Lasers and energy-based devices — laser, radiofrequency, ultrasound — work directly on your skin. The result therefore depends not only on the device but on the condition your skin is in on the day and how you care for it in the weeks that follow.
If you were at the beach last weekend, or used an acid exfoliant the night before, the physician may lower the settings or ask to reschedule, because irritated skin responds to energy differently from settled skin.
Everything below has one purpose: to have your skin in the best possible condition on the day, and to get the best result the treatment can give.
Before your appointment
Sun
Avoid strong sun and outdoor activity for roughly a week beforehand. Skin that has tanned carries more melanin than usual, which changes how it takes up the energy and raises the chance of dark marks afterwards.
What to pause
- Retinoids, acid exfoliants and any resurfacing actives — stop around 2 days before
- Facials, scrubs and bleaching treatments — avoid for a week before
- Waxing or threading in the treatment area — avoid for about a month
What to tell the physician
This is the most important section, and the one patients most often forget.
- Every medication and supplement, including herbal remedies, vitamin E, painkillers and blood thinners
- Any history of cold sores, particularly around the lips — heat can trigger a recurrence, and the physician may prescribe antiviral cover in advance
- Any tendency to keloid or raised scars, vitiligo or psoriasis
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Light sensitivity — itching, stinging or redness in sunlight
- Existing medical conditions and current treatment
Plan the date
If you have an important event within the next week or two, say so. Some treatments leave mild redness or swelling at first, and knowing your schedule lets the physician choose the approach and settings accordingly.
On the day
Come as normal; there is no need to fast. Make-up will be cleansed off before starting. If the treatment calls for topical anaesthetic, allow an extra 30-45 minutes beforehand.
If you arrive with active inflamed spots, a rash, very dry flaking skin, or any infection at the treatment site, the physician may suggest rescheduling.
The first 24-48 hours
Redness and a feeling of warmth are expected and settle on their own. Some treatments produce mild swelling as well.
- Cool compresses help in the first few hours if the area feels hot
- Leave the face unwashed for the period your physician specifies, then use a gentle cleanser for the next 2-3 days
- Moisturise generously — treated skin loses water more readily than usual
- If stinging or redness is worse than expected, the physician may prescribe something to calm it. Do not buy a steroid cream and apply it yourself
The first week
Sunscreen matters more than anything else
Not just once in the morning — reapply every 2-3 hours when you are outdoors, and add a hat, sunglasses or shade on top of that.
Treated skin is more light-sensitive than usual, and the new collagen your body has just been prompted to build breaks down under UV faster than it is laid down.
What to avoid this week
- Saunas, steam rooms, hot baths and heavy exercise that makes you sweat
- Alcohol and smoking
- Scrubs, acids, retinoids and anything irritating
- Picking or rubbing any crusting — let it come away on its own. Picking is what causes dark marks and scars
Brightening products and other actives can go back into your routine once the skin has settled; the physician will tell you when, based on the treatment you had.
When to call us
Most recoveries are uneventful, but get in touch if you notice
- redness that has not started to settle after several days, or that worsens
- blisters or open areas
- pain increasing rather than easing
- discharge, or an area becoming hot and increasingly swollen
- clustered fluid-filled blisters resembling a cold sore
These are uncommon, but the sooner they are seen the easier they are to manage. Do not wait for your next appointment.
Why the gap between sessions
These treatments work through your body’s own repair response, which takes weeks to complete. The interval between sessions is not a delay — it is time for that process to finish before the next one begins.
The right interval differs by treatment type, and the physician will give you the schedule at your consultation.
Book an assessment
The advice here is general; what applies to you depends on the treatment and on your skin. See all programmes on the Treatments page, or the equipment list under Technology & Devices.
Dr. Supranee consults every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 13.00-18.00.
Individual results vary depending on skin condition, facial structure, and post-treatment care. A physician assessment is recommended before deciding on any treatment.
For enquiries, call 098-829-0922 or 02-118-2828