DPN / Skin Tag Removal Pre-Care & Aftercare

DPN & Skin Tag Removal Pre-Care & Aftercare

DPN (Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra) and skin tag removal is a targeted cosmetic treatment intended to reduce the appearance of selected benign skin growths.

Treatment may involve a controlled cautery/electrodesiccation technique to treat the growth. Following treatment, the area may develop a small crust or scab as part of the normal healing process.

Proper preparation and aftercare are essential to support healthy healing and help minimize the risk of irritation and unwanted pigmentation changes.

DPN & SKIN TAG REMOVAL PRE-CARE

1–2 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT

Prepare the treatment area by keeping the skin healthy and free from irritation.

Avoid excessive sun exposure and tanning.

Do not use tanning beds.

Avoid self-tanner on the treatment area.

Avoid chemical peels on or around the treatment area.

Avoid aggressive exfoliation.

Avoid strong retinoids, acids, or other irritating active skincare products on the treatment area.

Do not pick, squeeze, scratch, or manipulate the growths.

Avoid other cosmetic procedures on the same area unless discussed with your provider.

Sun exposure and skin irritation can affect how the skin responds and heals after treatment.

48–72 HOURS BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT

Please avoid unnecessary irritation to the treatment area.

Do not exfoliate the area.

Avoid waxing or other procedures that may irritate the skin.

Avoid excessive sun exposure.

Avoid tanning.

Keep the area clean and moisturized with gentle products.

Avoid introducing new skincare products immediately before your appointment.

If the area becomes irritated, burned, inflamed, or otherwise compromised, contact us before your appointment.

MEDICATION & HEALTH DISCLOSURE

Before your appointment, please disclose all relevant:

• Prescription medications

• Over-the-counter medications

• Vitamins and supplements

• Allergies

• Medical conditions

• Skin conditions

• History of abnormal or excessive scarring

• Previous reactions to cosmetic procedures

In particular, tell us if you use medications that may affect bleeding, wound healing, or your skin's response to treatment.

Never stop aspirin, blood thinners, or any prescribed medication simply because you have an upcoming cosmetic appointment. Speak with your prescribing healthcare professional first.

ON THE DAY OF YOUR APPOINTMENT

Please arrive with clean skin.

The treatment area should be free from:

• Makeup

• Heavy creams

• Oils

• Self-tanner

• Perfume or fragranced products

• Strong active skincare products

Do not pick, squeeze, or attempt to remove the growths yourself before your appointment.

IMPORTANT: LESION ASSESSMENT

DPNs and skin tags are generally benign growths, but not every bump, mole, or skin lesion should automatically be treated as a cosmetic growth.

If a growth is:

• Changing in size, shape, or colour

• Bleeding without an obvious reason

• Painful

• Crusting repeatedly

• Rapidly changing

• Unusual in appearance

• Difficult to identify

it should be assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional before cosmetic removal.

We may decline treatment or recommend medical assessment when a growth is not appropriate for cosmetic treatment.

A healthcare professional should evaluate suspicious lesions before removal because some skin cancers can resemble benign growths.

PLEASE RESCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT IF:

Treatment may need to be postponed if the treatment area has:

• An active infection

• Open wounds

• Significant irritation

• A rash

• Active inflammation

• A sunburn

• Blisters

• Severe dryness or cracking

Recently undergone another treatment and has not fully healed

Please notify us if there has been any significant change to the treatment area since your consultation.

DPN & SKIN TAG REMOVAL AFTERCARE

Immediately after treatment, the treated growths may appear:

• Darker

• Dry

• Slightly swollen

• Red or pink around the area

• Crusted or scabbed

• More noticeable than before treatment

These changes can be a normal part of the healing process. A small scab or crust may develop over the treated area as it heals.

Do not judge the final appearance while the area is actively healing.

FIRST 24 HOURS

DO:

Keep the treated area clean and protected.

Wash your hands before touching the area.

Follow the cleansing instructions provided at your appointment.

Gently pat the area dry if cleansing is permitted.

Use only the aftercare product recommended for your treatment.

Keep clothing, hair, or other objects from repeatedly rubbing the treated area.

Keep your pillowcase, towels, and anything that contacts the treated area clean.

DO NOT:

Pick or scratch the treated growths.

Pull off crusts or scabs.

Rub the treated area.

Apply alcohol or hydrogen peroxide unless specifically instructed by a healthcare professional.

Apply makeup directly over open or actively healing areas.

