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How to Prepare Your Skin for NeoGen Plasma

Your NeoGen result starts before treatment day

Preparing your skin correctly before NeoGen Plasma treatment is an important part of achieving a safe, predictable and effective treatment response.

NeoGen uses controlled nitrogen plasma energy to create thermal stimulation within the skin. One of the factors influencing how effectively that energy is transferred is skin hydration. NeoGen’s own technical guidance explains that water within the skin assists energy conduction, which is why well-hydrated skin is particularly important before treatment.

At Sculpture Clinic in Gravesend, Kent, we therefore view preparation as part of your treatment rather than something that begins when you arrive at the clinic.

Your NeoGen journey follows three stages:

Prepare → Treat → Recover

This guide explains exactly what to do in the weeks and days leading up to your appointment.

Why does skin preparation matter before NeoGen?

Good preparation helps us begin treatment with skin that is:

• Well hydrated
• Calm
• Free from unnecessary irritation
• Protected from excessive UV exposure
• Supported by an intact skin barrier
• Less likely to experience avoidable complications

NeoGen is an energy-based regenerative procedure.

The aim before treatment is therefore not to aggressively exfoliate or stimulate your skin.

Quite the opposite.

We want your skin to arrive in clinic healthy, settled and hydrated.

Your NeoGen preparation timeline

3 weeks before treatment

Protect your skin from the sun

Avoid excessive or deliberate sun exposure for at least three weeks before your NeoGen appointment.

UV exposure can increase skin inflammation and pigmentation activity, which may make treatment less predictable and increase the risk of unwanted pigmentary change.

Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day on the area being treated.

Where possible, combine sunscreen with physical protection such as:

• A hat
• Sunglasses
• Shade
• Protective clothing

Do not deliberately tan before your appointment.

NeoGen’s pre-treatment guidance specifically recommends avoiding excessive sun exposure and using appropriate sun protection during this period.

Avoid fake tan before NeoGen

Do not apply fake tan or self-tanning products to the treatment area in the period leading up to your appointment.

We need to be able to assess your natural skin tone accurately.

Self-tan can also contain ingredients that may irritate or alter the superficial skin barrier.

If you have recently used fake tan, let us know before your treatment.

Tell us about any changes to your health or medication

Your consultation is not simply a formality.

Medical conditions, medication and previous skin treatments can all affect whether NeoGen is appropriate and how we plan your treatment.

Please contact Sculpture Clinic before your appointment if anything has changed since your consultation.

Tell us if you have:

• Started a new prescription medicine
• Started or stopped acne treatment
• Used prescription retinoids
• Developed a new skin condition
• Had an allergic reaction
• Developed an infection
• Developed a rash or active dermatitis
• Experienced a cold sore
• Had another aesthetic procedure
• Recently undergone surgery
• Become pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant
• Experienced any significant change in your general health

NeoGen guidance also specifically asks patients to disclose recent acne or wrinkle treatments, a history of keloid scarring, medication allergies, sensitive skin products and previous cold sores.

If you are unsure whether something matters, tell us.

If you suffer from cold sores

If you have ever experienced cold sores or herpes simplex around the mouth or face, tell us before treatment.

Energy-based resurfacing procedures can potentially reactivate herpes simplex in susceptible patients.

Depending upon your history and the treatment being planned, prophylactic antiviral medication may be considered.

Do not wait until treatment day to mention this.

1 week before NeoGen

Stop exfoliating the skin

Avoid exfoliation for at least seven days before treatment unless you have specifically been given a different instruction by your clinician.

This includes:

• Glycolic acid
• Lactic acid
• Salicylic acid
• AHAs
• BHAs
• Exfoliating toners
• Facial scrubs
• Enzyme exfoliators
• At-home peel products
• Exfoliating cleansing pads
• Cleansing brushes
• Microdermabrasion
• Dermaplaning
• Chemical peels

NeoGen’s patient preparation guidance recommends avoiding products and treatments that remove the outermost layers of skin during the week preceding treatment.

The objective is to allow your skin barrier to be calm and intact when you arrive.

What about retinol and tretinoin?

Retinoids require a little more individualisation.

Products containing:

• Retinol
• Retinal
• Prescription tretinoin
• Adapalene
• Other topical retinoids

may need to be temporarily discontinued before treatment.

NeoGen’s published pre-treatment guidance specifically highlights topical tretinoin and advises that patients who have recently started treatment may be told to discontinue it.

At Sculpture Clinic we will advise you according to:

• The strength of the product
• How frequently you use it
• Your skin sensitivity
• How long you have been using it
• The energy level planned for your NeoGen treatment

Do not stop medically prescribed treatment without discussing it with the prescriber responsible for your care.

