Strenuous activities: Sweating can irritate treated skin, so we ask that you avoid activities or exercise that cause excessive sweating for at least 48 hours post-treatment. Harsh skincare products: Avoid using exfoliants, retinoids, or products containing alcohol for at least one week post-treatment.
Use Gentle Cleansers: Wash your face with mild, non-abrasive cleansers that won't strip your skin or cause irritation. Avoid products with harsh chemicals or fragrances during the healing phase. Avoid Picking or Scrubbing: It's crucial to let your skin heal naturally.
Clean the treated areas two to five times a day with saline or a diluted vinegar solution as directed by your plastic surgeon. Apply protective skin care treatments that are recommended by your doctor to help your skin heal.
Recovery time with CO2 laser resurfacing is up to two weeks. Erbium laser resurfacing is designed to remove superficial and moderately deep lines and wrinkles on your face and should require only local anesthetic.
Actions To Avoid Following Laser Resurfacing
Do not use active ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, or retinol. Also, avoid direct sunlight or UV rays while your skin is healing.
After that, you just have to wait until the next morning (at least 12 hours after) to wash your 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.
Ablative laser treatments can achieve dramatic results, and most patients are satisfied after a single treatment. Ablative treatments work fast but have traditionally come with a long recovery time.
Months 2-6. The magic of collagen rebuilding becomes more apparent in the months following the procedure. Patients often observe a tighter and smoother skin texture as the newly stimulated collagen continues to develop. The skin feels rejuvenated, and the results become increasingly noticeable.
Laser resurfacing can cause treated skin to become darker or lighter than it was before treatment. This is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation when the skin darkens and postinflammatory hypopigmentation when the skin loses color. People with brown or Black skin have a higher risk of long-term skin color changes.
Ablative lasers are best for individuals with significant skin damage or aging concerns who are looking for substantial improvements. However, because they are more aggressive, they come with longer recovery times and a higher risk of side effects like redness, swelling, and scarring.
Do not apply make-up over the treated skin for at least 10 days. About 30% of laser patients will experience hyperpigmentation after skin resurfacing. This usually occurs about 4 weeks after the procedure.
Proper skincare also includes the application of moisturizer, like Vaseline, or another approved product, for several days. This speeds up the healing process and prevents the appearance of scabs. Using a gentle cleanser in the shower aids with recovery by helping remove excess moisturizer.
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.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, high-sodium foods, high sugar foods, Niacin supplements, refined carbohydrates, and spicy foods for 48 hours after treatment.
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.
After your laser peel, you'll want to wait about 12 hours before washing your face. When you wash your face, use the gentlest cleanser you can find. Avoid anything with enzymatic acids, exfoliants, retinol, or other anti-aging ingredients. Rinse with warm water (not hot) and pat dry.
Your skin generally needs about four weeks between laser treatments to recover for the next session. With the sensitive nature of laser skin resurfacing, you should select a reputable facility and highly experienced provider to perform laser surfacing treatments.
Laser resurfacing helps reduce the appearance of acne scars; however, it is not for clients who still have active acne. Patients who have very dark skin, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take specific medications like Accutane may not be viable candidates for laser resurfacing.
After your first session, you'll notice an immediate reduction in hair growth on the treated area. The laser technology targets hair follicles, effectively disrupting their ability to grow new strands. This is excellent news for those who are tired of the constant cycle of shaving and waxing.
Harsh skincare products: Avoid using exfoliants, retinoids, or products containing alcohol for at least one week post-treatment. These products can be irritating and slow down the healing process.
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.
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.