Preparation
Pre-Treatment Instructions
Tap a treatment below to view its preparation instructions. If you have specific questions, call us at (512) 477-3778.
Injectables
Botox, Dysport & Dermal Fillers
- ✓Avoid alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours prior to treatment — alcohol may thin the blood and increase the risk of bruising.
- ✓Avoid anti-inflammatory/blood-thinning medications for 2 weeks before treatment if possible: aspirin, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, St. John's Wort, fish oil/Omega-3, ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, and other NSAIDs.
- ✓Schedule your appointment at least 2 weeks prior to a special event (wedding, vacation, etc.) — results take about 14 days to appear, and bruising/swelling may occur in that window. Sculptra takes longer, so plan accordingly.
- ✓Reschedule at least 24 hours in advance if you have a rash, cold sore, or blemish on the treatment area.
- ✓If you have a history of cold sores, let your provider know — an anti-viral medication may be prescribed prior to treatment.
- ✓Have a good meal, including food and drink, before your appointment to reduce the chance of lightheadedness.
- ✓Taking Arnica may help reduce bruising and swelling — start at least 2 days prior to injections.
- ✓You are not a candidate for these treatments if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Kybella
- ✓Do not use RetinA, retinoids, or similar vitamin A products, harsh scrubs/exfoliants, or bleaching creams for 2 days before treatment.
- ✓Gentlemen should shave the treatment area one day before, unless instructed otherwise.
- ✓Do not apply creams, lotions, perfume, or makeup to the treatment area prior to treatment.
- ✓Have a recent meal, including food and drink, before your procedure to reduce lightheadedness. Let us know if you have a history of fainting.
- ✓Schedule at least 2–4 weeks prior to a special event due to bruising and prolonged swelling.
- ✓Reschedule at least 48 hours in advance if you have a severe rash, cold sore, or blemish in the treatment area.
- ✓Avoid anti-inflammatory/blood-thinning medications 10–14 days prior (aspirin, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, St. John's Wort, fish oil, ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, other NSAIDs).
- ✓Avoid alcohol for 1 week prior to treatment.
- ✓Consider taking Arnica tablets starting 1 week prior to help prevent bruising.
Sculptra
- ✓Avoid aspirin, Motrin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Aleve, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, fish oil, St. John's Wort, garlic pills, and other anti-inflammatory medications for 3 days prior (if approved by your physician) — Tylenol is preferred for pain.
- ✓Arnica tablets starting 3–5 days before treatment may help decrease bruising.
- ✓Inform your provider of any medication allergies, history of anaphylaxis, or other medical conditions.
- ✓Schedule at least 2 weeks before a big event.
- ✓Not recommended if you've had recent dental work or surgery within 2 weeks, or a recent vaccination within 2 weeks (4 weeks for COVID vaccine).
- ✓Not recommended for at least 2 weeks after any moderate illness (flu, COVID, pneumonia, etc.).
Kenalog Injection
- ✓Inform your provider of any medications you're taking, allergies, and any concerns about the procedure.
- ✓There are generally no specific pre-treatment requirements for Kenalog injections.
Hylenex (Filler Dissolving)
- ✓Avoid blood thinners for one week before treatment: ibuprofen, aspirin, Aleve, Motrin, vitamin E, fish oil, garlic, ginseng, St. John's Wort, ginkgo biloba, and primrose oil.
- ✓Avoid alcohol for 1–2 days before treatment to reduce bruising risk.
- ✓Schedule treatments at least 2–3 weeks before important events to allow full healing.
- ✓Avoid dental work for two weeks before your appointment.
- ✓Arnica may help minimize bruising if taken before treatment (optional).
- ✓Arrive with a clean face, free of makeup if possible.
B-12 Injections
- ✓This injection is for conditions not related to pernicious anemia — clients with a pernicious anemia diagnosis will be referred to their primary care physician.
- ✓Avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing medications, fish oil, flax seed, high-dose vitamin A or E, ginkgo biloba, or garlic for at least 3 days prior to minimize bruising risk.
