After Care
Botulinum Toxin
Botulinum toxin, such as Botox, relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines and wrinkles, such as crow’s feet and frown lines.
When having this treatment, botulinum toxin will be injected into muscles in your face using a very fine needle. The pain is comparable to plucking your eyebrows. The treatment usually takes about 15 minutes.
You will need injections in different places, depending on the area being treated. We will ask you to move the muscles in your face to help find the best place for the injections.
You will not see a change straight away. It takes about 2 or 3 days to start working, and 2 to 3 weeks to see the full effect.
The treatment will last approximately 3 months at first. However, if you maintain your treatment appointments with the frequency recommended (every 3 to 4 months), the duration of each treatment result may last longer.
Pre-Treatment Advice
- Reduce caffeine and alcohol consumption for 24 hours pretreatment to avoid any risk of bruising.
- Avoid taking any blood thinning medications such as aspirin for 24 hours pretreatment (unless prescribed in which case, do not stop).
- If you are particularly prone to bruising, you can take Arnica pilules which are available from most homeopathic shops or pharmacies.
Post-Treatment Advice
- Avoid lying down or learning over (please bend at knees) for at least 4 hours post treatment
- For 24 hours after your treatment, do not have a facial, nor rub or massage the treated area
- Avoid any exposure to heat such as a sauna, hot tub or tanning for 24 hours post treatment. This will prevent your blood pressure from rising and thus minimize the risk of bruising after treatment
- Some, though very few clients, experience a mild, transient headache. You can take pain relief such as paracetamol if required.
- Tiny bumps or marks will go away within a few hours after your treatment. There is a small risk of bruising. If this occurs, do not worry since it will only be temporary and can easily be covered up with makeup. Any bruising may last up to one week.
- After toxin is injected into the targeted muscles, the weakening effect gradually begins anywhere from 3-14 days and is not complete for two weeks. Therefore, optimal results are not seen for at least two weeks
Possible side effects of botulinum toxin include (although very rare)
- Pain, swelling, redness or bruising at the treatment site
- Flu-like symptoms
- Headache
- Neck pain
- Upset stomach (indigestion)
- Temporary drooping eyelids (ptosis)
- Generalised muscle weakness
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers used in the UK contain a natural substance called hyaluronic acid.
These substances are injected into your face using needle or canula.
Dermal fillers can fill lines and wrinkles and add volume to areas such as your lips or cheeks.
Fillers are not permanent. How long they last depend on things like the type of filler and where it’s injected. They usually last between 6 and 18 months.
Anaesthetic cream will be used first to numb your skin.
The treatment usually takes between 20 and 30 minutes, depending on the area being treated.
It might feel uncomfortable but should not be painful.
Pre-Treatment Advice
- Reduce caffeine and alcohol consumption for 24 hours pretreatment to avoid any risk of bruising.
- Avoid taking any blood thinning medications such as aspirin for 24 hours pretreatment (unless prescribed in which case, do not stop).
- If you are particularly prone to bruising, you can take Arnica pilules which are available from most homeopathic shops or pharmacies.
- If you suffer from cold sores, we advise the use of topical acyclovir (zovirax) 7 days pre and post treatment.
Post-Treatment Advice
- For 24 hours after your treatment, do not have a facial, nor rub or massage the treated area. Facial treatments, peels, micro-needling and laser treatments should be avoided.
- Avoid any exposure to heat such as a sauna, hot tub or tanning for 24 hours post treatment. This will prevent your blood pressure from rising and thus minimize the risk of bruising after treatment
- If applying make-up, use an upwards motion. Try and avoid makeup for 12 hours post treatment.
- Brusing is a common side effect however you must let us know if the bruise becomes white, cold and or extremely painful as this can be a sign of vascular compression or occlusion.
Signs of vascular occlusion (This is extremely rare, but you must be aware of the signs)
Vascular occlusion can present in a multitude of ways, including:
Blanching is the whitening of the skin due to a lack of blood flow and is usually the first indication vascular occlusion has occurred. This shouldn’t be confused with temporary blanching, which may occur after filler injection if the filler is mixed with a local anaesthetic, such as lidocaine, or if a patient was given a vasoconstricting medication to prevent bruising.
Temporary blanching is non-threatening and will resolve on its own.
Bruising may occur if an artery or blood vessel has become blocked due to filler injection. Bruising may range from a blue discoloration to a dusky purple-grey appearance.
Swelling is likely to occur in and around the injection site if vascular obstruction is present, and may range from mild to severe. Some swelling is normal after dermal filler injection. Contact us if you’re worried as we will be able to differentiate between normal and abnormal swelling.
Blackening of the skin is indicative of skin necrosis.
