Are you on a course of whitening injections and missed one of your appointments? Well, the first thing to understand is that you don’t need to panic. If you miss an appointment, this does not mean that your prior sessions were a waste of time or that you have to start the whole course again.
Whitening injections are typically scheduled as a series of treatments and not a one-off appointment so the interval between each session may be part of the overall treatment strategy. The next step if you miss a scheduled appointment depends on how long it has been, why the session was missed and the time frame originally suggested by your dermatologist.
Read this guide to learn more about what happens when you miss a whitening injection session.
Will One Missed Session Ruin Your Results?
Missing one whitening injection session does not mean all of your previous treatment progress is lost. Usually skin-brightening treatments are evaluated over time and not by one session. However, the timing of sessions can be important, as your dermatologist may have structured the treatment plan around your specific objectives. If the gap is longer than planned, it might simply be that the initial schedule needs to be tweaked.
It is also essential to remember that skin complexion changes are gradual. Between visits, your skin can naturally be affected over time by sunlight, pigmentation, hormonal shifts, skincare habits and other factors. So, a missed session should be considered as a scheduling problem and not a failure of the treatment.
Can You Get Two Sessions Close Together?
This is usually not recommended. You should not double up or book two unusually close together to make up for a missed appointment unless your doctor advises you to do so. It may be appealing to assume that getting your next injection sooner will help you get back to your regular schedule faster, but the healthcare professional who manages your care should set up treatment intervals. And you could get treatment outside the plan you were selected for by changing the timing yourself. If you’ve missed an appointment just call the clinic and ask when you should arrange your next session. Your provider may decide to keep the same interval, change the schedule or do something else depending on your situation.
How Long Should You Wait Before Rescheduling?
There isn’t a single number of days that works for everyone. The correct time frame will depend on the type of whitening injection you are getting, the treatment procedure, previous sessions and your dermatologist’s guidelines. If you know you cannot keep your appointment, please call your clinic as soon as possible; do not wait until the original scheduled time has passed. This allows the clinic to advise you on the next appropriate step. If you have missed an appointment, avoid assuming that you have to start the whole course again. Let your dermatologist know when your last session was and when you had originally planned to return. Then they will be able to decide if you can just pick up where you left off.
What Should You Do Before Your Next Session?
Once you have scheduled another appointment, concentrate on keeping your skin in good condition. Don’t try to hasten the process by yourself. Continue with the skincare regimen your dermatologist has given you and avoid any unnecessary treatments right before your appointment. Sun protection is extremely important daily as UV rays can cause dark spots and make it hard to keep an even complexion. A mild skincare routine may additionally help prevent unnecessary irritation.
Report any new skin problems, medications, or reactions to your practitioner prior to your next appointment. These details could impact if the treatment should go on as planned. Your upcoming appointment is also a good time to mention any changes you’ve noticed since your last appointment, like improvement, new discoloration, sensitivity, etc.
When Should You Talk to Your Dermatologist Before Rescheduling
If you experienced an unusual reaction after your previous whitening injection, do not simply book the next appointment without mentioning it. Inform your dermatologist about the events that have taken place, the time of the events and whether symptoms have improved or not. Your doctor will decide if treatment should be continued, deferred or reviewed. It is also good to consult with the clinic if you have been absent on several visits and need to catch up.