Stem Cell Checklist

A stem cell therapy checklist covers 3 distinct phases: pre-treatment preparation starting 7-14 days before your appointment, day-of essentials including identification and medical records, and a structured aftercare timeline spanning 4-12 weeks. Autologous blood therapy requires fasting for 4-6 hours beforehand and avoiding blood-thinning medications for 7 days prior to ensure optimal platelet concentration and growth factor yield.
Stem Cell Checklist

Pre-Treatment Checklist: 7-14 Days Before

Preparation for stem cell therapy begins well before the treatment day. Stop all blood-thinning medications and supplements 7 days prior, including aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, and vitamin E. These substances reduce platelet function and directly lower the concentration of growth factors extracted during autologous blood processing. Inform your practitioner about all current medications, including herbal supplements, at least 10 days before treatment.

Hydration is critical for blood quality. Increase water intake to 2-3 liters daily for the 5 days preceding your appointment. Adequate hydration improves blood draw efficiency and platelet yield by up to 15%. Avoid alcohol for at least 72 hours before treatment, as it dehydrates tissue and impairs the body's natural healing response. Schedule a blood panel if your practitioner requires baseline lab values.

Skin Preparation

Discontinue retinoids (tretinoin, adapalene) 5-7 days before facial stem cell treatments. Stop chemical exfoliants containing AHA/BHA 3 days prior. Avoid sun exposure and tanning beds for 14 days preceding treatment, as UV-damaged skin shows reduced response to growth factor signaling. Arrive with clean, product-free skin on the treatment day.

Day-of Appointment Checklist

Fast for 4-6 hours before your appointment if receiving autologous blood therapy. Bring valid photo identification, your passport for international patients, and any medical records relevant to your treatment history. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing with sleeves that roll above the elbow, as blood is typically drawn from the antecubital vein in the inner arm.

Arrive 15-20 minutes early to complete intake paperwork and consent forms. The total appointment duration ranges from 60 to 120 minutes depending on the protocol selected. The Ever Youth single-session program takes approximately 90 minutes, while multi-area treatments may extend to 2 hours. Plan transportation accordingly, as mild lightheadedness from the blood draw is possible in the first 30 minutes post-treatment.

During Treatment: What to Expect

The blood draw takes 5-10 minutes, collecting 20-60ml depending on the protocol. Processing via centrifugation requires approximately 20 minutes, during which the practitioner prepares the target treatment area. For facial applications, topical numbing cream is applied 20-30 minutes before injection. Scalp treatments may use nerve block anesthesia for deeper comfort during the 30-45 minute injection phase.

Injection techniques vary by treatment area. Facial stem cell therapy uses a combination of micro-injection with 30-gauge needles at 1-2mm intervals and microneedling delivery for broader surface coverage. The Eternal Booster ampoule is mixed with the concentrated blood product immediately before injection to maintain maximum bioactivity. Patients report mild pressure and occasional stinging during the injection phase, rated 3-4 out of 10 on the pain scale.

Immediate Aftercare Checklist: First 72 Hours

Apply prescribed antibiotic ointment to injection sites for 24 hours. Avoid touching, rubbing, or washing the treated area for 6-8 hours post-treatment. Redness and mild swelling peak at 24-48 hours and resolve within 72 hours in 90% of patients. Sleep with your head elevated on 2 pillows for the first 2 nights to minimize facial swelling if the treatment area was the face.

Activities to Avoid

No strenuous exercise for 48 hours. Avoid saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs for 7 days. Do not apply makeup to treated facial areas for 12-24 hours. Skip swimming pools and ocean water for 5 days to prevent infection at injection sites. Alcohol consumption should be avoided for 48 hours post-treatment, as it promotes inflammation and delays the regenerative signaling cascade initiated by the growth factors.

Long-Term Care Plan: Weeks 1-12

Week 1-2: Initial healing phase. Use gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and broad-spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen daily. Collagen synthesis begins at the cellular level but visible changes are not yet apparent. RE:BERRY Incheon Airport's Aesthetic Medicine Specialist Sung-Jun Cho recommends avoiding active skincare ingredients during this window to let regenerative processes proceed without interference.

Week 4-8: Results become visible as new collagen fibers mature and skin texture improves. A follow-up consultation at week 4 assesses treatment response and determines whether additional sessions are needed. Patients on multi-session protocols like the Eternal Youth program schedule their next appointment at 4-6 week intervals. By week 8-12, peak results are established, and a maintenance schedule of 1 session every 6-9 months preserves the regenerative gains achieved. Park SH et al. J Dermatolog Treat. 2022;33(6):2891-2898. doi:10.1080/09546634.2022.2071759

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the pre-treatment checklist?
7 key steps start 14 days before treatment: stop blood thinners and fish oil 7 days prior, discontinue retinoids 5 days out, increase hydration to 2-3 liters daily, avoid alcohol for 72 hours, stop chemical exfoliants 3 days before, avoid sun exposure for 14 days, and schedule any required blood panels with your practitioner.
What should I bring to my appointment?
5 essential items for your stem cell appointment: valid photo ID or passport, complete medication list including supplements, relevant medical records or prior blood work, comfortable clothing with sleeves that roll above the elbow, and a companion or arranged transportation home. International patients should also bring travel insurance documentation and emergency contact information.
What do I do immediately after Stem Cell?
3 critical actions in the first 24 hours: apply prescribed antibiotic ointment to all injection sites, avoid touching or washing the treated area for 6-8 hours, and sleep with your head elevated on 2 pillows. Redness peaks at 24-48 hours and resolves within 72 hours for 90% of patients. Skip makeup application for 12-24 hours minimum.
When is my follow-up?
4 weeks after treatment is the standard follow-up interval for stem cell therapy. This appointment assesses initial collagen response and skin texture changes. Multi-session protocols schedule the next treatment at 4-6 week intervals. The full Eternal Youth program spans approximately 16-24 weeks across 4 comprehensive sessions with progress evaluations at each visit.
What's the long-term care plan?
12 weeks marks the peak result timeline for stem cell therapy. Maintenance requires 1 session every 6-9 months to sustain regenerative benefits. Daily SPF 50 sunscreen is mandatory throughout the entire recovery and maintenance period. Retinoids can resume at week 2 post-treatment, and active skincare ingredients at week 3 to support ongoing collagen production.
How long does the stem cell appointment take?
90-120 minutes is the typical appointment duration for stem cell therapy. Blood draw requires 5-10 minutes, centrifugation processing takes 20 minutes, and numbing cream application needs 20-30 minutes. The injection phase itself lasts 30-45 minutes depending on treatment area size. Arrive 15-20 minutes early for intake paperwork and consent forms.
What medications should I stop before stem cell therapy?
7 days before treatment, stop aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, and any prescription blood thinners after consulting your prescribing physician. These substances reduce platelet function by 20-40%, directly lowering growth factor concentration in the extracted blood product. Continue all cardiac and essential medications unless your practitioner advises otherwise.

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