The information provided within this document should be followed by all patients receiving a Spirella spicule peel / Bio-microneedling / FCR treatment and after the treatment is administered. It is crucial to the health of your skin and the success of your treatment that you read and follow ALL guidelines in this document.
Purpose: The treatment is designed to improve the texture and appearance of your skin.
Inform your therapist:
- If you are taking any medication prescribed / non-prescribed.
- If you suffer from poor sleep quality, stress, poor diet, pain, injury or anything relating to your general health.
- If you do not think that you can resist scratching itchy skin.
- If you have a shellfish allergy (examples of shellfish are shrimp, crab, lobster, mussels, oysters, octopus or squid).
- If you/your siblings/family have vitiligo or lupus or have a history of keloid scarring.
- If you have ever suffered from psoriasis or eczema.
Patients who should not be treated:
- Those who have recovered from any illness within the last week.
- Individuals with active inflammation, congestion, cold sores or warts.
- Individuals with open wounds, sunburn, psoriasis, dermatitis or inflammatory rosacea in the areas to be treated.
- Individuals with a history of allergies, rashes or other skin reactions; or if you are sensitive to infections. Or have a shellfish allergy.
- Individuals who have taken Accutane within the past year, or have received chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding (lactating).
- Individuals who have any history of herpes simplex.
- Take any medication that triggers your immune system.
- Individuals who have taken Roaccutane in the last six months.
- Individuals with healing disorders such as those caused by diabetes mellitus, connective tissue disease (e.g. Lupus) or autoimmune conditions.
- Individuals with unrealistic expectations, or those unlikely to follow aftercare.
PREPARATION
Two weeks before your Spirella Spicule Peel / Bio-Microneedling treatment, stop using/do not have:
- Retin-A, Renova, Differin (Adapalene 0.1%), Tazorac.
- Any products containing Retinol, AHA or BHAs or benzyl peroxide.
- Any harsh/exfoliating products or procedures that may be drying or irritating on the skin area.
- IPL/Laser/LHE/waxing/electrolysis over the treatment area.
- Please inform the aesthetician if you have had any other procedure over the treatment area. This may affect your suitability for treatment.
AFTERCARE
After your treatment it is normal for the skin to be pink/red/swollen. This normally resides after 12-24 hours. Immediately after the procedure, when you press the skin, or rub, you will feel an awkward sensation of “pins/needles” being in your skin. This sensation will normally subside around 48-72 hours post procedure, as time passes after the treatment, this sensation will reduce. The prickly sensation will also at times be really itchy, the most intense period of this will be 24 hours after. After this period the skin may be dry, and peel for a few days or anything up to a week+.
These guidelines MUST be followed:
- USE SPF 50 (SUN CREAM) POST-PROCEDURE TO PROTECT THE SKIN (and for at least 4 weeks post procedure). Avoid direct sunlight/sitting in the sun/sunbathing and sun exposure should be limited to that necessary for daily life for 4 weeks after your treatment. The application of suncream will be quite uncomfortable whilst pins are felt within the skin, though is possible taking your time and with delicacy.
- DO NOT USE ANY WASHING AGENTS/TOPICAL CHEMICALS ON THE TREATMENT AREA UNTIL 48-72 HOURS POST-PROCEDURE. You can wash with mildly warm water only UNTIL THE NEEDLE SENSATION WHEN PRESSING HAS GONE.
- IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PROCEDURE, HYDRATE WITH A MILD MOISTURISER AT LEAST EVERY 4 HOURS TO RELIEVE DRYNESS OR TIGHTNESS OF THE SKIN THAT MAY BE EXPERIENCED. This must be done delicately BY PRESSING NOT RUBBING. Be careful not to over moisturise the area.
- When washing your face or body skin area, do not use any scrub products; massage VERY LIGHTLY using your hands. When washing, use WARM/COOL WATER only. Be as delicate as possible with the skin surface that has been treated.
- Immediately after washing with water, apply a generous layer of hydration (we recommend using a little, of the Clear Medical Tone & Defence Formula Skin Oil or another mild moisturiser for sensitive skin).
- DRINK PLENTY OF WATER AND EAT PLENTY OF VEGETABLES.
IF YOUR SKIN IS RED/PINK /SWOLLEN 48 HOURS + POST PROCEDURE, USE ONLY WARM/COOL WATER (NOT HOT), NO SOAP OR CHEMICALS TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE SKIN UNTIL THE SKIN RETURNS TO NORMAL. Continue to hydrate the skin as at least every 4 hours, do not over moisturise, rest and eat a healthy, balanced diet.
- Patients with hypersensitivity to the sun/pigmentation should take extra precautions to guard against exposure immediately following the procedure as they may be more sensitive following the Spirella Spicule Peel / Bio-Microneedling treatment. We recommend using Heliocare Pigment Solution to prevent pigmentation immediately after the treatment and 4 weeks post-procedure (or another melanin production inhibitor).
