Stay cool: Avoid hot showers, saunas, and strenuous exercise for the first few days after treatment. Heat can increase inflammation and slow healing. Eat a healthy diet: Your body needs nutrients to repair itself. Focus on foods rich in vitamins A and C, which are crucial for skin health.
For the first 2 to 3 days after your treatment:
Apply an ice pack wrapped in a soft cloth to the treated area. Hold the ice pack on the treated area for 15 to 20 minutes. Put the ice pack on the treated area every few hours, or 1 to 5 times each day. After the first 2 to 3 days, use the ice pack as needed.
You may take a pain reliever and use ice packs. New skin usually covers the area in 7 to 10 days. Full recovery takes at least a month. During this time, don't use products that may irritate your face, such as cosmetics.
Frequent but gentle face wash or shower can speed up the skin sloughing/healing process. For people who are prone to pigmentation such as those with prior history of melasma or of darker skin type, post-op application of combination of topical retinoid and/or hydroquinone cream would be critical.
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.
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.
Avoid applying makeup too soon. Like skincare products, cosmetics can irritate the skin after laser skin resurfacing. You should wait 2-3 weeks for the skin to recover, or you can consult a dermatologist for the proper use of cosmetics. Sunlight exposure is the most crucial thing to avoid after laser skin resurfacing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For the best results and to speed up the tattoo removal process, it's recommended to combine laser treatments with proper aftercare and lifestyle changes. Maintaining good skin hydration is crucial; well-hydrated skin heals faster and is more resilient, enhancing the effectiveness of each laser session.
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.
Once the immediate post-laser wounds are healed and most of the inflammation has been resolved, all laser patients must utilize antioxidants every morning, specifically SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic. When SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic is used after laser surgeries, the serum can: Speed healing. Reduce inflammation.
Be sure to use a gentle hydrating moisturizer to replenish lost moisture and soothe any discomfort or tightness you may feel. Look for products that are free from harsh chemicals or fragrances that could irritate your sensitive skin.
Starting 48-72 hours after your laser hair removal treatment, start exfoliating. Use a washcloth, puffy shower sponge, a loofah or an exfoliating shower wash to help the process along. Don't use anything very rough, like a gritty salt scrub though, because it is too rough, remember that your skin is still sensitive.
What Does Shedding Look Like After Laser Hair Removal? Shedding is exactly what it sounds like—you'll see small hair fragments or stubble falling out from the treated area. It might look like tiny, scattered hairs popping up on your skin's surface. Don't worry, this is temporary and will fade as your skin heals.
While the number of laser hair removal sessions for the face can vary significantly based on individual factors, on average, most people require between 4 to 6 sessions to achieve lasting results. These sessions are typically spaced out over several weeks to ensure that hair in all growth phases is effectively treated.
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.
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.