PRE & POST CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Optimal Health & Wellness - FEEL GOOD FROM THE INSIDE OUT!

Quick reference for your pre and post care instructions for you recent service.

FIND YOUR SERVICE BELOW

HORMONE REPLACEMENT PELLET INSERTION

PRE CARE

• Your insertion site has been covered with two layers of bandages. Remove the outer pressure bandage any time after 3 days. The inner layer is steri-strips. They should be removed in 10 days. If the tape or steri-strip comes off you may replace it with a

POST CARE

• Do not take tub baths or get into a hot tub or swimming pool for 3 days. You may shower but do not scrub the site until the incision is well healed (about 7 days).

• If you had your insertion above the belt line, no major back muscle exercises for the next 7 days; this

includes any repetitive movements that would stretch/stress/twist the insertion area including tennis, golf, side-bends, etc.

• If you had your insertion below the belt line, no major gluteal exercises for the next 4-7 days; this includes running, squats, riding a horse, etc.

• The sodium bicarbonate in the anesthetic may cause the site to swell for 1-3 days. This is normal.

• The insertion site may be uncomfortable for up to 2 to 3 weeks. If there is itching or redness you may take Benadryl for relief, 50 mg. orally every 6 hours.

• You may experience bruising, swelling, and/or redness of the insertion site which may last from a few days up to 2 to 3 weeks.

• You may notice some pinkish or bloody discoloration of the outer bandage. This is normal.

• If you experience bleeding from the incision, apply firm pressure for 5 minutes.

• Please call if you have any severe bleeding (not oozing) or pus coming out of the insertion site that is not relieved by pressure.

~REMINDERS~ New patients - VERY Important!

• Please make sure you follow up for your post-insertion blood work 4-6 weeks after your initial pellet insertion and schedule a lab review appointment to review your post-insertion lab results. There is no charge for this office visit.

• On average, females need pellet insertions every 3 months and males every 4-5 months.

• Please make an appointment for a re-insertion so as to not let symptoms return.

AZ: 623-282-2226 CO: 720-593-1849

PEPTIDES/WEIGHT LOSS SHOTS

PRE CARE

1. One Week Before Starting:

Schedule baseline labs (A1C, CMP, Lipid Panel, TSH) to evaluate kidney/liver function and metabolic markers.
Discontinue alcohol or significantly reduce intake, as it may increase nausea or liver strain.
Alert us to any GI conditions, history of pancreatitis, gallbladder issues, thyroid nodules, or diabetes.

2. Three Days Before Starting:

Begin eating smaller meals with increased protein and lower fat to prepare your GI system.
Cut back on sugar and highly processed carbs to reduce risk of nausea and cravings.

3. Day of First Injection:

Eat a small, protein-rich meal 30–60 minutes before your appointment to help minimize nausea.
Hydrate well. Aim for at least 64 oz of water daily, especially on injection days.
Avoid fasting before your first dose unless otherwise instructed.

4. Additional Notes:

Do not start injections if you’re currently sick, vomiting, or have GI distress.
Plan to rest after your first injection to monitor any initial side effects.
Bring a list of current medications and supplements to your appointment.

POST CARE

What to Expect After Your Injection:

Mild nausea, bloating, or loss of appetite is common, especially in the first few weeks.
You may feel tired or have mild GI discomfort (burping, constipation, or diarrhea).
Some patients report a metallic taste in the mouth or decreased interest in food.

1. Diet & Hydration:

Eat small, frequent meals—large meals may increase nausea.
Focus on lean protein, vegetables, and fiber-rich foods.
Avoid high-fat, fried, greasy, or spicy foods.
Stay hydrated. Aim for at least 64 oz of water per day.
Avoid alcohol, especially within the first 24–48 hours.

2. Activity:

Light physical activity like walking can help relieve bloating or mild nausea.
Avoid strenuous workouts for the first 24 hours, especially after your first dose.

3. Common Side Effect Management:

Nausea: Eat bland protein, avoid carbohydrates. Ginger or peppermint tea can help.
Constipation: Increase fiber (chia seeds, greens), take magnesium citrate, or use stool softeners if needed.
Diarrhea: Stay hydrated; drink electrolytes (e.g., coconut water or Pedialyte).
Headaches: Often due to dehydration. Increase water and limit caffeine.

