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Skin Care After Laser Resurfacing?

asked 4 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Lana Long, MD
Question viewed 18,439 times
Tags: aftercare, recovery, skin, skin care

seems like the laser resurfacing will be tough on my skin. what should I do?

15 answers to Skin Care After Laser Resurfacing?

Best skin care after laser resurfacing is cleansing and moisturization

Good skin care after laser resurfacing is essentail to ensure a good result and avoid complications. Most complications following laser resurfacing are caused by failure to properly take care of the skin after laser resurfacing. There are three essential components of post laser resurfacing skin care: The skin must be kept moist with topical cream or ointment The skin must be kept clean, all secretions and skin debris removed Sun block and prevention is essential for the new... more

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

Skin Care After Laser Resurfacing

Hello, The skin care for laser resurfacing begins even before the procedure is performed. This consists of sun avoidance 3-4 weeks before and some pre conditioning with Retin A and Hydroquinone creams. These creams are then stopped 5 days prior to the procedure. Immediately after the procedure, a thin layer of petroleum ointment such as Aquaphor should be applied for approximately 5-7 days. Also during this period, it helps to keep the skin wet with frequent showers and soaking with wet... more

Louis M. DeJoseph, MD
Atlanta Facial Plastic Surgeon

Skin care after laser

There are 2 answers to this question. In the immediate post operative period, Most physicians have a regimen involving hydration of the skin by frequently splashing with water and a laser ointment to keep the skin hydrated and soft, A SPF 60 or higher sunscreen is essential to "protect your investment" and insure long term results. We use antioxidant with vitamin C and Green Tea to repair sun damaged DNA and an exfoliant such as Glycolic acid or a Retinoid to maintain smoothness... more

Michael Tomcik, MD
San Ramon Dermatologist

Skin care after laser resurfacing

After laser resurfacing, you should follow the immediate post- procedure protocol as recommended by your physician which typically consists of products the hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin while it is healing. Skin care beyond the immediate post- op period should focus on sun protection and products that promote collagen production like topical vitamin c and topical products that contain growth factors.

Elizabeth F. Rostan, MD
Charlotte Dermatologist

Skin care after laser resurfacing extremely important

While there are different types of laser resurfacing, some more aggressive than others, they all require good skin care following the treatments to avoid complications and ensure optimal results. The two most important parts of good skin care following laser resurfacing are emolliation and sun avoidance/sun protection. We recommend intense emolliation to the treated areas for the first week after the treatment with either aquaphor or vaseline ointment several times a day. We also prefer... more

Channing R. Barnett, MD
New York Dermatologist

Skin care regimen after laser resurfacing critical

You must protect your investment after laser resurfacing by minimizing complication and to maximize and maintain cosmetic enhancements achieved. Daily sun protection goes without saying to minimize post-treatment pigmentation and/or redness. Seek consultation from a board-certified dermatologist who is experienced with your specific skin type in the context of laser resurfacing. Your doctor may recommend a combination of vitamin C serum and/or topical retinoid to maximize longevity of your... more

William Ting, MD
Bay Area Dermatologic Surgeon

www.DrWilliamTing.com

Skin care after laser resurfacing

It is more important that ever after laser resurfacing to protect your skin from sun exposure daily, all year round. Immediately after your treatment I place you on a regimen to gently cleanse your skin, keep your skin hydrated and UV protected. After about a week or two, I adjust your skin care for your skin's need to include an appropriate cleanser, a targeted treatment serum or cream, moisturizer for daytime and evening, as well as a sunscreen. After your treatment it is prudent to have... more

Anifat Balogun, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Skin Care After Laser is Very Important

Laser Resurfacing provides patients with wonderful results, however the first 2-3 weeks of healing are crucial for obtaining the best results. These first two weeks are when the skin regenerates or rebuilds itself and any problems that occur may cause the normal healing process to go wrong. It is important to avoid sun, to prevent infection and to allow the skin to heal in a controlled and problem free environment. The basic routine is to take antibiotics and antivirals to prevent... more

Edgar Franklin Fincher, MD, PhD
Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

Skin care after laser resurfacing is very important to enhance the result

Skin care after laser resurfacing is very important to enhance the result. It is very important to be on a regimen of skin care prior to laser resurfacing which should include retin a products, glycolic acid products and vitamin c. These products will help to promote healing after the laser treatment as well as enhance the cosmetic results of the laser resurfacing procedure itself. Furthermore, once you have undergone the procedure, it is equally important to stay on those same products... more

Scott Trimas, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Sun protection and lubrication are esssential

The two most important precautions after CO2 laser resurfacing are sun protection and lubrication. In terms of sun protection, you should treat your skin as if it were a baby's skin: no sun exposure for the first 6 months and always wear a hat,sunglasses, and sun block every day. Regarding lubrication, the skin should be kept moist until after the old skin sheds and the new skin grows in. I recommend a thin coat of simple petroleum jelly like Vasline.

Jonathan Hoenig, MD
Beverly Hills Oculoplastic Surgeon

Skin care after resurfacing

Immediately after resurfacing, I use Vaseline or Aquaphor to keep the skin moist. After 2 days, I will ususally switch to a light 1% hydrocortisone lotion to help decrease redness, and have the patient use for the next 5 days until skin has re-epithelialized. It is also very important to use a product with a sunscreen of SPF 30 or greater to avoid hyperpigmentation. I also place all patients on an oral antibiotic and antiviral agent immediately post procedure to... more

Lana Long, MD
Cincinnati Dermatologic Surgeon

Classic Resurfacing or Fractional Resurfacing will determine your healing time and wound care

Depending on whether you have classic resurfacing or fractional resurfacing will determine your healing time and wound care. Your provider should give you all the information for the after care of the treatment. If they do not know what to do after your treatment, find another provider.

Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD
San Francisco Dermatologic Surgeon

www.elitemdspa.com

Skin Care after Laser Resurfacing

A good skin care regime should be started before your laser and continue after your procedure. I have a full time aesthetician in my office who individualizes the care of each patient. Each patients skin care requirements differ immensely. One thing all patients have in common is the need of sunblock. Sun exposure should be limited in the post operative phase and following your skin care regime is crucial for proper healing and then maintenance.

Michael Elam, MD
Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

Skin Care After Laser

Skin care before and after laser resurfacing will depend on the type of laser treatment performed. A skin care regimine is definitely necessary not only to take care of the treated area but also to ensure that your investment is preserved over time.

D.J. Verret, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

Skin care after laser resurfacing depends on the type of laser used.

The type of laser determines the depth of injury to the skin (lasers are planned injuries to the skin) which in turn determines they type of skin care. In my office, we have the Pearl laser and the CO2 laser. The Pearl ablates the epidermis without creating any sores. Treatment is washing and moisturizing. The CO2 laser is much deeper. The patients have a 2nd degree burn that heals with an wound for several days. Very specific regimens are prescribed for skin care until healing is... more