Care after pulsed dye laser treatment

[LizH]

I recently finished my second phase of treatments with my new doctor, and am curious about this, particularly for those treated by Perfectas:

Was aloe or another lotion applied immediately post-procedure?

What did your doctor recommend doing after the treatment (in terms of caring for the area in the next few days)?

Were painkillers prescribed? Was a particular OTC one (aspirin, acetaminophen, etc) recommended?

Do you apply aloe or another lotion a few times a day?

Have you found a type of sunscreen to be particularly non-irritating?

[LizH]

My answers:

Was aloe or another lotion applied immediately post-procedure?
My last doctor would apply lots of aloe before I left.

What did your doctor recommend doing after the treatment (in terms of caring for the area in the next few days)?
No strenuous movement or anything that would chafe the skin, moisturize frequently, take the painkillers, use ice pacs as necessary. Lately after treatments I wind up spending a few days on the couch.

Were painkillers prescribed? Was a particular OTC one (aspirin, acetaminophen, etc) recommended?
For the latest treatments (above 5 joules and the entire area done in 2 days), I've needed a prescription.

Do you apply aloe or another lotion a few times a day?
I recently switched from aloe to Aveeno, not sure which I prefer. When I was a kid we used Vaseline under gauze.

Have you found a type of sunscreen to be particularly non-irritating?
Aveeno's sunscreen/moisturizer is the easiest on my skin, but it still doesn't feel very good.

[rhonda]

Hi Liz,
When my son has a treatment they apply aloe as well. He usually ices for 20 minutes at a time several times during that first day. If he's really swollen he'll ice for 2 more days. We use aquaphor for probably 7 days or more after the treatment. He stays out of the sun for those 7 days and then applies Total Cotz sunblock 58 when it's time to go outdoors again. Trying to apply sunblock before significant healing has taken place can be irritating as you experienced. My son does not take prescribed painkillers and occasionally he'll need tylenol but maybe only 1 dose. He gets a significant amount of painkiller during the procedure so that usually lasts him.

[kelmel]

This thread is a little old, but I wanted to share this with you in case you are still searching for a sunscreen. On my son, we have two that we use. Either Waterbabies for Sensitive Skin or Neutrogena Baby. Both are sunblocks as opposed to sunscreens, so they have excellent protection. They are fragarence free, so they do not irritate his skin. Added bonus for my son is that they are white and help camouflage his stain. Poor dear is very pale every where but his stain.

Hope this helps.