Avoid other skin procedures in the week before NeoGen

Your skin should not arrive at NeoGen already inflamed from another procedure.

Avoid treatments such as:

• Chemical peels
• Microneedling
• RF microneedling
• Dermaplaning
• Microdermabrasion
• Laser resurfacing
• IPL
• Aggressive facials
• Facial waxing
• Other procedures that disrupt or irritate the skin barrier

If you have recently undergone another aesthetic procedure, tell us so that we can confirm whether sufficient recovery time has passed.

5 days before NeoGen

Hydration becomes a priority

This is one of the most important parts of NeoGen preparation.

For the five days before your treatment, concentrate on keeping both yourself and your skin well hydrated.

NeoGen’s pre-treatment guide recommends drinking a minimum of 2 litres of water per day during this period and using a gentle moisturiser or water-based hydrating mask morning and evening.

This is not simply general wellness advice.

NeoGen’s technical information explains that hydration influences energy conduction through the skin.

Aim for:

At least 2 litres of water each day, unless you have a medical condition or have been advised by a healthcare professional to restrict your fluid intake.

Spread your fluid intake across the day rather than attempting to drink a large volume all at once.

Hydrate the skin itself

During the five days before treatment, use simple, non-irritating hydration.

The aim is barrier support, not exfoliation or aggressive active skincare.

Suitable products may include:

• A gentle moisturiser
• A water-based hydrating mask
• Hyaluronic-acid-based hydration where appropriate
• Your normal gentle cleanser
• Daily SPF

At Sculpture Clinic, we may recommend a specific pre-treatment hydration product according to your skin.

Avoid introducing multiple new products immediately before treatment.

Avoid becoming dehydrated

During the final few days before NeoGen, reduce anything that significantly dehydrates you.

In particular, avoid excessive:

• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Energy drinks

NeoGen’s pre-treatment guidance specifically recommends avoiding food and drink that contribute to dehydration during the five-day hydration period.

You do not necessarily need to eliminate your normal morning coffee completely, but water should be your main source of hydration.

Alcohol is best avoided immediately before treatment.

What skincare should I use during the final five days?

Keep things simple.

Morning

1. Gentle cleanser
2. Hydrating serum if recommended
3. Gentle moisturiser
4. Broad-spectrum SPF

Evening

1. Gentle cleanser
2. Hydrating product
3. Non-irritating moisturiser

Avoid trying to make your skin look “better” by exfoliating it immediately before NeoGen.

We would much rather treat hydrated skin with a healthy barrier than skin that has been over-treated at home.

The day before NeoGen

Continue hydrating

Continue drinking water regularly throughout the day.

Do not dramatically increase your intake beyond what is comfortable or medically appropriate.

Men: shaving before NeoGen

If facial hair is present in the area being treated, shaving may be required.

Where appropriate, we generally recommend shaving the day before treatment or on the morning of treatment, depending upon how easily your skin becomes irritated.

If shaving normally causes redness, razor burn or folliculitis, shaving the evening before may allow the skin time to settle.

Do not repeatedly shave over irritated skin immediately before your appointment.

If you have a beard or facial hair that you do not wish to remove, discuss this with us before treatment because it may affect access to the treatment area.

Avoid waxing or aggressive hair removal

Do not wax the area immediately before NeoGen.

Waxing removes part of the superficial stratum corneum and can leave the skin irritated and more sensitive.

If hair removal is required, we will advise you on the safest approach.

The night before treatment

Keep your routine uncomplicated.

Use:

• Your gentle cleanser
• Hydrating skincare
• Your approved moisturiser

Do not use:

• Retinol
• Acids
• Scrubs
• Peels
• New active skincare
• Strong acne treatments
• Facial tanning products

Try to get a normal night’s sleep and remain well hydrated.

The morning of your NeoGen treatment

Continue drinking water normally.

Have a normal meal unless we have specifically advised otherwise.

There is generally no advantage in arriving fasted for an aesthetic NeoGen procedure.

Being hungry, dehydrated or consuming large quantities of caffeine can make some patients feel less comfortable during treatment.

Arrive with clean skin

Where possible, arrive at Sculpture Clinic with clean skin and no make-up on the treatment area.

Avoid applying:

• Foundation
• Concealer
• Heavy moisturisers
• Facial oils
• Perfume on the treatment area
• Aftershave on the treatment area
• Fake tan

Do not worry if this is not practical because we can appropriately prepare the skin in clinic.

