Introduction | Potenza Downtime: When is it OK to wash my face, apply makeup, and exercise?
Potenza is a treatment that can address a wide range of skin concerns, including acne scars, pores, redness, and sagging. However, because it uses needles and radiofrequency (RF) energy, the skin will be temporarily delicate after the procedure. In this article, Dr. Shiramizu, the chief director of Elm Clinic, will explain how to manage the downtime after Potenza in an easy-to-understand Q&A format.
*This article is a revised and expanded version of the content from the YouTube video.
- What happens during Potenza's downtime
- Downtime timeline
- Things that are OK and NOT OK from day one [Q&A]
- Regarding combining this treatment with other cosmetic procedures
- Signs that you should contact us early | Risk Management
- Treatment frequency and guidelines for evaluating effectiveness
- Summary
What happens during Potenza's downtime
Skin condition immediately after treatment
Immediately after receiving Potenza with a needle-type tip (CP25, S tip, acne tip, etc.),I experience severe redness, heat, and stinging all over my face.Although the needle punctures themselves are quite fine, they create tiny irritations all over the skin, so the skin remains quite sensitive throughout the day.
for that reason,The basic rule is to refrain from going out on that day.Therefore, it is ideal to receive treatment on a day when you can relax at home, avoiding days when you have work or other commitments.
How many days will the redness subside?
Most people experience a significant reduction in redness by the next day. However, the time it takes for the redness to completely disappear varies from person to person.Approximately 2-3 daysPlease use this as a guide.
With diamond tip (non-injectable type), there is virtually no downtime, and you can return to your daily life immediately after the procedure. The length of downtime varies depending on the type of tip used.
*Results may vary from person to person. They also depend on the treatment area, the type of tip used, and the power settings.
Downtime timeline
This is a guideline for the typical course of treatment after receiving the needle-type Potenza injection.
| season | Skin condition | Recommended Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Immediately after treatment | Severe redness, heat, and stinging | Stay indoors and make sure to keep your skin cool and moisturized. |
| That night | Redness and stinging may remain. | Showers are OK / Long baths, exercise, and drinking alcohol are NOT OK |
| next day | The redness has been significantly reduced. | Makeup is allowed / Sunscreen must be used |
| 2-3 days later | The redness on the surface has almost completely disappeared. | Continue thorough moisturizing. |
| 1 weeks later | Both the surface and the interior are stable. | This can serve as a benchmark for considering other cosmetic procedures. |
*The above is a general guideline. Individual results may vary, and the outcome may also differ depending on the output settings and the chip used.
Things that are OK and NOT OK from day one [Q&A]
Below, we've compiled some frequently asked questions in a Q&A format. Please use this as a reference for how to spend your time from today to the next day.
Is it okay to wash my face and take a bath?
When can I start wearing makeup?
What about exercise, drinking alcohol, and taking half-body baths?
The OK and NOT OK actions for the day can be summarized as follows:
| action | On the day of treatment | After the next day |
|---|---|---|
| Face wash | OK | OK |
| Shower | OK | OK |
| Long baths, half-body baths, saunas | NG | OK |
| Intense exercise | NG | OK |
| Drinking | NG | OK |
| make | NG | OK |
| Sunscreen | OK (recommended) | Required |
What skincare ingredients should you avoid using?
Specifically, the products handled at our hospitalProducts like Luxe Retino Parfait and Retino Advance from At. (AT),elseTretinoinThis includes retinol-based products such as those listed above. While these ingredients are normally beneficial for beautiful skin, they are too irritating for skin immediately after Potenza treatment, so please avoid using them.
- OK: Gentle moisturizing, cooling with a soothing pack.
- Not recommended: Retinol-based products, tretinoin
- From the next day onward, be sure to use sunscreen.
Regarding combining this treatment with other cosmetic procedures
The redness will almost completely subside in 2-3 days, but the skin's internal regeneration process is continuing. If you are considering other treatments,Leave a gap of about a week to be on the safe side.I recommend that.
Signs that you should contact us early | Risk Management
To ensure the Potenza is effective, the radio frequency (RF) output may be set slightly higher. Because the output is increased, in rare cases...Risk of burnsIt's not zero either.
- The intense burning and pain continued into the next day.
- Blister formation
- The redness and swelling are getting progressively worse.
*If you have any concerns about your recovery after the procedure, regardless of the severity of your symptoms, please contact the clinic first.
Treatment frequency and guidelines for evaluating effectiveness
While many people experience noticeable changes after just one Potenza treatment, for issues like acne scars and enlarged pores that require collagen reconstruction, the changes will be more gradual with each subsequent treatment. It's important not to judge the effectiveness after just one session; continuing the treatment is key to increasing satisfaction.
Summary
- Immediately after the procedure, you may experience severe redness and stinging. Most of this will subside by the next day, and it will take approximately 2-3 days for the area to completely heal.
- On the day of the procedure: Washing your face and showering are OK / Long baths, exercise, drinking alcohol, and half-body baths are not allowed / Makeup can be applied from the next day.
- Skincare on the day of the treatment should focus on "cooling" and "moisturizing." Avoid retinol-based ingredients.
- It's safest to wait about a week before combining this treatment with other cosmetic procedures.
- If the stinging sensation persists or blisters form, contact the clinic immediately.
- Treatment frequency is at least every two weeks, but generally once a month. We'll assess the effectiveness after three sessions.
Potenza is a treatment where the speed of skin recovery and the final result depend on how you manage the downtime."Avoid cooling, moisturizing, and irritation."By following these three points, you can maximize the effectiveness of the treatment. If you have any concerns about your recovery after the procedure, please feel free to contact the clinic at any time.
*This article is based on the content of our clinic's YouTube videos and was created under the supervision of a physician. Individual results and perceived effects may vary. Please be sure to consult a physician regarding post-treatment symptoms and treatment plans.

