Avoid aspirin, motrin (ibuprophen), vitamin E, alcohol (or any agent that would potentiate bleeding/bruising) for 7-10days prior to your treatment, but ONLY with your prescribing doctor’s permission.   Please notify me if you are NOT able to stop any prescription blood thinners or supplements. We can likely still proceed but we need to each be on the same page. Following these steps does not prevent all bleeding/bruising.  It may take around 1-4 weeks for resolution of some bruises.

Caffeine will sensitize pain receptors and is best avoided/reduced for an hour or two before the procedure.  A light meal should be eaten 1-2 hours before the procedure.  Take Tylenol 1-2hours prior or ask for a mild sedative to be given prior to starting the procedure if you are anxious (but you must arrange to be driven home from the procedure in that case).  A topical anesthetic and/or cold air may be used during the treatment to improve comfort plus injection of local anesthetics.  Follow label directions for any further use of Tylenol or ibuprofen.  Ice is NOT to be used post-procedure in a heavy or rough package; for swelling or pain a cold cloth is ok. Your CDI compression garment will help as well, more information about that is included below. Order your CDI compression garment HERE at least a week before your scheduled treatment so you can bring it to your appointment.

Please reschedule if you have a rash at or near the treatment site or an infection anywhere.  Avoid hair color, perms, lasers or injectable treatments 1-2 weeks before or until 6 weeks post treatment. Do not use hot water or steam and don’t rub or scratch at the treated area.  Avoid face down massages, chiropractor visits or dental procedures for a month afterwards.

Typically, NO incision is required for InstaLift. You should expect some discomfort at entry/exit site and swelling, especially around the eyes/mouth.  Keep the face elevated when sleeping for the first 3 nights or while swollen.  You can take over the counter allergy medicine or antihistamines to help. Use a Contemporary Design post procedure garment ordered from CB Skin Secrets website for 3 days at jowls/neck only removing briefly for showers, then continue to wear as much as possible for 2 weeks or more. Consistent wearing of the garment is strongly encouraged. Patients may opt to buy 2 so one can be washed while the other is worn, especially if they wish to continue nighttime use.

The tiny wound from entry/exit points (typically InstaLift does NOT require incisions and the needle insertion/exit points have VERY low risk for scarring or infection) will be less noticable over 1-2 weeks and will fade and flatten after initially being pink and occasionally indented. Avoid sun to the scar area with Colorescience all mineral spf products and cover yourself with clothes/hats to minimize discoloration. 

Avoid stretching or friction across the area for the 1^st 3 days strictly, then gradual return to normal activity over the next 1-2 weeks.  After lifting face/cheeks/jowls, you must open the mouth carefully and narrowly for 1 week.  No gum chewing, gaping yawns, flossing or wider mouth opening for 1 week.  Turn the head carefully for 1 week especially if the neck is treated. In the 2^nd week, gradually return to normal movements as able.  Avoid driving while you feel/are restricted in movements or are taking any over the counter pain medication. NOTE: I do NOT prescribe narcotic or scheduled medication and nothing stronger than tylenol and ibuprofen are generally needed.

You should apply polysporin, Calm Recovery or Colorescience products to nonbandaged wounds 2-3 times a day for 5 days.  Do NOT use hydrogen peroxide to the entry or exit sites. You can wash your hair when you would like but wait to gently wash your face or let water run over your face and pat dry for 48 hours after the procedure.

Antibiotic pills are not typically needed but can be prescribed starting 2 days prior to the procedure and continuing to the day after if you wish, however this may not completely eliminate the very small risk of infection and can cause unintended problems.  Infection is very uncommon but possible.

You will see some gathering of skin folds or areas which look pinched.  Do not manipulate these areas as you will irreparably loosen your lift.  At the 1-2 week follow up appointment, any needed manipulations of pinched areas will be done by me but generally, these self resolve within a few weeks.  Excessive laxity or redundancy may require other procedures and/or removal for better cosmetic result. Skin color and deep texture issues are NOT expected to resolve with InstaLift.  Results are not to be compared with that of surgical facelifts but InstaLift is a great low risk, minimal downtime procedure which may delay or negate the need for surgery.

If you have any questions/concerns, please contact Dr. Stacey E. Whitehead at CB Skin Secrets 402-915-2756 and leave a message or email dr.stacey@cbskinsecrets.com.  All contacts will be returned as able but if there is urgent need, contact your regular primary care doctor, urgent care or for an emergency, call 911 or go to the ER.