- Please avoid strenuous exercise/overheating of the body for at least 48 hours post-procedure. Sweating will irritate the skin. Or at least until the skin sensitivity and pin-like sensation has resided.
- Approximately 48 hours after the treatment your skin will begin to peel (on average, some individuals peel a few days later, and we have had rare where the peeling effects have started after a week). This peeling will generally last 2-5 days (the most prominent peeling). DO NOT PRICK OR PULL THE SKIN WHEN VISIBLE PEELING IS PRESENT. The skin may be drier than usual for a couple of weeks post-treatment, as natural shedding (desquamation) of the skin has been accelerated.
- Minimal alcohol consumption & no smoking until the redness has subsided and you are sure the skin is healing.
Weeks following treatment
- Do not have another facial or body treatment in the area for at least two weeks after your Spirella Spicule Peel / Bio-Microneedling treatment has healed. However, for best results, your practitioner will advise you of the best time after this to have another cosmetic procedure.
- You may resume using Retin-A, alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) products, or bleaching creams ONLY after at least two weeks after the needle sensation/peeling process is complete. Please ask your aesthetician if you have any queries.
Adverse experiences that may occur:
Though no adverse experiences have currently been reported having this peel. We can not rule out that this may occur.
Your skin may be red/swollen than usual for 2-5 days post-treatment. It is common with other abrasive procedures and expected that your skin will be itchy and/or irritated. Swelling and burning and needle sensation are normal immediately after the procedure, which normally subsides up to 24-72 hours post-procedure. Please call the mobile number at the bottom of this page/email us immediately if you have any unexpected problems after the procedure.
Cases where inflammatory acne becomes severe and skin texture becomes worse after peeling have been seen in rare cases.
Lack of effect
Although most people experience improvement in their skin, not every patient notices that their skin improves after this procedure. The lack of visible improvement does not indicate that the Spirella Spicule Peel / Bio-Microneedling treatment was unsuccessful. If you do not notice visible peeling/ improvement, please note that you are still receiving all the benefits of the Spirella Spicule Peel / Bio-Microneedling treatment, such as stimulation of collagen production, improvement of skin tone and texture, diminishment of fine lines and wrinkles and increased nutrient uptake of the skin post-procedure.
Reasons why results may not be visible
There are several reasons why a patient may not have visible improvement. Reasons may include the following:
- Having resurfacing laser treatments/ micro-needling treatments / Spirella Spicule Peels / Bio-Microneedling treatments/skin peels regularly with a short interval between sessions.
- Frequent use of Retin-A, AHA or other peeling agents before the treatment.
- Severe sun/skin damage.
Appropriate skin evaluation by your skin care professional before your Spirella Spicule Peel / Bio-Microneedling treatment is important and will help predict the outcome of your treatment. Please understand that the efficiency of the Spirella Spicule Peel / Bio-Microneedling treatment varies depending on the individual being treated, their skin health and what you want to achieve. In other words, the degree of improvement is variable.
Before treatment, if you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Skincare aftercare for the months following treatment.
- Skin should not be exposed to UV (sun exposure or tanning beds) for at least four weeks following treatment. Use of an SPF 30-50 is advised for when you are outside and in the sun for very short periods (i.e., necessary for daily life); sunbathing/sitting in the sun/tanning beds/prolonged sun exposure should be avoided altogether no matter what sunblock you are using for at least four weeks following treatment. (Please ask about the brands we stock/recommend).
- We advise that sun protection (SPF 30-50) is worn even if you are not outside (UV radiation is the non-visible spectrum of light and travels at low concentrations even at night. Therefore, the treatment increases UV sensitivity, so to be on the safe side please apply).
- Wash with cool water (at least tepid) and not hot.
- Keep the area clean and dry post-treatment.
- Do not use any creams, lotions, or prescribed treatments over the treatment area without consulting your practitioner.
- The treatment area should not be picked, scratched, or rubbed vigorously at any point throughout your treatment course. Be delicate when treating the surface of your skin area.
- If your skin feels dry before or after treatment, please regularly apply small amounts of a light moisturiser throughout the day.
- If you are having a body treatment, we also recommend wearing loose clothing on the day of the treatment and up to 24 hours post-treatment.
Self-care for the months following treatment. Skin is our largest organ.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet with adequate quality hours of sleep.
- Drink plenty of water (we recommend 2-3 litres per day depending on workload and heat stress). Hydrated bodies are efficient at clearing out toxins.
- Healthy skin requires a good blood supply and toxin drainage, so please carry out physical exercise/stretching for at least 20 minutes per day.
- Take time for a few minutes of breathing daily and practice kind introspection.
We are here to help, advise and ensure your treatment is safe and effective.