Please contact Valaé before your appointment if:
• You develop a cold sore.
• You become unwell.
• You start new medication.
• Your medical history changes.
• You develop an infection, rash, wound, sunburn or significant irritation in the treatment area.
• You have significant recent sun exposure or develop a tan before RF Microneedling or HIFU.
• You have had a recent aesthetic treatment that has not already been discussed with your practitioner.
• You become pregnant.
Please contact Valaé if you experience:
• Redness, swelling or discomfort that is becoming worse rather than improving.
• Significant or prolonged swelling.
• Persistent or increasing pain.
• Blistering, burns or unexpected skin damage.
• Increasing warmth, spreading redness, discharge or other signs of possible infection.
• Unexpected changes in skin pigmentation.
• Unexpected changes in sensation that persist or concern you.
• Any reaction that is significantly more severe or prolonged than expected.
2 weeks before treatment
• Avoid Retin-A, prescription topical retinoids, and retinol products in the treatment area.
• Avoid exfoliating acids, including AHAs and BHAs.
• Avoid aggressive exfoliation, facial scrubs and exfoliating treatments.
• Avoid waxing in the treatment area.
• Avoid excessive sun exposure and sunbeds.
On the day of treatment
• Do not attend if the treatment area is sunburnt, significantly irritated, infected, broken or affected by an active cold sore or skin flare.
• Arrive with clean skin where possible. Makeup will be removed if necessary.
• Inform your practitioner of any changes to your health, medication or skin condition.
For 2 weeks after treatment
• Avoid aggressive exfoliation.
• Avoid waxing in the treated area.
• Avoid products containing exfoliating acids.
• Avoid Retin-A type products.
Sun protection
• Avoid excessive sun exposure.
• Apply a minimum of SPF 30 daily to protect the treated skin from sun damage.
Homecare
• Keep the skin well hydrated.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Contact Valaé if you experience an unusual reaction or if symptoms become worse rather than improving.
1 week before treatment
• Avoid prolonged sun exposure and sunbeds.
• Do not have chemical peels, laser treatments or other skin-resurfacing procedures unless advised by your practitioner.
• Avoid waxing, threading or depilatory creams on the treatment area.
• Stop using retinoids, including retinol and prescription vitamin A products.
• Avoid exfoliating acids such as AHAs, BHAs and PHAs.
• Avoid harsh exfoliants or facial scrubs.
24 hours before treatment
• Avoid alcohol.
• Stay well hydrated.
• Avoid excessive sun exposure.
On the day of treatment
• Arrive with clean skin where possible. If wearing makeup, it will be removed before treatment.
• Eat a light meal before your appointment.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Inform your practitioner of any changes to your medical history, medications or skin condition.
It is normal for your skin to appear red and feel warm for 24-48 hours, similar to a mild sunburn. Mild swelling, tightness, and dryness are also common and usually settle within a few days.
For the first 24-48 hours
• Keep the treated area clean and dry.
• Do not touch the treated area unnecessarily.
• Do not apply makeup for 24 hours.
• Avoid strenuous exercise.
• Avoid swimming, hot tubs, and open water.
• Avoid hot showers, hot baths, saunas, and steam rooms.
• Avoid excessive sweating.
• Avoid direct sun exposure.
For the first 3-5 days
• Cleanse your skin gently using a mild cleanser.
• Apply only the products recommended by your practitioner.
• Keep your skin well hydrated.
• Do not pick or scratch any flaking skin.
• Avoid exfoliating products.
• Avoid fake tan until the skin has completely healed.
• Avoid retinoids, exfoliating acids, benzoyl peroxide, and other active skincare until your skin has fully recovered.
Homecare
• Daily SPF 50 or higher is essential following treatment, even on cloudy days.
• Avoid prolonged sun exposure while your skin is healing.
• Stay hydrated.
• Use only the skincare recommended by your practitioner.
• Resume active skincare gradually once the skin has recovered.
2-4 weeks before treatment
• Do not have chemical peels, microneedling, laser treatments, or other aesthetic procedures on the treatment area unless advised by your practitioner.
