How to Care for Skin Post-Laser Treatment

These are the dos and don’ts of caring for your skin after getting a laser treatment to ensure you’re maximizing the results of your treatment and even speeding up your healing time.

Getting a professional laser treatment at a dermatologist’s office is a surefire way to see results when it comes to your skin, whether your complexion goal is softening the appearance of wrinkles or getting rid of dark spots. But while most of the work and heavy lifting are taken care of by the dermatologist during your laser treatment, the work isn’t done when you step outside the clinic. There are steps you can take at home to make sure that you’re not only properly caring for your skin post-laser treatment but also making the most of your treatment by using products to enhance your results, maximize your treatment’s efficacy and even speed up your healing time.

Before we dive in, it’s important to highlight and understand the two types of laser treatments you can get: non-ablative laser and ablative laser. Ablative laser treatments are a good option for those with significant signs of aging, severe pigmentation and deep scarring. This is because ablative laser treatments are technically “tissue-destroying”—these lasers deliver an intense wavelength of light to the skin, removing the outer layer of damaged skin and causing new growth. While the process is intense, the results are significant. Non-ablative laser treatments are considered less invasive because they work by creating heat deep within the layers of the skin to stimulate the production of collagen, thus leaving the outermost layer intact. Non-ablative laser treatments are recommended for anyone who is looking to soften wrinkles and improve the appearance of minor scars and dark spots.

Now that you know the difference between the two, continue reading to learn how to care for your skin post-laser treatment, no matter which type you choose.

After any skin resurfacing treatment, the motto is “Less is more.” The focus of your post-laser skin resurfacing treatment should be to soothe and restore your skin, not begin any additional treatments.

Don’t skip the moisturizer.
Unsurprisingly, the most beneficial thing you can do post-laser skin resurfacing is keep your skin hydrated. Dryness will further aggravate temporarily sensitive and sensitized skin, and you definitely don’t want any tightness or tugging. Turn to a mega-hydrating cream like ​​SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2. The unique combination of cholesterol, fatty acids and ceramides will keep your skin happy and soothed as it recovers.

Go easy on the vitamin C.
Not one to skip a vitamin C application in the morning? If you went with the ablative laser skin resurfacing route, it’s best to steer clear of vitamin C until your skin has healed. However, after a non-ablative laser treatment, you should be able to return to your beloved vitamin C serum after a few days. Speak with your dermatologist to determine the best course of action for your unique skin type and treatment. But once you’re good to go, a well-balanced, clinically backed vitamin C serum like SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is the way to go, to ensure not only its efficacy but also its safety. Post-skin resurfacing treatment is not the time to take chances with your skincare routine, so stick to products that you know are safe, clinically tested and dermatologist approved.

Turn to soothing mists.
An ultra-soothing botanical mist like SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Essence Mist can help hydrate your skin while soothing any redness, dryness or irritation, thanks to its blend of boldus leaf, cucumber, thyme, olive leaf and rosemary extracts to calm skin plus hyaluronic acid and glycerine to draw water into the skin and retain moisture. And because this calming combo comes in the form of a mist, you won’t have to risk irritation if your skin feels sensitive to the touch.

Cleanse…gently.
Skip the harsh, abrasive cleansers and exfoliants loaded with active ingredients and opt instead for SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser, a cream cleanser that’s free of harsh ingredients. It washes away any impurities while leaving your complexion calm, hydrated and restored, thanks to a blend of allantoin, glycerine and orange oil.

Use SPF—always, but especially now.
You already know that you should be wearing sunscreen every single day, but after a laser skin resurfacing treatment, SPF is a non-negotiable. This is because your skin is particularly sensitive to the sun and at elevated risk for sunburn and damage from UV rays. So load up on SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 even before you leave the dermatologist’s office, and certainly continue using it daily after your skin resurfacing treatment.