- ✓Eat a meal or light snack prior to treatment; notify your clinician if you have a needle phobia.
- ✓Call to reschedule if you experience flu-like symptoms, a respiratory infection, or notice any skin condition on the treatment area the day prior.
Laser & Energy
Laser Genesis
- ✓Do not wear makeup on the day of treatment.
- ✓Excess hair may need to be shaved; men should be cleanly shaved.
- ✓No sun-tanning or self-tanners for 4 weeks prior (including spray tans, tanning beds, sun exposure).
- ✓Avoid skin-irritating treatments for 1–2 weeks prior (waxing, depilatories, etc.).
- ✓Notify us of any changes to your health history or medications since your last appointment.
- ✓A history of herpes or cold sores may require an anti-viral prescription prior to treatment.
IPL Photofacial
- ✓Avoid Dermal Fillers and Botox for at least 1 week prior to treatment.
- ✓Do not use Retin-A, retinoids, harsh scrubs/exfoliants, anti-aging products, or bleaching creams for 3 days before (Accutane is contraindicated).
- ✓No waxing or chemical peels in the treatment area within the 7 days prior.
- ✓Avoid excessive sun exposure for 2 weeks before and after treatment; use daily sunscreen on the treatment area.
- ✓Tell us about all medications you're taking, especially antibiotics (which can cause photosensitivity) — your appointment may need to be rescheduled.
- ✓Let us know if you have a history of cold sores in the treatment area, metal implants/rods/screws, gold therapy, lupus, or connective tissue disease.
- ✓Tell us if you are pregnant (a contraindication) or breastfeeding/on antibiotics (must discontinue oral antibiotics 7 days prior).
Photofractional
- ✓Avoid Dermal Fillers and Botox for at least 1 week prior to treatment.
- ✓Do not use Retin-A, retinoids, harsh scrubs/exfoliants, anti-aging products, or bleaching creams for 3 days before (Accutane is contraindicated).
- ✓No waxing or chemical peels in the treatment area within the 7 days prior.
- ✓Avoid excessive sun exposure for 2 weeks before and after treatment; use daily sunscreen.
- ✓Tell us about all medications, especially photosensitizing antibiotics.
- ✓Let us know about cold sore history in the treatment area, metal implants, gold therapy, lupus, or connective tissue disease.
- ✓Tell us if you are pregnant (contraindicated) or breastfeeding/on antibiotics (discontinue 7 days prior).
ActiveFX / DeepFX / TotalFX Laser Resurfacing
- ✓Do not use Retin-A, retinoids, harsh scrubs/exfoliants, anti-aging products, or bleaching creams for 3 days before treatment (Accutane is contraindicated).
- ✓Avoid excessive sun exposure for 2 weeks before treatment.
- ✓Let us know of any cold sore history, medications, or relevant medical conditions.
Laser Hair Removal
- ✓Hair should be cleanly shaved; leave a small unshaven sample for the clinician to assess.
- ✓Do not wear makeup on the treated area the day of treatment.
- ✓No sun-tanning or self-tanners for 4 weeks prior.
- ✓Some medications/supplements may increase bruising risk — consult your physician.
- ✓No waxing, plucking, or tweezing for at least 4 weeks prior (some areas may need longer).
- ✓Avoid skin-irritating treatments for 1–2 weeks prior (depilatories, harsh chemicals, etc.).
- ✓Notify us of any health/medication changes since your last visit; cold sore history may require an anti-viral prescription.
Pigmented Lesion Treatment
- ✓Do not wear makeup on the day of treatment.
- ✓No sun-tanning or self-tanners for 4 weeks prior.
- ✓Some medications/supplements may increase bruising risk — consult your physician.
- ✓Avoid skin-irritating treatments for 1–2 weeks prior.
- ✓Notify us of any health/medication changes; cold sore history may require an anti-viral prescription.
Vascular Lesion Treatment
- ✓Avoid sun exposure and tanning for 2–4 weeks before treatment.