Possible side effects of dermal filler include (although very rare)
- Swelling and tenderness.
- Infection at site of injection or lumpy in appearance
- Migration, this means the filler is moving away from the intended treatment area, which may mean it will need to be dissolved.
- Blocked blood vessels in the face, called a vascular occlusion which can cause tissue death (this is extremely rare).
- It is possible for the product to harden and form granulomas.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are made up of various AHA and BHAs to create a solution that can be applied to the skin to remove dead skin cells and stimulate the growth of new cells.
The aim is to improve the appearance of the skin – for example, by reducing age spots and evening out skin tone.
There are 3 types of peels, called superficial, medium and deep (we do not offer deep peels)
Superficial and medium peels are usually safe, as long as they’re done correctly. These types of peels are not permanent and they need to be repeated to maintain results.
Superficial peels
- Skin cells are removed from the top layer of skin (epidermis).
- The solution is applied to the skin and left on for a few minutes.
- Your skin may feel tight for a couple of hours afterwards.
- Regular treatment is needed to maintain the effects.
Medium peels
- Skin cells are removed from the top and middle layers of skin.
- The solution is applied and left on for a few minutes.
- You may feel burning or stinging when it’s on your face.
- Your skin may go brown or red for a few days afterwards.
- It can take up to 6 weeks for your skin to return to normal.
- Treatment is needed every 6 to 12 months to maintain the effects.
- Often lightens the skin so it’s not suitable for darker skin.
- It has long-lasting effects so does not usually need to be repeated.
Pre-Treatment Advice
- Do not apply retinol, use glycolic or salicylic acid or any active skincare 2 weeks prior to and 2 weeks post treatment.
- Do not suntan or use the tanning bed 2-4 weeks prior to and 2-4 weeks after your treatment.
- Stop any type of depilatory treatments (waxing, depilatory creams) to the area of treatment, 2 weeks prior to and 2 weeks after your peel.
- Stop electrolysis, and any type of laser treatments (laser hair removal, IPL) to the area of treatment, 2-4 weeks before and 2-4 weeks after your peel.
Post-Treatment Advice
- When cleansing, do not scrub. Use a gentle cleanser.
- With any peel, your skin may start to peel 1-3 days after the peel and continue to peel for 2-5 more days; however, it is also possible your skin may not peel at all.
- Do not peel, pick or scratch the treated area, as this may result in scarring.
- Do not have any other facial treatments for at least 2 weeks after your peel or until the skin is smooth and back to normal.
- Always wear your sunscreen; apply a sunscreen with SPF 30 every morning.
- You may have tightness and smoothness immediately post-peel. Peeling usually begins 1-2 days after peel and can extend up to 7 days.
- Transient hyper-pigmentation and superficial crusting is possible in areas of inflamed acne. Skin type III may experience darkening after peel due to increased shedding of the outer layers.
Possible side effects and risks of chemical peels (although rare)
Your skin will be more sensitive to the sun as it heals, so you need to use sunscreen for at least a month after treatment.
Possible risks of chemical peels include:
- Darkening or lightening of the skin – this can be permanent.
- Cold sores returning if you’ve had them before.
- Scarring or an infection – although this is rare.
- Your skin will be more sensitive to the sun as it heals, so you need to use sunscreen for at least a month after treatment.
Laser Hair Removal – IPL and ND YAG
(IPL or ND YAG) to remove unwanted hair.
This light source heats and destroys hair follicles in the skin, which disrupts hair growth.
You’ll need regular sessions to keep hair from regrowing.
How often sessions are needed varies for each person. For example, you may need a session to remove facial hair every 4 weeks, and for body hair every 6 to 8 weeks up to 12 sessions (sometimes more).
On the day, you’ll wear specially designed goggles to protect your eyes.
We will apply a cool gel to the area of skin being treated.
A handheld device will be held to your skin and trigger the laser. This may feel like an elastic band snapping at your skin.
Each session may take between 15 minutes to over an hour depending on the size of the area being treated.
Laser hair removal is safe, but it can occasionally cause side effects, such as pain and discomfort, and red skin.
Pre-Treatment Advice
- Please shave the area of skin the day before your appointment.
- Do not apply fake tan or use sunbeds for at least 2 weeks before your appointment.
- You must not have been exposed to the sun or have a suntan at the time of your appointment.
Post-Treatment Advice
- The affected area may be red with a raised rash for a few hours to a few days.
- Your skin will be more sensitive to the sun after laser hair removal. It’s best to avoid exposing the treated area of skin to sunlight until after the treatment course has finished.
- Regardless of the weather, use sunscreen (minimum SPF30) for at least 4 weeks on exposed areas that have been treated.
