- Try laser soaks or a vinegar wash
- Use mild products and avoid harsh ingredients
- Follow doctor’s orders
- Don’t touch or pick your skin
- Avoid heat and alcohol
- Try exosomes
- Moisturize
- Don't leave the house without sun protection
- Try oxygen or red light therapy
- Exfoliate a couple of weeks after the treatment
- Be diligent with your post-laser balm application
- Apply a cold compresses
- Tips for Dealing with Common Post-Laser Issues
Skin that has been lasered is sensitive, easily irritated and compromised. Taking care of your skin properly post-laser treatment can make a significant difference in both the results and your comfort. San Jose, CA plastic surgeon Kirk Churukian, MD says post-operative care following some lasers, such as a fractional CO2 laser resurfacing, “is the same as treating a superficial burn.” If you follow the advice from these experts, you’ll find that your skin is bound to heal faster and with better results.
Try laser soaks or a vinegar wash
Your doctor should instruct you on how to dilute vinegar with water and use it to help heal your skin. Irvine, CA plastic surgeon Andrew Smith, MD suggests you have this wash mixed and refrigerated in a squeeze bottle before you go in for the treatment so that when you return, it’s cold and ready to go. Dr. Churukian says using this wash will help minimize “crusting as well as limit bacterial infection of the face.”
Similarly, board-certified Palo Alto, CA facial plastic surgeon Dr. Steven Curti recommends patients perform four to five daily laser soaks. “These involve placing gauze soaked in a solution of distilled water or saline mixed with diluted vinegar onto the skin for 10 to 15 minutes. The mild acidity of the vinegar helps gently sterilize the skin while loosening and removing peeling layers,” he explains. “Between soaks, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to maintain moisture and protect the healing barrier.”
Use mild products and avoid harsh ingredients
Washing the skin with cleansers that are harsh and stripping, like those that are acid-based or exfoliating, can actually damage your recently lasered skin. “During the first week after laser skin resurfacing, it’s crucial to stick to very mild, supportive skin care. Use only a gentle facial cleanser, a barrier-repairing moisturizer and a mineral-based SPF to protect the healing skin,” says Dr. Curti. He advises skipping anything that could irritate or strip the skin and instead opting for ingredients that can help restore the skin barrier and speed up recovery.
Board-certified New York dermatologist Marina Peredo, MD recommends pausing the use of products with retinol, glycolic acid or salicylic acid until the skin is healed. Instead, grab products with bland ingredients and no fragrance or preservatives, suggests Dr. Munavalli. Dr. Smith recommends Aquanil Cleanser ($23), which he describes as more of a mild soap and less of a cleanser, so it won’t dry out the epidermis.
Follow doctor’s orders
“We strongly emphasize to our patients to never freelance skin care post-laser treatment, especially post-laser resurfacing,” says board-certified Charlotte, NC board-certified dermatologist Gilly Munavalli, MD. “There are so many cosmeceutical and OTC products available, it’s easy for them to get confused.” To prevent this, he gives patients exactly what they need to use along with specific instructions. If your doctor doesn’t outline an aftercare routine, ask them for recommendations.
Dr. Peredo says it’s “best is to follow recommendations of the physician or laser tech who is performing your laser procedure.” In her practice she tends to recommend very specific products for her patients, depending on the laser and type of treatment to “ensure fast recovery and optimal results.” She notes that she often recommends Skinfluence recovery serum ($100) or cream ($100) to focus on DNA repair.
Don’t touch or pick your skin
It might seem obvious, but it’s worth emphasizing. Dr. Peredo urges patients to “avoid touching, scratching or picking at the skin as it can cause infection post-laser. “Picking or scrubbing at peeling skin can lead to scarring and should be strictly avoided,” adds Dr. Curti.
Avoid heat and alcohol
Dr. Peredo advises avoiding hot showers, strenuous workouts and saunas too soon after your laser treatment. Dr. Curti explains that hot water and steam can increase both inflammation and discomfort. Additionally “Alcohol and smoking are both pro-inflammatory and can interfere with the healing process,” says Dr. Curti, so it’s best to skip these activities while your skin heals.
