Before and After Your Skin Treatment: Practical Preparation and Aftercare

A practical guide to skin treatment preparation and aftercare, including what to tell your clinician, planning recovery and when to seek help.

Preparing for a skin treatment and following aftercare instructions

This guide to skin treatment preparation and aftercare covers what to share before your appointment, how to plan recovery and when to contact your clinician. Advice varies by procedure, so follow your treating clinician’s personalised instructions and arrange a consultation if you have questions.

Skin treatment preparation: before your appointment

  • Provide an accurate medical history and current medication or supplement list.
  • Tell the clinic about pregnancy or breastfeeding, allergies, cold sores, recent illness, skin infection, dental procedures or upcoming surgery.
  • Disclose recent cosmetic procedures, prescriptions and active skincare.
  • Avoid arriving with sunburned, broken or significantly irritated skin.
  • Ask before stopping any prescribed medicine; do not discontinue it without advice from the prescriber.

Plan around recovery

Temporary redness, swelling, tenderness, bruising, dryness or flaking may occur depending on the procedure. If you have an important event, allow enough time for recovery and discuss timing before booking.

Immediately after treatment

Keep the area clean and follow the written instructions provided. Avoid touching or applying unapproved products to treated skin. Recommendations about exercise, heat, swimming, alcohol, makeup and active skincare differ by treatment and should not be assumed to be the same.

Protect the skin

Sun exposure can increase irritation and pigment risk after some procedures. Use the sun-protection measures recommended for you and follow current Australian guidance on protective clothing, shade and sunscreen. For general advice, see SunSmart’s guide to protecting your skin.

Know when to contact the clinic

Expected recovery should be explained before treatment. Contact the clinic promptly if symptoms are severe, worsening, unusual or different from what was discussed. Seek urgent medical attention for serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, rapidly increasing swelling, severe pain or signs of a significant allergic reaction.

Attend review when recommended

A review helps assess healing, progress and whether the plan should continue or change. More treatment should not be scheduled automatically if the skin has not recovered as expected.

Save the clinic’s contact details before your appointment and ask questions whenever instructions are unclear. Explore skin treatment options or contact the clinic to discuss your individual needs.

This article provides general information only and does not replace medical advice. Treatment suitability, recovery and outcomes vary. A consultation with an appropriately qualified health professional is required before treatment.