Deka SmartXide DOT Post-Care Treatment

Preparation for Your Treatment

Before your treatment, I recommend the following steps to ensure a smooth recovery.

Prepare Your Topicals

You'll need a new and unopened tub of Aquaphor or Vaseline (with nothing added), a tub or tube of CeraVe moisturizing cream, and a non-soap cleanser like Cetaphil.

Gloves

Pick up some nitrile gloves. This is essential to avoid touching your face while it heals, which could lead to contamination. Your provider might supply you with a few to get you through.

Extra Pillow Cases

I like to buy inexpensive, replaceable pillowcases for this laser treatment. It's difficult to avoid getting Aquaphor on them, so purchasing a cheap set that you're okay with ruining is a good idea.

Day-Of Instructions

---

Before You Leave Home

Medication: On your treatment day, start taking your Valtrex first thing in the morning. This helps prevent cold sore outbreaks. The laser will irritate the skin in areas that can easily trigger an outbreak. With the skin exposed and irritated, scarring is likely to happen if left untreated. Have eye drops, Benadryl, Tylenol, and Advil on hand.

Vinegar Soak: Prepare your vinegar soak solution by mixing 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar into 1 cup of distilled water in a clean bowl with a lid. Place it in your refrigerator. You'll need clean towels to soak with this later.

Immediately After Treatment

Your provider will coat your face with Aquaphor, which helps dull the immediate sunburn feeling. If you need eye drops due to the numbing, treatment, or Aquaphor, you can use them. You may also start taking Advil and Tylenol for discomfort and Benadryl for swelling. Avoid touching your face; wash your hands thoroughly and use a nitrile glove until day three when touching the treated area.

Sun exposure is crucial to avoid complications, especially hyperpigmentation. Since you can't use sunscreen yet and probably can't wear a hat, go straight home and stay inside. Today and tomorrow, consider yourself a hermit.

Once You're Home

Now you can begin your routine care. Every six hours and before bed, perform a vinegar soak with the solution you prepared. Soak a clean towel in it and lay it over your face for 10-15 minutes. This will alleviate the burning sensation, help clean up some of the Aquaphor, and prevent acne outbreaks. You can do it more frequently if needed. Do not place the towel back in your vinegar solution after it has touched your face, or the solution needs replacing. Be sure to reapply Aquaphor or Vaseline every time you do the soak.

When you're ready for bed, do one last soak. If possible, sleep sitting up or reclined in a chair to help prevent swelling. If that isn't an option, lay a towel under your pillow to avoid ruining your sheets. If you wake up throughout the night, a vinegar soak is recommended.

Day 2 & 3

---

Start day two by completely removing your Aquaphor using Cetaphil or another non-soap cleanser. Using your nitrile gloves, slowly and gently wash away the Aquaphor. Pat dry with a clean towel and do your vinegar soak, then reapply Aquaphor or Vaseline. Continue your vinegar soaks every six hours until bedtime, and then repeat this process again, reapplying your Aquaphor. On day three, you will probably feel comfortable getting out, but remember that you cannot control your sun exposure, so it's best to stay home and inside.

Day 4-7

---

By day four, your skin has likely begun to peel. If not, that's okay. Be sure not to pick at anything; let it come off at its own pace. Continue the vinegar soaks until two you've stopped peeling.

Today, start with your cleansing routine. After washing your face, apply CeraVe cream. This is much lighter and more comfortable than Aquaphor, but you'll need to reapply it constantly, at least once every hour. You can forgo the nitrile gloves if you'd like, but ensure your hands are thoroughly washed any time you touch your face. Keep it next to your bed, as you’ll need to apply it whenever you wake up at night.

You will likely feel comfortable enough to get out of the house today. This is fine, but you must use and reapply sunscreen. A product like Ulta-MD, which is sunscreen and a moisturizing lotion, is a good choice.

Once you have finished peeling, you can begin to reapply makeup. Just be gentle when removing it. Your skin is still healing, and you should avoid any exfoliating products or those containing salicylic acid.

Day 7 and Beyond

---

Most patients have completely peeled and healed by day seven. If you're in public, most people will not notice you had anything done. However, you may still have some small lines, textured areas, or a couple of small scabs that haven't gone away yet. For some slower healers, this might not be until day ten or so, but 99% of patients will be back to normal by day seven. You can resume most of your daily routine now, still avoiding any exfoliating creams or products until a month after treatment.

Conclusion

Following these post-care instructions will help ensure a smooth recovery after your Deka SmartXide DOT treatment. Remember, taking care of your skin is crucial for achieving the best results. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out for guidance.

For more information on laser treatments and how to rent lasers, visit our website.