Possible side effects of laser hair removal include (although very rare)
- Pain, discomfort or tenderness
- Red skin that may last for some time
- Crusting, blistering, bruising or swelling of your skin
- Lightening or darkening of your skin
- Scarring
- Burns from the laser’s heat
- Bacterial infections
Laser Tattoo and Semi Permanent Make Up Removal
Unwanted tattoos can be removed gradually over a series of sessions using a laser.
The energy from the laser breaks down the tattoo ink into tiny fragments, which are eventually absorbed into the bloodstream and safely passed out of the body.
How many sessions are needed varies for each person, the colour of your tattoo and if you’d like it completely removed or faded for cover up.
On the day, you will wear specially designed goggles to protect your eyes.
A handheld device will be held to your skin and trigger the laser. This may feel like an elastic band snapping at your skin.
The session will take about 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of your tattoo.
The tattoo should become lighter with each treatment.
Pre-Treatment Advice
- Please shave the area of skin the day before your appointment.
- Do not apply fake tan or use sunbeds for at least 2 weeks before your appointment.
- You must not have been exposed to the sun or have a suntan at the time of your appointment.
Post-Treatment Advice
- The affected area may be red with a raised rash for a few hours to a few days.
- Your skin will be more sensitive to the sun after treatment. It’s best to avoid exposing the treated area of skin to sunlight until after the treatment course has finished.
- Regardless of the weather, use sunscreen (minimum SPF30) for at least 4 weeks on exposed areas that have been treated.
- You may have some slight bleeding before your skin scabs over. Use aloe vera gel or Vaseline to help it heal.
You should avoid:
- Picking or scratching the scab.
- Using soap or perfumed products on the area for the first 48 hours.
- Strenuous physical activities for a couple of days.
- Swimming and saunas until the scab has dropped off (they may slow the healing process).
Possible side effects and considerations of laser tattoo removal include (although very rare)
- Pain, discomfort or tenderness
- Red skin that may last for some time
- Crusting, blistering, bruising or swelling of your skin
- Some colours not completely fading – yellow, red, green and purple ink requires more sessions to fade than black and blue.
- A small chance your skin may become temporarily darker or paler than the surrounding skin.
- A slight chance of permanent scarring (3 in 100 people develop a scar)
Semi-Permanent Make Up
- Do NOT apply makeup to the area for 7 days.
- Do NOT expose the treated area to the sun, sun beds, sea, sauna or facial treatments for the first 14 days.
- Do NOT use soap or facial scrubs, peels creams or chemicals on the treated area for 28 days.
- DO keep the treatment area moist using the aftercare cream . This is extremely important as if the area dries out, you may lose some colour depth and definition.
- DO apply aftercare cream at least 3 times a day. Apply a generous amount to the treated area before going to bed.
The area starts to heal immediately and a fine crust will form. Do not pick off the top crust; if you do it will result in a patchy finish. There will be a charge if you have not followed aftercare advice and need further treatments to perfect area. You must apply the aftercare cream as directed. This will result in the best finish. If the area is bleeding or seeping, gently pat dry and apply a thin layer of aftercare cream.
You will lose 40% of the colour during the first 7-10 days; this is due to the skin staining from the pigment.
Following the correct aftercare following your treatment is vital. You will be asked to check your brows thoroughly after your procedure. Each client’s skin heals differently and therefore I am not responsible for how your skin heals.
Further depth can be added during your touch up treatment. In some cases a third treatment may be needed. This will depend on skin sensitivity and if your skin is resistant to the pigment. This is particularly common for Eyeliner and Lip Blush treatments. There is a charge for further treatments required.
A touch up of your treatment will be needed in 4-6 weeks’ time.
To keep the colour fresh and the appearance sharp, a yearly touch up is recommended.
You must not let your semi-permanent make up fade until it has almost gone before having your colour refresh. If your semi-permanent make up has faded significantly, it will be necessary to restart the process.
To keep the colour fresh and the appearance sharp, a yearly touch up is recommended.
Corneal abrasion may occur during eyeliner procedures. However, corneal abrasion is rare.
If you have had previous problems with cold sores/herpes and wish to receive a lip treatment, you may have a reoccurrence of cold sores following the procedure. Anti-herpes medication is available over the counter or on prescription and has been shown to prevent or minimise such outbreaks.
Lip treatments will appear dry and flaky for approximately one week following the procedure.
There are few effective methods for pigment removal.
If you have an MRI scan within 3 months of your permanent make-up procedure, it is recommended that you discuss this with your General Practitioner.
Possible scarring, inconsistency of colour and loss of eyelashes may occur.
Ready for the Next Step?
If you are unsure about which treatments might benefit you, please book a FREE no obligation consultation with us so we can discuss your needs. We’re always more than happy to answer any questions you may have about any of our fantastic treatments.