Gentle skin moisturizer can be used after Day 5 post-procedure. Patients should continue to use a gentle moisturizer day and night after the fourth day. Your doctor/technician will advise you when you can return to your normal skincare regime and to using active ingredients (usually 14 days).
Immediately After Treatment
Use a bland moisturizer (i.e. Cetaphil cream) or a very thin layer of petrolatum ointment (i.e. Aquaphor). Use petrolatum ointment to cover any area with oozing and keep moist. Use of icepacks help alleviate the heat sensation. You may also cleanse your face with a mild cleanser.
Straight after treatment, you can apply aloe vera as the main soother. Due to there being a lot of heat in the treated area, you don't want too much of an ointment, or anything too thick. After the initial 12-24 hours your skin should be calm enough to have any moisturiser.
General tips. Do not wear makeup on the treated area until it's completely healed. Avoid exposing the treated area to the sun until it's completely healed. If you need to be in the sun, use a mineral sunscreen of at least SPF 30 or wear clothing or a hat that protects the treated area from the sun.
Both are thick emollients that keep things moist. Once all the skin has peeled/ sloughed off, we usually recommend Cetaphil moisturizer as it is gentle and safe with added ingredients that would irritate the skin; we also like Elta MD moisturizer and Epionce medical barrier cream .
Gentle skin moisturizer can be used after Day 5 post-procedure.
Best Practices: Use gentle skincare products, hydrate, and avoid makeup for the first few days. Long-Term Care: Maintain results with sunscreen, a consistent skincare routine, and follow-up treatments if needed.
You can ensure a smoother recovery and better results by avoiding picking at treated skin, keeping healing skin moist and hydrated, using sunscreen, and using gentle skin products. Staying hydrated and eating healthy also promotes healthy skin renewal.
When can you go back to your own skin care routine post procedure? Retinol / retinoids (including prescription Accutane, Oratane, Adapalene, Tretinoin): 5-21 days post laser resurfacing. Start every second night, increase as tolerated. Hyaluronic acids: you can recommence 3- 10 days post procedure.
Finally, apply a thin coat of Vaseline to keep the area moist. You can repeat this procedure every 2 – 3 hours or less often, depending on how quickly crusts re-form.
Most moisturizer without alpha-hydroxy acids will work. You may also use aloe gel to relieve redness during the first 24 hours. Never use petroleum base “ointments” as they lock the heat in. You may apply deodorant after 24 hours.
After undergoing a full ablative laser skin resurfacing, it's crucial to give your makeup a rest for no less than 10 days. This pause is essential to sidestep any risk of infection while your skin is on its healing journey.
After a laser treatment, your skin is sensitive and needs extra attention. Avoid using scented or heavily fragranced lotions, as they can irritate your skin. Additionally, stay away from lotions with alcohol, glycolic acid, or other strong exfoliants that may cause discomfort or dryness.
For a long time, the belief was to steer clear of all active ingredients post-laser treatment. However, new studies suggest otherwise . One study found that after Fraxel laser, applying a topical vitamin C serum has been shown to reduce the injury of the skin's surface barrier and even help restore pH.
Sleep on an extra pillow during the first four nights after the procedure. Try not to bend forward or lower your head below the level of your heart. During the first 24 – 48 hours, apply cold compress for 15 minutes every 2 hours if the skin is red and swollen.
After the first 24 hours, please wash the treated areas with a gentle cleanser like Cetaphil to gently remove the Aquaphor or Alba Un-Petroleum Jelly. Always wash your hands thoroughly using antibacterial soap before touching the treated skin. Wash your face 3-6 times a day after the first 24 hours.
The immediate post laser treatment consists of covering the lasered skin with Vaseline (Aquaphor or whatever the specific product you are instructed to use) and using cold packs for discomfort and swelling. The best treatment to be comfortable is to apply cold compresses to the treated areas of the face.
Searching for over-the-counter products meant for dry, sensitive skin will be a good place to start finding the right moisturizer for you. Drugstore brands such as CeraVe, Cetaphil, Eucerin, and Neutrogena make gentle, hydrating moisturizers that can be used after laser treatments.
Full results can be seen 3-6 months after the initial treatment, once the skin has completely healed. How long do results from an CO2 laser last? Improvements from an CO2 laser treatment can be seen for many years after treatment.
Apply over-the-counter hydrocortisone 1% mixed with either Vaseline®, Aquaphor® or Aloe Vera gel, up to three times daily or as needed until resolved. Apply cold packs (wrapped in a barrier like a towel) to the affected area(s), taking them on and off every three to five minutes for one to two hours.
The best moisturizer on the market today for post treatment care is Oxygenetix Oxygenating Hydro-Matrix. Specifically designed to be used after laser procedures, Hydro-Matrix is safe for compromised skin up to a third degree burn.
Different skin types require specific cosmetic procedures. Fraxel lasers work well for sensitive or light skin, reducing the potential for dark spots and scarring. CO2 lasers are stronger and fit for oilier or thicker skin.
It's a good idea to steer clear of products that use retinol after laser treatments for at least a couple weeks. Particularly while your skin is still healing.