Skincare and Makeup Before Treatment: Arriving with a Clean Slate
Treatment Day: Bare-Faced Arrival
All energy and injection work requires the field to be free of makeup, sunscreen and skincare: cosmetic films scatter energy (burn risk, wasted pulses), and on-site removal stretches the flow and is never complete. Brow work also needs the sebum film off microbladed areas (permanent makeup gets assessed separately).
What to Stop, and When
| Category | Stop before |
|---|---|
| Retinoids (Rx/high-strength) | 3-7 days (longer for ablative, per physician) |
| Acids (AHA/BHA) | 3-7 days |
| High-strength vitamin C actives | 2-3 days |
| Scrubs/cleansing brushes | 3-5 days |
| Ordinary moisturizer/gentle cleanser | Normal use |
Commonly Missed Details
- Nail polish/gels: clip-type pulse oximeters need light through the nail — remove or mention if monitoring applies.
- Contact lenses: switch to glasses for facial/periorbital work so shields fit properly.
- Sunscreen: fine for the journey, removed at check-in; reapplied after treatment (sun protection).
- Lash extensions: removed before periorbital energy work (heat damage and cleaning dead zones).
A Booking-Message Template
One line at confirmation: “Please arrive bare-faced on the treatment area — no sunscreen or products that day; tell us in advance about any acids or retinoids.” One sentence prevents most check-in rework.
FAQ
Does tinted moisturizer count as makeup?
Yes — any film-forming product gets removed. “BB cream” naming doesn’t change its cosmetic nature.
Microbladed brows under facial light?
Workable, with reduced energy over the brow area and preferential avoidance (pigment hue can shift); tell the operator in advance.