Apply strong skincare products.

Exfoliate.

Use facial scrubs, brushes, or exfoliating pads.

Use retinol, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or other strong active products on the treated area.

Swim or soak the treated area.

Use hot tubs, saunas, or steam rooms.

DAYS 2–7

The treated areas may become darker, dry, or crusted before gradually shedding.

This is an important stage of healing.

MOST IMPORTANT RULE:

DO NOT PICK THE SCABS.

Allow the crusts to detach naturally.

Prematurely removing a scab can reopen the treated area and may increase the risk of irritation, infection, scarring, or temporary pigmentation changes.

Continue to:

Keep the area clean.

Follow your recommended aftercare routine.

Avoid rubbing and friction.

Avoid exfoliation.

Avoid strong active skincare.

Avoid unnecessary sun exposure.

MAKEUP

Avoid applying makeup directly over areas that are still open, crusted, scabbed, or actively healing.

Once the skin has completely closed and healed, you may gradually return to your normal makeup routine.

If you are unsure whether an area has healed sufficiently, contact us before applying makeup.

EXERCISE, HEAT & SWEATING

For the initial healing period, avoid activities that create excessive sweating, heat, friction, or irritation around the treatment area.

Avoid:

• Intense workouts

• Saunas

• Steam rooms

• Hot tubs

• Prolonged hot showers

• Activities that cause significant sweating

Your individualized aftercare instructions may specify a longer avoidance period depending on the treatment area and number of growths treated.

SUN PROTECTION

Sun protection is particularly important while treated areas are healing.

Avoid direct sun exposure whenever possible.

Once the skin has completely healed and is no longer open or crusted:

Use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ on exposed areas.

Reapply as directed when outdoors.

Avoid tanning beds.

Avoid intentional tanning.

Sun exposure during the healing process can contribute to unwanted pigmentation changes, particularly in deeper skin tones.

THE HEALING PROCESS

Days 1–3

The treated growths may appear darker and dry. Mild redness, swelling, warmth, or sensitivity may occur.

Days 3–7

A small crust or scab may remain over the treated area.

Do not pick or remove it.

Days 7–14

The crusts may naturally fall away as the skin heals. The area may temporarily appear lighter, darker, pink, or uneven.

Following Weeks

The skin continues to settle and any temporary pigmentation changes may gradually improve.

Healing time varies depending on the size and depth of the treated growth, treatment location, individual skin type, and individual healing response. Electrodessication-treated skin tags may develop a scab that takes approximately one to three weeks to heal.

PIGMENTATION CHANGES

Temporary pigmentation changes can occur after DPN and skin growth removal.

You may notice:

• Temporary darkening

• Temporary lightening

• Pink or red marks

• Uneven pigmentation

These changes can take time to settle.

This is especially important for clients with deeper skin tones, who may be more prone to post-inflammatory pigmentation following skin injury.

Do not attempt to correct pigmentation with strong acids, bleaching products, or aggressive exfoliation while the skin is healing.

RESULTS

Once the treated growth has healed, the area should appear smoother and clearer.

However:

Removing an existing DPN or skin tag does not prevent new growths from developing in the future.

New DPNs or skin tags may develop due to individual predisposition, genetics, hormonal factors, friction, or other factors.

The treatment is intended to address the growths treated during your appointment, not prevent future growths.

FOLLOW-UP

A follow-up may be recommended depending on:

• Number of growths treated

• Size of the growths

• Treatment area

• Healing response

• Pigmentation changes

• Individual treatment goals

Please allow the skin to fully heal before determining whether additional treatment is necessary.

Do not schedule additional treatment on an area that is still healing unless specifically instructed.

WHEN TO CONTACT US

Please contact Aniekanvas Aesthetics if you have concerns about your healing process.

Seek appropriate medical attention if you experience symptoms such as:

• Increasing or severe pain

• Significant or worsening swelling

• Spreading redness

• Pus or unusual drainage

• Fever

• Significant warmth around the area

• Blistering or severe skin damage

• Any reaction that concerns you

Do not attempt to self-treat a significant reaction.

IMPORTANT

DPN and skin tag removal involves intentionally treating the skin, so temporary redness, crusting, scabbing, sensitivity, and pigmentation changes may occur.

Individual healing and results vary.

Do not pick, scratch, or prematurely remove treated crusts. Allow your skin to heal naturally.

If you have any concerns during your recovery, contact Aniekanvas Aesthetics before applying new products or attempting additional treatments.