- ✓Avoid blood thinners and NSAIDs prior to treatment if possible (consult your physician).
- ✓Notify us of any changes to your health history or medications.
- ✓Arrive with clean, product-free skin on the treatment area.
RF Microneedling
- ✓Do not wear makeup on the day of treatment.
- ✓Excess hair may need to be shaved; men should be cleanly shaved.
- ✓No sun-tanning or self-tanner for 4 weeks prior.
- ✓Avoid skin irritants a few days before treatment (tretinoin, retinol, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic/salicylic acids, vitamin C, astringents).
- ✓Notify us of any health/medication changes; cold sore history may require an anti-viral prescription.
CO2 / RF Microneedling (Secret Pro)
- ✓Do not wear makeup on the day of treatment.
- ✓Excess hair may need to be shaved; men should be cleanly shaved.
- ✓No sun-tanning or self-tanner for 4 weeks prior.
- ✓Avoid skin irritants a few days before treatment (tretinoin, retinol, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic/salicylic acids, vitamin C, astringents).
- ✓Notify us of any health/medication changes; cold sore history may require an anti-viral prescription.
Electrolysis
- ✓Make sure hair is long enough — for most people, 3–4 days of growth.
- ✓Remove any makeup on the areas to be treated.
- ✓Avoid stimulants like caffeine, chocolate, or sugar on the day of your appointment — your diet can affect sensitivity.
- ✓Avoid sun exposure for 48 hours prior to treatment.
- ✓Do not use Retin-A, Tazorac, or serious retinoids for at least 1 week prior; discontinue Accutane for at least 6 months prior.
- ✓You may be more sensitive right before or during your menstrual cycle — consider timing appointments accordingly.
- ✓Topical numbing creams (EMLA by prescription, Greencaine over-the-counter) are commonly used.
- ✓A meal just before treatment may help reduce discomfort.
- ✓Drink plenty of water the day before, day of, and day after treatment — dehydrated follicles are harder to treat, and alcohol the night before can dehydrate you.
Skin Services
Chemical Peel
- ✓Discontinue Retinol/Retin-A and exfoliating acids 3–5 days before treatment.
- ✓Come with a clean face — remove all makeup before arrival.
- ✓Avoid excessive sun exposure for 1 week before treatment.
- ✓If you have active acne, cold sores, or open wounds in the treatment area, please reschedule.
Dermaplaning
- ✓Wait 1 week after Botox or filler injections before treatment.
- ✓Stop Retin-A 5 days pre-treatment.
- ✓Wait 14 days after a chemical peel, laser treatment, or IPL.
- ✓Clients prone to Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) should treat with melanin suppressants beforehand.
- ✓Not suitable within 12 months of Accutane use, with blood thinner use, high-frequency aspirin use, cystic/grade 3+ acne, or high anxiety.
- ✓Reschedule if experiencing cold sores, sunburn, or windburned skin.
- ✓Diabetic patients must have their condition controlled by diet or medication; cancer patients need physician approval.
HydraFacial
- ✓Avoid excess sun exposure, including tanning beds, for 1 week before; use SPF 30+ daily.
- ✓Do not use exfoliants for 2 days before treatment.
- ✓No chemical peels or lasers for 2 weeks prior.
- ✓Discontinue Tretinoin-type products (Renova, Retin A, Retin A Micro, Tri-Luma, Solage, etc.) at least 2 days before.
- ✓Discontinue Hydroquinone 2–3 days before.
- ✓If you have a history of cold sores, consider prophylactic Valtrex (or similar) no later than the day of treatment.
- ✓Notify us if you develop a cold sore, acne, open lesions, or illness before your treatment.
- ✓Wait 2 weeks after Botox/filler before a HydraFacial — or have Botox/filler on the same day, only after the HydraFacial.
Glo2Facial
- ✓Wash your face gently before arriving with clean skin.
- ✓Continue your normal morning skincare routine except masks, peels, or deep exfoliation.
- ✓Drink plenty of water to arrive well hydrated.
