preparing for first ipl with dr crouch

[lucy_nic87]

hi everyone
i have my first ipl with dr crouch in about 2 weeks time and i was a little unsure what things im meant to stop beforehand...? topically i have been using cetaphil, zinco and finacea, is the finacea ok to use right up until my appointment?
also, i take 30mg mirtazipine (remeron) pm and 2.5 mg of bisoprolol (beta blocker) am, are they both ok to continue?
and finally....supplements. i have been taking milk thistle, garlic, l-lysine, a probitioic and pyconegol (spelt wrong?!). i am ok to continue to take these as usual or should i hold off for a while? or is there any other supplements i could take to get the full benefit from ipl?
sorry for all the questions!!!! really appreciate any advice
thanks

[MARPUSBEAN]

Just do not use anything topical on your face the day of treatment, it is a good idea to have some cooling aloe gel to put on after the treatment.
You should not stop any prescription meds, and we should not advise you on these.
Garlic and pycnogenol may help in promoting better circulation, so you could stop these for, say, three days before treatment, althought it is not a big deal.
If you are not taking any "blood thinning" meds then there is nothing to worry about as far as stopping meds.

[lucy_nic87]

Just do not use anything topical on your face the day of treatment, it is a good idea to have some cooling aloe gel to put on after the treatment.
You should not stop any prescription meds, and we should not advise you on these.
Garlic and pycnogenol may help in promoting better circulation, so you could stop these for, say, three days before treatment, althought it is not a big deal.
If you are not taking any "blood thinning" meds then there is nothing to worry about as far as stopping meds.

thanks for that marpusbean, i'll just hold off those two supplements for a few days. then keep my fingers crossed that this crazy hot english weather cools down a bit for a little while ha ha!

[louise001]

I have an IPL too with Dr Crouch in about 3 weeks time. Marpusbean does IPL help to fade the veins on your face.
Lou

[MARPUSBEAN]

By veins, I guess you mean the little red damaged vessels like you get on the side of your nose?
Yes it should take them away, of course, in time they will probably come back.
If they are stubborn Dr C can always zap them with the KTP laser which will take seconds and destroy the small red vessels, this can be done after the IPL, but generally the IPL will remove them, although its main job is to tackle the deeper vessels to reduce overall redness.

[louise001]

Thank you Marpusbean ... fingers crossed he gets a few.

[lucy_nic87]

Just wanted to bump this tread in case anyone else has any supplement advice. I have my first ipl in one weeks time and should be stopping any vits that might interfere with it about now. I will stop the garlic and pycogenol as they can help circulation but plan to continue milk thistle, the probiotic and is evening primrose oil ok?
And what about after? How long should I avoid taking them? Or is there anything additional I should start taking after? Grapeseed, ester c, vit d?
Thanks!!

[nat007]

Hi Lucy,

I have also seen dr Crouch several times and use also remeron, a betal blocker called propranolol and clonidine. I discussed it with dr Crouch last year and
he advices me, as my skin is very sensitive to any laser and IPL we found in the past, to discontinue remeron for a few days before the treatment.
This, because one of it;s rare side effects is photosensitivity. And you don't want that with a device like IPL.
The same should apply for your supplements: just google if any of them can cause either photosensitivity (something natural like St John's worth can cause
it for instance, if I'm correct) and also if it doesn't thin the blood. if so, discontinue for a week or so before hand.

Best wishes Natalja