Apply a cool compress or a wrapped ice pack for 15 minutes every one to two hours as needed, during the first 24 to 48 hours. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly (or any occlusive moisturizer) or antibiotic ointment (such as bacitracin) to the area twice a day until the skin heals.
If you're wondering how can I speed up healing after CO2 or UltraClear laser treatments, the key is to follow your provider's instructions. 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.
Right After Treatment: Mitigate Swelling and Redness
Most people will experience some redness, swelling, or stinging on the face. An ice pack or cool wet cloth can be applied on the skin to relieve these side effects. An over-the-counter pain reliever can be useful to reduce swelling and alleviate more severe pain.
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.
Keep Your Skin Hydrated: Laser treatments can leave your skin feeling dry and sensitive. Apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer several times a day to replenish moisture and protect the skin's barrier. Apply Sunscreen: Your skin becomes especially sensitive to UV rays after laser treatment.
You can also stay hydrated by: Eating Water-Rich Foods: Fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, watermelon, and oranges are excellent for hydration. Using Hydrating Skincare Products: Incorporating a good moisturiser and hydrating serums into your post-treatment routine can help lock in moisture.
An ointment such as Vaseline® or moisturizing creams such as Eucerin®, or Aquaphor® are then applied. The purpose of using ointments or creams is to prevent any scab formation. In general, the areas heal in five to 21 days, depending on the nature of the condition that was treated and type of laser used.
Immediate Care Tips for Post-Laser Recovery
Keep It Cool: Use cool compresses to soothe the skin. Apply gently to reduce swelling and discomfort. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and Moisturize: Hydration is key to skin recovery. Use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer to help maintain moisture balance.
Individuals up to their 50s benefit greatly from laser fractional resurfacing treatments. Skin concerns like sun damage and deeper wrinkles are common in this age group.
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.
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.
The Healing Process after Laser Treatment
As the skin heals, new collagen is produced, resulting in smoother, more youthful-looking skin. The healing process after laser treatment typically occurs in three stages: inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, high-sodium foods, high sugar foods, Niacin supplements, refined carbohydrates, and spicy foods for 48 hours after treatment.
The short answer is Yes. The treated area may experience some reddening and swelling. After treatment, you can apply Vaseline, after-sun cream, or aloe Vera gel to the treated area for soothing skin. The area might need to be soothed by applying an ice pack when you use old laser technology.
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.
The best way to help speed up shedding after your laser hair removal treatment is by gentle exfoliation once or twice a week once you start to see signs of your hair starting to shed.
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.
Laser resurfacing can lead to a bacterial, viral or fungal infection. The most common infection is a flare-up of the herpes virus — the virus that causes cold sores. Changes in skin color. Laser resurfacing can cause treated skin to become darker or lighter than it was before treatment.
Generally, pigmentation from laser treatments typically starts fading within 7 to 14 days. However, it may take several weeks or even months for complete fading, particularly in darker skin tones. Proper post-treatment care and sun protection are crucial in helping to speed up the process.
During this stage, look for lotions that focus on moisturizing the skin rather than products that actively fight wrinkles. A lotion with hyaluronic acid is often ideal during this period.
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.
It's beneficial to use aloe vera gel on affected areas after laser treatment as it can help keep swelling and redness to a minimum. You might find that your skin is tender after laser treatment, but aloe vera can help reduce this. It helps keep the skin moisturised, which also helps to speed up the healing process.
In the days after treatment:
Cleanse the treated area with Vanicream Gentle Cleanser, which is free of irritants like fragrance and preservatives. Moisturize the treated area with Epionce Medical Barrier Cream.
Let your skin breathe
We recommend that you don't overly stress healing skin with perfumed skin creams and oils, or apply heavy face or skin makeup for about one week. The aim is to not clog your skin pores, which might cause irritation. Give laser-treated skin these first few days to breathe and heal.