Maximizing Benefits of ThreeForMe Laser Treatment
Congratulations on considering the ThreeForMe™ combination laser / IPL therapy, which we believe to be the best value in aesthetic facial treatment today. By choosing ThreeForMe, you will invest significantly in your skin’s health. Whether or not you have already had the treatment or are just thinking about having it done, it’s essential to get the most out of the session by managing preparation, expectations, and aftercare.
What Is ThreeForMe?
ThreeForMe is a great way to get a combined treatment in just one session. Combining laser and light therapy allows your skin to benefit from multiple wavelengths, which is more effective and gets better results than monotherapy or single-treatment modalities. ThreeForMe uses two technologies, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Fractional CO2 Laser, to target three distinct issues – blood vessels, sun damage, and wrinkles. IPL targets unwanted pigment, while laser creates thousands of micro-channels in the tissue to reveal fresh new skin as the healing process occurs.
This combination is effective and safe, with minimal downtime, so you can return to life quickly. It is more cost-effective than having the two treatments performed separately and is a quick way to target multiple concerns with one visit. This means ThreeForMe can save you both time and money – a win-win if you’re looking for a productive approach to skin rejuvenation.
Preparation
Now that you have decided to invest in your skin, it’s time to prepare! Taking time after the consultation to ensure you and your skin are ready can help you maximize your treatment. To get the most benefits from your treatment, let’s look at a few practical tips.
Before getting any light or laser therapy, consider a few essential things:
- First and foremost is to have any new facial lesions evaluated carefully by a dermatologist. While most facial lesions are benign, treating potential skin cancers before cosmetic interventions is critical.
- The second factor to consider is your baseline skin tone and if you have a tan or not. Tanning is not recommended for overall skin health and contributes to unwanted pigmentation issues, dry skin, and wrinkles. Excess UV exposure is also linked to skin cancer, so avoiding tanning has medical and cosmetic benefits. A tan before (or after) laser treatments can contribute to dyschromia/hyperpigmentation. A tan means your skin cells have produced melanin as a protective measure against the sun’s rays. Lasers and IPL should not be used following UV exposure, especially if you have an active sunburn. If you find yourself on the tennis court or the boat before your appointment, wear a physical sunscreen containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Wear a hat with a wide brim if you are outside before your consult. If you do end up with a sunburn on the day of your appointment, it is best to reschedule it while the skin heals and returns to its baseline color.
- Buy your products – simple but KEY! You don’t want to leave the office and frantically decide which aftercare products to use. A few products are tried and true for post-laser care, which you should purchase beforehand. Talk to us for recommendations, but consider using a gentle product with minimal or no fragrances or irritants, which can provide a barrier between the skin and the environment. Barrier ointments like CeraVe and Aquaphor may be good, inexpensive options. We also carry a complete line of Jan Marini products with specifically formulated post-laser products. If you have concerns about healing quickly or have very sensitive or inflamed skin, consider using Jojoba or Tamanu Oil as part of your post-treatment plan. If you have a history of cold sores or anxiety, talk to your doctor about prophylactic medications before your appointment.
- Finally, prepare to stay indoors for a couple of days. The downtime for ThreeForMe is minimal- just a few days of mild redness. While it might be tempting to cover it with makeup, it’s best for healing if you stick with the post-care products. Makeup can slow recovery and clog pores trying to recover from Laser damage. Early sun exposure increases the risk of unsightly (and difficult to correct) hyperpigmentation.
Expectations
Maximizing your ThreeForMe treatment can mean knowing what to expect. This includes educating yourself and talking to Dr. Boger about your concerns and what you want to focus on. If you are like most patients, you have multiple concerns, which is why ThreeForMe works so well. It tackles various issues with two different technologies, but that does not mean it can treat anything and everything! Understanding what ThreeForMe will and WON’T address is one of the most essential parts of your initial consultation. If you have deeper scars, wrinkles, or loose skin, there might be a better treatment option for you that can be performed in addition. We can help you decide which issues to treat first, and in which order the therapy is done to maximize results specific to your concerns.
Post Care
As with most facial treatments- especially laser or light-based therapies- sunscreen and UV avoidance are the most critical post-care items. This cannot be overstated, as one of the primary unwanted side effects following laser treatments is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This phenomenon is thought to occur when UV triggers melanin production while inflammation is present. It is critical to prevent this since it can be persistent and highly challenging to treat. Avoid the sun as much as possible while the skin is healing, and always wear wide-brimmed hats and sunscreen. Even a few minutes of direct sun exposure while healing can trigger unwanted pigment formation.
The Bottom Line
We love ThreeForMe™ as a combination option for several concerns that most of our patients have. However, we also understand the importance of educating our patients on what it can or can’t do. We offer a free consultation for new patients considering this and other aesthetic treatments. Call our office to schedule a consultation – we look forward to meeting you!