Following treatment, it is normal for the area to feel warm, tender or slightly irritated. Mild redness and scabbing can occur and, depending on the area treated, you may also notice a small amount of weeping during the early stages of healing.

Some treated lesions will not detach immediately. Depending on the type and size of the lesion and the treatment performed, treated tissue may take approximately 2–3 weeks to naturally fall away.

Please do not pull, pick or attempt to remove the treated tissue yourself, even if it appears ready to come away. Allowing it to detach naturally helps reduce the risk of infection, scarring or indentation.

Delicate areas, particularly the face and around the eyes, may be treated more cautiously to protect the surrounding skin and minimise the risk of unnecessary marking or scarring. Occasionally, a small amount of the lesion may remain once the area has fully healed. If this happens, please contact me for a review. Where appropriate, any remaining tissue can be treated at a later appointment once the skin has had sufficient time to recover.

It is always preferable to treat a delicate area conservatively and perform an additional treatment if required rather than over-treating the skin in one session.

Keep the treated area clean and allow it to remain uncovered and exposed to the air where practical.

You may gently rinse the area with lukewarm water. Afterwards, carefully pat it dry using a clean towel. Do not rub or scrub the area.

If the skin feels warm or uncomfortable, you may apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel to help soothe it. Keeping the aloe vera in the fridge can provide additional cooling relief.

If the area is likely to experience friction from clothing, physical work or your normal daily activities, it may be helpful to protect it with a clean, breathable dressing where appropriate. Avoid leaving a damp or dirty dressing against the skin and allow the area time uncovered when practical.

Once the area has fully healed, with no remaining scab, weeping or broken skin, you may begin gently massaging it with a suitable moisturising or scar-care product to support the skin as it continues to recover.

Until the treated area has healed:

• Avoid prolonged exposure to water, including swimming, baths, hot tubs and steam rooms.

• Do not pick, scratch or deliberately remove scabs or treated tissue. Allow everything to detach naturally.

• Avoid applying make-up directly over the treated area while the skin is broken or scabbed. Once healed, make-up can be reintroduced gently.

• Avoid shaving directly over the treated area until the skin has healed and any scabbing has naturally lifted. Take particular care with facial/beard areas and when shaving the legs or body.

• Avoid perfumed products and fake tan on or around the treated area.

• Avoid active skincare ingredients such as retinoids and exfoliating acids on or around the area.

• Avoid unnecessary friction, rubbing or pressure. Loose-fitting clothing is recommended where appropriate, particularly during the first few days.

• Avoid strenuous exercise and activities that cause significant sweating, friction or stretching of the treated area while the skin is healing. Once the scab has naturally lifted and the skin has healed, you can gradually return to your usual exercise.

• Avoid direct sun exposure to the treated area while it is healing.

Interfering with the healing area can increase the risk of irritation, delayed healing, infection, scarring, indentation or changes in pigmentation.

Once healed, it is normal for the treated area to temporarily appear a different colour from the surrounding skin.

The area may appear pink or red as part of the healing response, known as post-inflammatory erythema.

Some areas may temporarily become darker (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) or lighter (post-inflammatory hypopigmentation).

These changes often gradually improve as the skin continues to heal and settle. This can take several months and, in some cases, longer.

While the area is healing, keep it covered or out of direct sunlight where possible.

Once the skin has completely healed and there is no broken skin or scabbing, apply a broad-spectrum SPF 50 to exposed areas and reapply regularly when outdoors.

Good sun protection helps protect the newly healed skin and reduces the risk of prolonged pigmentation changes.

Please contact me if:

• The treated lesion has not detached after approximately 2–3 weeks.

• A small amount of the lesion remains once the area has healed.

• You are concerned about how the area is healing.

• You experience anything unexpected following treatment.

Some redness and tenderness can be normal immediately after treatment. However, increasing redness, swelling, pain, heat or yellow/green discharge may indicate an infection.

If you develop these symptoms, please seek advice from a pharmacist or GP, and please let me know.

If you’re ever unsure whether something you’re experiencing is part of normal healing, you’re welcome to contact me for advice.

Some concerns, including thread veins, verrucas and warts, may require more than one treatment to achieve the desired result.

Delicate areas or larger lesions may also occasionally require an additional treatment. This does not necessarily mean the first treatment has been unsuccessful; in some circumstances, a more conservative approach is preferable to over-treating the skin.

Where appropriate, further treatment will only be carried out once the area has healed sufficiently and the skin is ready to be treated again.

Please inform me of any changes to your health, medication or pregnancy status before any further treatment.

If you have any questions or concerns during the healing process, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.