- ✓Do not wear makeup to your appointment.
- ✓Avoid intensive/invasive skincare (masks, peels, exfoliating treatments) for about a week prior.
- ✓Do not shave or wax treatment areas (brows, face, lips, legs, bikini line) beforehand.
Acne Treatment
- ✓Do not wear makeup on the day of treatment.
- ✓Excess hair may need to be shaved; men should be cleanly shaved.
- ✓No sun-tanning or self-tanners for 4 weeks prior.
- ✓Avoid skin-irritating treatments for 1–2 weeks prior (waxing, depilatories, etc.).
- ✓Notify us of health/medication changes; cold sore history may require an anti-viral prescription.
Skin Pen Microneedling
- ✓Avoid Retinol/Retin-A and exfoliating acids for 5–7 days before treatment.
- ✓Avoid sun exposure and tanning for 1–2 weeks before.
- ✓Reschedule if you have active acne, cold sores, or open wounds in the treatment area.
- ✓Arrive with clean, product-free skin.
Facials & Extractions
- ✓Minimize sun exposure for a few days before your facial to prevent sensitivity.
- ✓Use a mild cleanser and avoid harsh scrubs/exfoliants for at least 48 hours prior.
- ✓Drink plenty of water to hydrate skin from the inside out, improving extraction effectiveness.
- ✓Avoid retinol or other potent skincare ingredients that can sensitize skin.
- ✓Avoid waxing or shaving your face at least 24–48 hours before your facial.
Body
Evolve Transform (Body Contouring)
- ✓Avoid skin irritation or intentional tanning; use sunscreen outdoors.
- ✓Discontinue irritant topical agents for 2–3 days prior.
- ✓Arrive with clean, shaven skin — no lotion, makeup, perfume, powder, or bath/shower oil on the treatment area.
- ✓Shave hair-bearing treatment areas prior to treatment day.
- ✓Be well hydrated at the time of treatment for optimal results.
Permanent Makeup & Tattoo
Cosmetic Tattoo (Brows, Lips, Eyeliner, Areola, Scar Revision)
- ✓Avoid blood thinners (aspirin, ibuprofen, alcohol) for 72 hours before treatment.
- ✓Do not use Retinol near the treatment area for 2 weeks before.
- ✓Avoid sun exposure and tanning for 2 weeks before.
- ✓Avoid Botox near the treatment area within 3 weeks before brow appointments.
- ✓Clients with oily skin should arrive without heavy moisturizers.
- ✓No eyelash extensions for eyeliner appointments; do not curl lashes the day before.
Other Treatments
A-Cell Hair Restoration
- ✓Wash your hair the night before or morning of your procedure — do not add gels or other products after washing.
- ✓Eat a meal and drink plenty of water prior to arrival.
- ✓Bring an oversized, loose-fitting baseball cap to wear after your procedure, if desired.
- ✓Avoid dental procedures before and after your procedure.
- ✓Do not take anti-inflammatory medications the day of your procedure and for 5 days after — Tylenol is fine for pain.
Skinvive
- ✓Avoid blood thinners (aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E) for 5–7 days before treatment unless medically required.
- ✓Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before your appointment.
- ✓Arrive with a clean face — no heavy makeup.
- ✓Inform us of any recent illness, cold sores, or skin infections in the treatment area.
Wart Treatment
- ✓Notify us of any changes to your health history or medications.
- ✓Avoid sun exposure and self-tanners on the treatment area for 4 weeks prior.
- ✓Reschedule if you have active skin infection or irritation in the treatment area.
Earlobe Repair (Pre-Op)
- ✓Follow any pre-procedure medication guidance provided by Dr. Schaefer, including avoiding blood thinners as directed.
- ✓Take Vitamin C (1500 mg/day) for one week prior to the procedure.
- ✓Take Arnica for 2 days prior to the procedure.
- ✓Arrange for a ride home if you'll be receiving any sedation or numbing medication that may affect driving.
Have questions about your upcoming appointment?
(512) 477-3778Ready to begin your journey?