Post Active FX Regimen?
I had this procedure done a week ako, and my doctor insists on putting Vitamin C Serum on the face at least twice a day, beginning with the day of the procedure. He says it's the only way to heal the skin with proper result. I tried, but I found it painful and hardly did anything to improve my condition. What would be the usual recommended post-procedure regimen for Active FX?
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81 posts
13 Nov 2008
Your skin will communicate with you when it is time to use those type of products. The absorption of the Vitamin C is undoubtedly higher due to the tiny holes down to the dermis that the laser has made while the skin is healing. However there is little clinical benefit to this. The skin can only absorb about 20% Vitamin C (this is also dependant on the pH of the Vitamin C). It works just as well to start the Vitamin C 1-2 weeks after the procedure. We have patient use an occlusive topical such as Aquaphor or Silkses for about 5-7 days (until the epidermis heals over). This ointment keeps the skin from losing moisture and protects it from environmental irritants and infection. About day 2 or 3 we add Neocutis Bio-restorative cream. This cream is very non-irritating and is tolerated well by almost everyone. The product is from Switzerland and is made from cloned stem cells that help the skin repair faster. The product claims are very grand and I'm not sure it lives up to all of them but it does seem to decrease healing time a bit. Once you stop the occlusive ointment, good moisturizer like Cetaphil or SkinCeuticals should be started to keep skin from drying out. Aside from that, a good diet and physical sun-block (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) started after about day 5-7 are all you need. Also, know that redness over the areas of Deep FX normally last about 2-3 weeks.