• Please inform Valaé if you have had injectable treatments in the treatment area within the last 4 weeks.
2 weeks before treatment
• Stop using topical retinoids, including retinol and prescription vitamin A products, on the treatment area.
• Stop using topical steroids on the treatment area unless medically required and discussed with your practitioner.
• Avoid significant sun exposure and sunbeds. Treatment cannot be carried out on recently tanned skin.
7 days before treatment
• Avoid waxing, plucking, threading, depilatory creams or bleaching on the treatment area.
On the day of treatment
• Arrive with clean skin where possible.
• Eat normally and stay well hydrated.
• Inform your practitioner of any changes to your medical history, medication or skin condition.
Redness, warmth, and mild swelling are expected following RF microneedling. Mild stinging, dryness, itching, flaking, or sensitivity may also occur and should gradually settle over the following few days.
For the first 24–48 hours
• Avoid perfumed products on the treated area.
• Avoid hot baths, hot showers, saunas and steam rooms.
• Avoid excessive heat and strenuous exercise if this causes significant sweating.
• Do not touch, rub, or scratch the treated area unnecessarily.
• Use only the post-treatment products recommended by your practitioner.
• A clean cool compress may be used if the area feels hot or swollen.
For the first 7 days
• Avoid exfoliating products.
• Avoid activities that significantly increase skin temperature, including intensive exercise, spas and swimming.
• Do not pick or remove any scabbing.
For the following 2 weeks
• Avoid direct sun exposure and sunbeds.
• Apply broad-spectrum SPF 50 daily to exposed treated areas.
• Avoid other aesthetic treatments unless advised otherwise.
Homecare
• Keep your skincare simple and gentle while your skin recovers.
• Use only the products recommended by your practitioner.
• Reintroduce active skincare gradually once your skin has fully recovered.
6 months before treatment
• Do not have HIFU in an area that has been treated with PDO threads within the previous 6 months.
4 weeks before treatment
• Avoid injectable treatments, including Botox, dermal fillers and skin boosters, in the treatment area.
2–4 weeks before treatment
• Avoid chemical peels, laser procedures and other aesthetic treatments in the treatment area unless specifically advised otherwise.
2 weeks before treatment
• Stop topical retinoids and topical steroid products on the treatment area.
• If a product or medication has been prescribed, do not stop it without advice from the prescribing clinician.
• Avoid professional exfoliation treatments, including microdermabrasion and waxing, in the treatment area.
1 week before treatment
• Stop acid or chemical-based skincare products in the treatment area, including glycolic acid, salicylic acid and retinol.
• Avoid prolonged sun exposure and sunbeds.
• Do not use fake tan in the treatment area.
On the day of treatment
• Arrive with the treatment area free from makeup, perfume, deodorant, creams and lotions.
• Do not attend if the treatment area is sunburnt, recently tanned, broken, infected or significantly irritated.
• Inform your practitioner if anything relevant has changed since completing your consultation form.
HIFU requires little to no downtime for most clients. Mild redness, swelling, tenderness, tingling, or sensitivity can occur after treatment. Some areas may remain tender to touch for several days.
For the first 7 days
• Treat the area gently and avoid unnecessary rubbing or pressure if tender.
• Keep the skin hydrated.
• Avoid excessive heat if the area feels sensitive.
• Avoid strenuous exercise if it causes discomfort or excessive heat in the treated area.
• Avoid significant direct sun exposure and sunbeds.
• Apply broad-spectrum SPF 50 daily to exposed treated areas.
Normal skincare can generally be resumed following treatment unless your practitioner advises otherwise.
Results
HIFU results develop gradually rather than immediately. Collagen remodelling continues over the following weeks and months, with improvements in firmness, lifting, and definition becoming progressively more noticeable.
Framework combines both HIFU and RF microneedling. Please follow the preparation and aftercare guidance provided for both Elevation (HIFU) and Structure (RF Microneedling) above.
Copyright © 2026 Valaé Skin Aesthetics - All Rights Reserved.