First Few Days. Continue cleansing and moisturizing over the next few days. Once the sloughing starts, please allow your skin to heal and DO NOT scrub, rub, or use exfoliants. Keep clothing away from treated body parts as much as possible to avoid irritation.
Following your first night, you should continue the cold compress soaks with gauze 4 times daily, followed by Aquaphor, Alastin Skin Nectar, or one of the other ointments I recommended. It is imperative that you do not let your treated skin dry out.
DO NOT undergo waxing, micro-dermabrasion, exfoliations or light peels over the area for 3 months from the day of treatment. Avoid sun exposure or tanning for at least 4 weeks after treatment. Once your skin has healed and you have followed up with doctor and been given the go ahead, you may begin to wear makeup.
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.
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.
Your skin may be dry with peeling five to seven days after laser skin resurfacing. You may wash your face 2-5 times a day using saline solution or dilute vinegar solution, depending on a dermatologist's recommendation. Sleep on an extra pillow during the first four nights after the procedure.
Day 3-6 – Exfolitaion Phase (Aquaphor® no longer needed): at least 3 times a day - cleanse with Cetaphil, soak with diluted vinegar solution, then apply a thin layer of Medical Barrier Cream. Exfoliation/ shedding will be completed during this phase – don't pick!
Drugstore brands such as CeraVe, Cetaphil, Eucerin, and Neutrogena make gentle, hydrating moisturizers that can be used after laser treatments.
Sunscreen and post-laser hyperpigmentation
Photoprotection is crucial in the successful management of post-laser hyperpigmentation, PIH, and especially melasma. Both UVB and UVA rays can stimulate melanin production by melanocytes, which is why it is important to seek broad-spectrum sunscreens for adequate protection.
A typical result is an 8-10 year reduction in age appearance when laser treatment on the face is done on a highly effective setting so that a 55 year old may look 46 after treatment and healing is complete. Milder treatments can be done, but are not as effective.
The perfect product to slowly introduce into your routine three to five days after your laser treatment is SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. This serum has been tested and deemed suitable for use post-laser.
Disadvantages of CO2 Resurfacing
Like dermabrasion, this type of laser resurfacing requires a good deal of recovery time. The patient's skin will be weepy for two weeks and will require thorough cleaning four to five times daily, along with application of ointment to keep the skin from scabbing.
Use cold compresses: Applying cold compresses during the first 24 to 48 hours after your treatment can help reduce swelling and discomfort. Stay cool: Avoid hot showers, saunas, and strenuous exercise for the first few days after treatment. Heat can increase inflammation and slow healing.
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. 1 – 2 days after treatment: The treated skin will still look red and swollen but gradually less than on the first day.
Ways to Speed Healing:
Soak the treated skin with a plain white vinegar solution at least 4 to 8 times each day. You can't soak too much. Soaking reduces redness and speeds healing! Do not pick, rub, scrub, or irritate your skin while it is healing.
Hyaluronic acids: you can recommence 3- 10 days post procedure.
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 helps alleviate the heat sensation. You may also cleanse your face with a mild cleanser.
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.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, high-sodium foods, high sugar foods, Niacin supplements, refined carbohydrates, and spicy foods for 48 hours after treatment.
Thicker creams or occlusive products may trap heat and block proper healing. Dr. Soni recommends gentle, water-based lotions that absorb quickly. Reputable brands like Cetaphil, CeraVe, and Vanicream offer options specifically for sensitive post-procedure skin.
After cleansing your face in the morning, apply sunscreen. You may also switch to a lighter moisturizer such as Cetaphil or Cerave Cream. The first two weeks, apply sunscreen at least three to four times a day. Afterward, daily use for at least three months is required.
The application of topical L-ascorbic acid in an aqueous formulation resulted in a significant decrease in post-CO 2 laser resurfacing erythema by the eighth postoperative week when compared with laser-irradiated skin that had not received topical vitamin C.
If you plan on using it all over the face it is best to use Aquaphor at night. This is a process called slugging, it helps lock in the products and promotes their benefits. Other ways to use Aquaphor include on the eyelashes and eyebrows, it can strengthen both and help them look shinier and healthier.
Yes, the CO2 laser is renowned for its ability to tighten jowls and rejuvenate the lower face. By enhancing collagen production and boosting elasticity, the treatment reduces skin laxity along the jawline, helping to lift and sculpt a more contoured appearance.
DAY OF AND DAY AFTER LASER SKIN RESURFACING PROCEDURE
Sleep on your back with your head elevated about 30-40 degrees (2-3 pillows).