Best Skin Aftercare Following Laser Resurfacing?

Generally, after laser treatments, the most important thing you can do for about a week is to make sure the skin stays moist. There are a whole variety of things to do that from Vaseline to more complicated creams. About a week after treatment it’s important to start up with topical agents that maintain and further improve the results from the laser treatment. At the top of the list are products that contain glycolic acid and growth factors.

As a general rule, after laser resurfacing the skin should be kept moist until healed. We use a special type of bandage for the first 24 hours called Vigilon and then after that an ointment called Aquaphor. But each doctor probably has a particular product or regimen that they prefer. By keeping the skin moist it heals twice as quickly as letting it dry out. Its an old wives' tale that you let the air get to a wound to speed healing; its just the opposite. After the skin is healed... more

My routine after a deep laser is: Elta cream (a Vaseline type ointment) applied immediately after the procedure, keep reapplying as it dries out until you first get in the shower Starting on day 2, the patient gets in the shower and gently washes the face (no soap) 4-6 times a day Reapply the Elta cream after each shower Keep this up until all the crusting, flaking and peeling is gone.  This usually takes 7-10 days following a deep Erbium treatment Once... more

Stay out of the sun before and after treatment plus appropriate skin protection. Use constant application of gentle moisturizers every couple of hours after treatments.

I think the best laser resurfacing results can be obtained by doing your homework. Read about what you think you want Talk to your doctor about realistic expectations because that’s what you have to establish right away People come in and say “I want these gone” and I say, “Well I can make them a little better. And I don’t know if that’s going to be 20% better or 80% better, but it’s not going to be 100% better.” And we have to try... more

In order to achieve optimum results from a laser treatment, follow the treatment with either a glycolic acid or retinol serum and a ceramide containing moisturizer.

Skin heals best when it is kept moist.  The best way to accomplish that is to apply an ointment with no irritants in it, such as petroleum jelly (Vaseline) every two-three hours for three days after the procedure. It is also extremely important to stay out of the sun while the skin is healing.  The skin has very little protection after a resurfacing procedure and may be damaged more easily by ultraviolet light.  In addition, exposure to the sun may lead to... more

One size does not fit all. Your skin should be evaluated by a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon who can customize pre-op and post-op skin care routines to maxmize the clinical/cosmetic outcome and minimize potential complications. Ask your laser surgeon whether or he or she has treated more than 50 patients of your skin type.