However, arriving without make-up makes the process easier.

Contact lenses and NeoGen eye treatment

If we are treating the upper or lower eye area, contact lenses should not be worn during treatment.

Bring your glasses with you if required.

Contact lenses can be removed at the clinic before treatment.

What should I bring to my appointment?

You do not need to bring very much.

Useful items include:

• Your glasses if you normally wear contact lenses
• A hat for travelling home
• Sunglasses
• Any medication information we have asked you to bring
• Your updated medication list if anything has changed

You will receive your treatment-specific aftercare guidance before leaving the clinic.

Do I need numbing cream?

This depends upon the treatment energy and treatment area.

Lower-energy NeoGen can often be performed without topical anaesthetic.

More intensive treatments may require additional comfort measures.

Do not apply your own numbing cream before attending unless we have specifically instructed you to do so.

We need to know exactly what has been applied to the skin before treatment.

Should I take painkillers before NeoGen?

Do not routinely take additional medication simply because you are having NeoGen unless we have advised you to do so.

If you regularly take prescribed medication, continue it unless the clinician responsible for that medication has advised otherwise.

Never discontinue:

• Anticoagulants
• Antiplatelet medicines
• Anti-inflammatory medicines
• Steroids
• Prescription skincare
• Any other prescribed medication

solely because you are having an aesthetic treatment without appropriate medical advice.

Tell us what you take and we will determine whether it affects your treatment plan.

Preparing darker or pigmentation-prone skin

Patients who are susceptible to pigmentation require particularly thoughtful preparation.

Inflammation can stimulate melanogenesis and potentially contribute to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

For this reason, we may recommend a longer preparation period or a specific pigment-control skincare programme before treatment where clinically appropriate.

This is particularly relevant for patients with:

• A history of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
• Melasma
• Previous pigmentation after aesthetic procedures
• Higher Fitzpatrick skin types
• Recent tanning or significant UV exposure

Your preparation programme will be individualised rather than automatically prescribing the same pigment-control products to every patient.

Sun protection remains essential.

What if my skin becomes irritated before treatment?

Tell us.

Do not attempt to “fix” irritated skin by applying more active products.

Treatment may need to be postponed if you develop:

• Significant redness
• Active dermatitis
• Broken skin
• Infection
• Cold sores
• Significant acne inflammation
• Sunburn
• An unexplained rash
• An allergic reaction

Performing an elective resurfacing treatment through compromised skin is rarely sensible.

We would rather allow the skin to recover properly first.

What if I get sunburnt before NeoGen?

Contact us before attending.

NeoGen should not be carried out over acutely sunburnt or significantly inflamed skin.

Your appointment may need to be rescheduled.

Do not conceal recent sun exposure or tanning because it can affect treatment planning and safety.

Can I have NeoGen if I am taking antibiotics?

It depends upon:

• Why you are taking the antibiotic
• The medication being used
• Whether an infection is still present
• Whether the medicine has any relevant photosensitising or skin effects

Do not stop antibiotics yourself.

Contact us before your appointment and we will review your circumstances.

Can I have NeoGen if I am taking isotretinoin?

Current or recent isotretinoin use needs to be discussed with your treating clinician before any elective skin resurfacing procedure.

Historical blanket rules around waiting periods following isotretinoin have evolved as evidence has changed, but treatment decisions still depend on the procedure, dose, skin condition and individual risk.

Tell us if you are currently taking isotretinoin or have taken it recently.

Can I exercise before treatment?

Normal exercise is generally fine in the days preceding NeoGen.

On treatment day, however, avoid arriving immediately after an intense workout with your skin:

• Hot
• Sweaty
• Flushed
• Dehydrated

Allow yourself time to cool down and rehydrate first.

Can I drink alcohol before NeoGen?

We recommend avoiding or substantially reducing alcohol during the final 24–48 hours before treatment.

Alcohol can contribute to:

• Dehydration
• Flushing
• Vasodilation
• Poor sleep

All of these are unhelpful when our objective is to begin with calm, hydrated skin.

Can I have a facial before NeoGen?

Not immediately before your treatment.

Avoid facials that involve:

• Exfoliation
• Acids
• Dermaplaning
• Microdermabrasion
• Extraction
• Strong active ingredients

during the week before your NeoGen appointment unless your clinician has specifically recommended the treatment as part of your preparation programme.

A simple hydrating treatment may sometimes be appropriate, but check with us first.

Your NeoGen preparation checklist

3 weeks before

• Protect your skin from excessive sun exposure.
• Use broad-spectrum SPF every day.
• Avoid deliberate tanning.
• Tell us about any significant changes in health or medication.