4. When to Contact Us:

Severe abdominal pain or persistent vomiting
Signs of pancreatitis (sharp pain in upper abdomen or back, fever, nausea)
Allergic reaction (rash, swelling, trouble breathing)
Signs of dehydration (dizziness, dry mouth, dark urine)

5. Ongoing Care:

Your dose will likely be titrated gradually. Do not self-adjust without consulting your provider.
Track your weight, energy, and appetite each week for best results.
Follow up with your provider every 4 weeks or as directed to review your progress, labs, and adjust dosing.
Lab work will be repeated as needed to monitor liver, kidney, and metabolic function.

CO2 LASER FACIAL

PRE CARE

Avoid direct sun and wear your sunscreen for at least 14 days prior
Avoid NSAIDs, fish oil, alcohol and other blood thinners for 48 hours prior to treatment
Collect all your aftercare essentials: White vinegar, cotton rounds, mild face wash, mild heavy moisturizer
Make sure you have prepared for your down time after the procedure

POST CARE

Immediately After the Treatment

Apply a topical ointment like Laser Balm or Aquaphor (can be purchased at most grocery stores) to the treated area(s) 3-4 times a day to keep the area hydrated at all times
Applying a vinegar soak every 2-3 hours for the first 24-48 hours, can aid in the recovery process:

-1 TBSP distilled white vinegar to 1 cup water, spray or soak gauze or cotton round and apply directly to treated area (s). Store in the refrigerator to enhance cooling effect.

DO NOT cleanse the treated area for 24 hours. Use gentle cleanser only for 5-10 days post procedure (cereve or equivalent OTC gentle cleanser is recommended)
To help lessen the potential for swelling, sleep with your head elevated
The first 1-3 days, applying ice in increments of 10 minutes can help with the discomfort
Many patients will experience redness and a warm/sunburn sensation for 1-5 days. Erythema (redness) is expected to last longer with more aggressive treatments (can be up to 4 weeks)
Swelling and a mild to moderate sunburn sensation/redness are common post treatment & may last 1-5 days
Once peeling has completed, you can apply mineral makeup

ALWAYS USE CLEAN AND DISINFECTED BRUSHES AND/OR APPLICATORS

AVOID: Intense workouts and sweating for 36-72 hours post procedure
AVOID hot water directly on your face for 3-5 days
AVOID SUN EXPOSURE FOR 1-2 WEEKS with limited sun exposure for 4-6 weeks ensuring you apply a PHYSICAL sunblock at ALL TIMES
Alcohol consumption post procedure can elongate heat, swelling and discomfort
Discontinue use of all retinols, glycolic, salicylic, lactic and otherwise abrasive, acid or exfoliating products and tools for 2 weeks

2-7 Day Post Treatment:

Wash the treatment area with a mild soap or gentle cleanser and blot dry
Apply Aquaphor ointment to the treated areas (if needed)
Reapply ointment every 3-4 hours and as needed to maintain a moist environment
Avoid the use of scrubs/exfoliants (at least 14 days)
Avoid sun exposure to reduce the chance of hyperpigmentation
If you will be outside for any amount of time, USE A PHYSICAL SUNBLOCK UNDER AQUAFOR

Gently wash the treatment area using a mild cleanser or gentle cleanser; blot dry with clean towel
Apply Aquaphor ointment to the treated areas (if needed)

Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

BOTOX/FILLER

PRE CARE

Avoid herbal supplements such as Ginko, green tea and anti-inflammatories, NSAIDS (ibuprofen, aspirin, ect.), and alcohol of any kind at least 48 hours before your treatment to limit bruising and bleeding.
Be sure your schedule allows for “The Golden Rule” for Botox and Fillers to wait 2-3 weeks for full effect of injections. (This includes bruising, swelling, and lumps).
Make sure you are allowing enough healing time in between other skin appointments.
Take a quick product inventory and let your injector know if you need more products at your appointment to keep your skin looking and feeling its best!

POST CARE

BOTOX:

This treatment is not recommended if you have an important event within 2 weeks of injection due to potential for bruising and product settling.
Continue to avoid herbal supplements such as Ginko, green tea and anti-inflammatories, NSAIDS (ibuprofen, aspirin, ect.), or alcohol of any kind for 72 hours before and following treatment to limit bruising.
Do not lay down or slouch over for the first 4 hours after botox injections.
Do not participate in activities that include heavy lifting, vigorous exercise or straining for 4 hours (it takes approximately 4 hours for Botox to bind to the area and you do not want to increase circulation during that time).
GOLDEN RULE: It will take up to 14 days for any brand of Botox to take full effect. A follow-up visit 14-20 days after initial injection is suggested to assess symmetry, and final results for need for any additional treatments.
For first time clients: it is highly encouraged to follow up so we can make sure you LOVE your results.
Please be aware if additional units are necessary, there will be an additional cost.
Do not aggressively rub, touch, or manipulate areas treated with Botox for 24 hours.
Make-up may be applied after injections with a clean hand or sponge.
Bruising in the area injected is normal and often be expected, especially if treated around the eyes. Bruising can last up to 5-10 days. Using Arnica may help decrease the time of bruising.
Botox will usually last anywhere from 2-4 months depending on your life style and genetics. It is best to come back in for re-treatment when your botox is 70% worn off. This may lead to a touch up treatment, instead of a full treatment. Regular frequent injections usually yield a longer lasting facial results.
If your upper lip was treated you may experience difficulty drinking through a straw, whistling, or enunciating some words for approximately 2 weeks. Your treatment may last slightly less around your mouth due to increased movement.
Although rare, infection in the injected area is possible. Signs of infection may include redness and tenderness in the infected area and fever. Should you develop an infection, antibiotics may be necessary. Please contact us or your primary care physician should you have any concerns.

FILLER

Please note: each client experiences different symptoms in the injection process. Please continue to be patient and observant. The final result of the fillers will not be complete until at least 3 weeks after injections.
Continue to avoid herbal supplements such as Ginko, green tea and anti-inflammatories, NSAIDS (ibuprofen, aspirin, ect.), or alcohol of any kind for 72 hours before and following treatment to limit bruising. For pain relief, use Tylenol as directed.
Immediately after the treatment, there may be some redness, swelling or tenderness in the treated area. This is a normal result of the injection. These are usually temporary and generally disappear in less than 2-6 hours after injection.
Bruising is common and varies greatly between person to person. Bruising can last 2-7 days, please plan your important events accordingly. Cold compress ice packs can be lightly applied to reduce swelling and bruising.
Avoid touching the injected area for 6 hours. After that, you can use light touch to wash your face or apply makeup with clean hands. Do NOT massage the injected area unless your provider specifically instructs you to.

LIPS:

When injecting lips the swellinging may last up to 5-7 days and the lips can look lumpy and uneven during this time. This will not be the final result, and clients must wait up to 3 weeks for the filler to settle into the tissue.

A 2 week follow-up appointment with your provider is strongly recommended to ensure proper placement and any manipulation if needed.
If you have a history of cold sores, there is a risk that the needle punctures could contribute to an outbreak. Please notify your provider if you need a prescription for antiviral medication. (Prophylactic treatment, before your injection, is best practice.)

As with any filler injections, other types of reactions are very rare, but occasionally some patients have experienced, such as vascular occlusion or other reactions. Please contact us IMMEDIATELY if you feel you are experiencing any of the following reactions:

White or pale skin around injection site
Grey or “dusky” skin around injection site
Several whitehead like bumps around injection site
SEVERE swelling that has not decreased in 24 hours.

Please remember: Filler injections can vary greatly between person to person. Most fillers will last 6-12 months. It is best practice to not wait until your desired look is completely gone and back to baseline to reinject. Always reach out to your provider for their expert knowledge in when it would be best to book your next appointment to keep your desired results.

SCULPTRA/RADIESS

PRE CARE

Medical History: Not recommended for clients with autoimmune disorders, keloid history, recent infections, or contraindicated medications like anticoagulants.
Medications: Avoid NSAIDs, aspirin, fish oil, and vitamin E for 5–7 days before treatment.
Alcohol/Nicotine: Advise no alcohol or smoking for 24 hours pre-treatment.
Skincare & Makeup: Clean, makeup-free skin required. Avoid active skincare ingredients 2–3 days prior (e.g., retinoids, AHAs).

POST CARE

Avoid intense exercise, sun exposure, saunas, and alcohol for 24–48 hours.
Massage Protocol: “5-5-5 Rule” – Instruct client to massage for 5 minutes, 5 times per day, for 5 days.
Avoid makeup or skincare on treated areas for 24 hours.
Use arnica as directed
No other facial treatments for 2 weeks (e.g., microneedling, laser).
Maintain hydration.
Common: Swelling, bruising, tenderness, redness, itching
Less Common: Nodules or lumps (typically from improper massage or injection depth)

FOLLOW UP

Next Appointment: Schedule next Sculptra session in 4–6 weeks.
Annual Maintenance: Review annual touch-up needs based on collagen response.
Client Contact: Provide a number for post-care questions or concerns.

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have more questions about your care.