk of inflammation or infection.

The day of

• Arrive with a clean face, free of makeup if possible.
• Eat a light meal and stay hydrated.
• Let your injector know if you have a history of cold sores, especially for lip filler; a preventive antiviral may be recommended.
• Tell us if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, feeling ill, have an active infection, cold sore or rash, or have recently had a vaccine or another cosmetic treatment.

Bruising and swelling are normal and vary from person to person. Plan your treatment at least 2 weeks before any important event so you have time to heal and settle.

Before laser hair removal

• Shave the area 12 to 24 hours before your appointment. No waxing, tweezing or depilatory creams for at least 4 weeks before; the laser needs the hair follicle present to work. If you arrive unshaved, a $10 shaving fee is added.
• Brazilian: if you are on your period, we can't treat that area that day. Text us to reschedule.
• No sun. Stay out of direct sun and skip tanning beds and self-tanner for 2 weeks before. If you have a tan or sunburn we may need to reschedule for your safety.
• Clean skin. No lotion, deodorant, oil, makeup or perfume on the area.
• Medications. Tell us if you are taking antibiotics, Accutane or any photosensitive medication; they increase sensitivity.
• Drink plenty of water before and after your session.
• Wear loose, breathable clothing so the area stays cool.
• New sun exposure, open wounds, rashes or an infection? Text us before your appointment.

Before facials, peels & microneedling

• Stop retinol and other retinoids 5 to 7 days before a peel or microneedling; stop exfoliating acids and scrubs 3 to 5 days before.
• No waxing, threading or dermaplaning of the area for a week before.
• No tanning, self-tanner or sunburn for 2 weeks before a peel or microneedling; sunburned skin can't be treated.
• Skip the makeup if you can; we'll cleanse your skin either way.
• Tell us if you have used Accutane in the last 6 months, get cold sores, or are pregnant or nursing; some treatments wait.

After tox

To get the best result and keep the product exactly where it was placed:

First 4 to 6 hours

• Don't lie down flat. Keep your head upright so the product settles properly.

First 4 to 6 nights

• Avoid sleeping on your side or face; try sleeping on your back.
• Sleep slightly elevated the first 2 nights to minimize swelling.

First 3 days

• Don't rub, massage or touch the area between the brows or around the eyes.
• Avoid heat: direct sun, sauna, steam rooms and hot showers.
• No exercise, sweating or anything that increases circulation.

First 2 days

• Avoid looking down at your phone or keyboard for long stretches; keep your head at eye level.

First 24 hours

• No alcohol or caffeine; both can increase bruising and swelling.

Minor redness, swelling or small bumps at the injection sites are normal and fade within 24 to 48 hours. Results start in 3 to 5 days and are full at about 3 weeks. Anything unusual, text us.

After fillers

Sleeping and position

• Don't sleep on the injected area (especially lips or cheeks) for the first few nights.
• Sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated to reduce swelling and avoid uneven pressure.

Lips, special care for 1 week

• No straws and no hot drinks.
• Peck kisses only; avoid deep or prolonged pressure.
• Don't rub your lips together (like applying lip balm).
• Drink plenty of water and go easy on salty foods, which worsen swelling.

First 24 hours

• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, seafood and pork; they can increase bruising and swelling.

Touching and massaging

• Don't rub or massage the area for the first 3 days. After that, a gentle massage may be recommended to smooth small lumps.
• Some firmness, swelling, bruising or lumpiness in the first days is completely normal. As the product settles it can feel firmer; ask us before massaging harder.
• Be gentle with the Cupid's bow; it's delicate and easy to over-massage.

Mild to moderate swelling, small lumps and bruising are expected, especially the first few days. Full settling takes 2 to 3 weeks. Any concerns about your healing, text us.

After laser hair removal

• Redness and small bumps like razor burn are normal for 2 to 4 days. A cool compress or pure aloe vera helps.
• No sun, tanning beds or self-tanner for 2 weeks, and SPF 30+ on any exposed area every day.
• For 24 to 48 hours: no hot showers, saunas, gym or heavy sweating; no deodorant on treated underarms for 24 hours.
• For a week: no scrubs, exfoliating acids or harsh products on the area. Gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer is fine.
• Hair sheds over the next 1 to 3 weeks. Shaving is fine; no plucking, waxing or threading between sessions.
• Blistering, crusting or redness that lasts beyond 2 to 4 days? Text us.
• Your next session is in 4 to 6 weeks. Book it before you leave so you stay on schedule.

After a peel

• Peeling usually starts around day 2 and lasts 2 to 5 days. No picking or pulling the skin; let it come off on its own.
• Gentle cleanser and a light moisturizer only, twice a day. Skip makeup the first day if you can.
• No direct sun for a week, and SPF 30+ (mineral is best) every day.
• No gym, sauna, hot showers or heavy sweating for 24 to 48 hours.
• Wait until the peeling is done (about a week) to restart retinol, exfoliating acids or scrubs, and no other facial treatments for a week.

After microneedling (SkinPen, Élixir, MesoTox)

• Your skin will look and feel like a mild sunburn for 1 to 3 days. That's normal.
• Don't wash your face or apply anything for the first 4 to 6 hours. After 24 hours, cleanse gently with a fragrance-free cleanser and pat dry.
• No makeup for 24 hours. Gentle products only (hyaluronic acid serum, a simple moisturizer), and SPF 30+ mineral sunscreen every day.
• No sweating, gym, sauna, hot showers or swimming for 24 to 48 hours.
• No retinol, exfoliating acids, vitamin C or scrubs for 5 to 7 days; avoid direct sun for 7 to 10 days.
• Don't pick at any dryness or flaking. The glow shows up around days 7 to 10; sessions are 4 to 6 weeks apart.

Medical Director: Dr. Olivero, MD