Preparing for Your Treatment

Before you book

A little preparation makes your appointment smoother and more comfortable, and helps keep bruising and swelling to a minimum.

• Start with a consultation. It’s your chance to talk through your goals, medical history and any worries, and to understand what the treatment involves, what to expect and the risks.
• Together with John you’ll agree a treatment plan that suits you before anything is booked.
• If you haven’t already, complete the consent and medical history form before your appointment. It’s an important part of keeping you safe.

The week before

• Where it’s safe to do so, avoid supplements that thin the blood — such as fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba and St John’s Wort — for about a week. They make bruising more likely.
• For the same reason, avoid anti-inflammatory painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen for about a week, unless they’ve been prescribed for you.
• Never stop a prescribed medication without checking with your GP first.
• Avoid starting new skincare products or treatments that might irritate your skin.
• Stop using retinoids or glycolic acids a few days before your appointment to reduce sensitivity.
• For dermal fillers or threads, please don’t book within two weeks of dental work.
• If you get cold sores, let John know in advance so this can be taken into account when planning your treatment.

The day before and on the day

• Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours beforehand — it increases the risk of bruising.
• Keep caffeine to a minimum on the day of your treatment.
• Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your appointment, and eat well.
• Wear something comfortable that gives easy access to the area being treated.
• If you can, arrive without heavy make-up on the treatment area.
• If you’re feeling nervous, tell John. He’s happy to talk you through each step and make sure you’re comfortable.
• Raise any last-minute questions before you start — there’s no such thing as a silly one.

Planning around your treatment

• Choose a time when you can take it easy afterwards. Plan to avoid strenuous exercise, strong sun and important social events for at least 24–48 hours.
• Bruising can happen and may last up to two weeks, particularly around the eyes and cheeks and after PDO threads. It’s a normal part of healing.
• If you have a wedding, holiday or other big event coming up, leave plenty of time between your treatment and the date.

After your treatment

John will go through aftercare with you before you leave. Following it closely is the best way to support your result and limit side effects. You’ll find the guide for each treatment on this page too.