1 week before

• Stop exfoliating acids and scrubs.
• Avoid exfoliating facials and procedures.
• Follow our advice regarding retinol or prescription retinoids.
• Keep skincare gentle.

5 days before

• Drink at least 2 litres of water per day where medically appropriate.
• Moisturise morning and evening.
• Use a water-based hydrating mask if recommended.
• Reduce alcohol and other dehydrating drinks.
• Continue daily SPF.

Day before

• Continue hydration.
• Shave the treatment area if advised.
• Do not wax.
• Avoid active skincare.
• Keep the skin calm.

Treatment day

• Continue normal hydration.
• Eat normally.
• Arrive without make-up where possible.
• Do not apply perfume or aftershave to the treatment area.
• Remove contact lenses before eye treatment.
• Tell us if anything about your health, medication or skin has changed.

The most important things to remember

If you remember only five things before your NeoGen treatment, make them these:

1. Hydrate

Well-hydrated skin is important for NeoGen energy delivery.

2. Protect your skin from the sun

Avoid tanning and excessive UV exposure.

3. Stop exfoliating

We want a healthy barrier, not freshly exfoliated skin.

4. Keep your skincare simple

This is not the week to experiment with new active products.

5. Tell us if anything has changed

Medication, illness, cold sores, rashes and other treatments can all matter.

Preparing for each treatment in your NeoGen course

If you are undergoing a course of NeoGen treatments, preparation is important before every session.

Do not assume that because your skin tolerated the first treatment well you can skip your preparation before subsequent appointments.

Treatment settings may change during a course.

At Sculpture Clinic, we commonly use a progressive treatment approach where subsequent treatment intensity can be adjusted according to:

• Your previous response
• Recovery time
• Skin improvement
• Treatment goals
• Tolerance of downtime

Maintaining good hydration, sun protection and a healthy skin barrier therefore remains important throughout your complete NeoGen programme.

Frequently asked questions about preparing for NeoGen

How much water should I drink before NeoGen?

NeoGen’s pre-treatment guide recommends a minimum of 2 litres per day for the five days preceding treatment. This should only be followed where medically appropriate for you.

Why is hydration important for NeoGen?

NeoGen’s technical literature explains that the hydration of the skin influences how plasma energy is conducted through the tissue.

When should I stop retinol?

This depends on the formulation, strength and your individual skin. We will normally advise you to stop irritating active products before treatment, but prescribed retinoids should not be discontinued without appropriate advice.

Can I use hyaluronic acid before NeoGen?

A simple hydrating product may be appropriate provided it does not irritate your skin. We may recommend hydrating skincare during the five days before treatment.

Can I exfoliate before NeoGen?

No. Avoid exfoliants for at least a week before treatment unless specifically instructed otherwise.

Can I tan before NeoGen?

No. Avoid deliberate tanning and excessive sun exposure. NeoGen’s guidance recommends at least three weeks of sun avoidance and protection before treatment.

Can I wear make-up to my appointment?

Where possible, arrive without make-up. We can cleanse the skin in clinic if necessary.

Should I shave before NeoGen?

If facial hair covers the treatment area, shaving may be required. We will advise whether you should shave the day before or on treatment morning.

Can I drink coffee before NeoGen?

Normal moderate caffeine intake is unlikely to be a problem, but do not use coffee instead of water. Hydration is particularly important during the five days before treatment.

Can I drink alcohol the night before?

We recommend avoiding alcohol immediately before treatment because it can contribute to dehydration and flushing.

Should I moisturise before NeoGen?

Yes. NeoGen’s pre-treatment guidance recommends a non-irritating, unperfumed moisturiser or water-based hydrating mask during the five days before treatment.

What happens if I forget my preparation?

Tell us rather than concealing it.

Missing one part of preparation does not automatically mean treatment must be cancelled, but we need accurate information to decide whether proceeding is appropriate.

Prepared skin. Planned treatment. Supported recovery.

Successful NeoGen treatment involves more than choosing an energy setting.

At Sculpture Clinic, we consider the complete pathway:

Skin assessment → Preparation → NeoGen treatment → Recovery → Collagen remodelling → Review

Preparing the skin gives us the best possible starting point.

Following treatment, our dedicated NeoGen Plasma Aftercare Guide explains how to protect your skin as it recovers and regenerates.

[READ OUR NEOGEN AFTERCARE GUIDE]

[BOOK A NEOGEN CONSULTATION]

Sculpture Clinic

20 Windmill Street
Gravesend
Kent
DA12 1AS