Try exosomes
Exosomes are the new frontier in skin care. Ask your doctor if they utilize them in office or recommend any products for home. “Recently, topical exosome-based products have shown promising results in enhancing healing and boosting the overall outcome of the treatment,” says Dr. Curti. For example, Dr. Munavalli uses BENEV Exosomes topically, immediately after resurfacing, and then has patients continue with Plated topical exosomes ($258) at home to help reduce inflammation and erythema.
Moisturize
Maintaining moisture in your skin is crucial after a laser treatment. “Adequate moisture maintained by lotions or non-fragranced moisturizers can speed skin recovery and cell turnover,” says board-certified New York plastic surgeon William Lao, MD. “Lasers are actually controlled burns, and our tissues heal better and faster actually in a slightly moisturized environment.”
Dr. Peredo recommends gentle moisturizers that contain hyaluronic acid or ceramides. Board-certified Colleyville, TX facial plastic surgeon Yadro Ducic, MD, says, “Simple products like Aquaphor ($14) and various other occlusive moisturizers are all adequate.” A lack of moisture post-treatment can cause the skin to scab and may even delay (and in some cases compromise) the healing process.
Don’t leave the house without sun protection
Sun exposure is the most critical thing to avoid post-laser treatment as healing skin is highly sensitive, especially the first two weeks, says Dr. Curti. Dr. Lao advises avoiding the sun as much as possible with physical blockage such as hats and sunscreen “to decrease UV absorption, which in turn decreases the chance of PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) and scar darkening.” Dr. Smith also stresses the importance of wearing sunscreen after a laser treatment, and recommends EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 46 ($44).
Dr. Churukian says the skin remains “sun-sensitive” for six months after treatment. However, he encourages patients to use sunscreen well beyond that. “Continued use of sunscreen will help protect the investment you have made in the beauty and health of your skin!”
Try oxygen or red light therapy
Dr. Curti says he often recommends a “hyperbaric oxygen dive and/or a red light panel post-laser to reduce inflammation and speed up recovery.”
Exfoliate a couple of weeks after the treatment
“Two weeks after the laser, patients are ready for manual skin exfoliation,” says Torrance, CA, plastic surgeon Linda Swanson, MD. “I find that dermaplaning works well to help get all the additional transitional skin off and create a non-flaky appearance.”
Be diligent with your post-laser balm application
Dr. Smith says patients are often given a balm to use following laser treatment. He suggests that patients use it as directed by their doctor for two to three weeks. He notes that after those few weeks are up, patients should move on to a less greasy product—for this, he recommends Vanicream ($17). Dr. Churukian says, “providing a barrier against fluid loss as well as bacterial and fungal infection” is essential to healing. He says he applies a thick layer of Jan Marini BioShield ($143) immediately after the treatment and asks that patients keep this up during recovery.
Apply a cold compresses
If your skin is red and swollen after you’ve been treated, make sure to apply cold compresses and ice packs to the area, as this will help mitigate some of the inflammation. Sleeping in an elevated position with an extra pillow or two can help, too.
Tips for Dealing with Common Post-Laser Issues
Laser treatments can cause temporary side effects like bleeding, swelling and bruising. Here’s how to handle these issues.
Caring for Your Skin if Bleeding Occurs
Minor bleeding can occur post-treatment. If this happens, use sterile gauze to apply gentle pressure until the bleeding stops. If it persists, contact your doctor.
Caring for Your Skin if Swelling Occurs
Apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. Sleeping with your head elevated can also help.
Caring for Your Skin if Bruising Occurs
Bruising can occur depending on the type of laser treatment. If bruising appears, use arnica-based creams or follow your doctor’s instructions for care. If bruising is severe or doesn’t improve, consult your dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
By following these expert tips and maintaining a gentle skin-care routine, you can help ensure a smooth recovery and achieve the best possible results from your laser treatment.
