Anyone who’s ever tried Fraxel will tell you, it can make your skin look amazing… but only after it makes your skin look worse. The fractional laser is a skin-resurfacing treatment that creates microtraumas deep within the skin. This ultimately results in both a smoother texture and a more even tone as well as an improvement in laxity and even the appearance of wrinkles. The other nice thing? Many people see a noticeable improvement after just a single session.
Here’s the downside, though: You’ll need a minimum of five days of recovery post-Fraxel. During this period, you’ll experience lots of redness and peeling, and it’s important to be judicious about what products you’re using. The key is to be gentle with your newly sensitized skin and give it the tools it needs to heal. To determine exactly what’s best to use, we asked a few experts to share the products they personally reach for after getting Fraxel. If you’re planning on going under the laser, be sure to pick up one of the below picks beforehand—you’ll be happy you did.
Mario Badescu Cleansing Milk with Carnation & Rice Oil ($12)
“While you’re recovering from Fraxel, you’ll want to be extra careful while cleansing,” cautions Dr. Manish Shah, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Denver. “Avoid fragranced soaps and anything with exfoliating ingredients. Instead, opt for soothing milk cleansers that will remove dirt and oil [and] also calm the skin.”
His choice from Mario Badescu fits the bill. It’s hypoallergenic and is recommended for people with sensitive skin—which is what someone has after a laser treatment—but is still an effective cleanser. You can follow up this cleanser with a DIY toner of sorts, a go-to move for Chicago board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jordan Carqueville. “I mix one part distilled white vinegar with three parts water and keep the solution in the fridge,” she says. “I apply it to a soft cloth and pat it all over my face. The vinegar is a natural antiseptic that will help reduce the risk of infection post-laser.”
Related: The In-Office Treatment I Got at Age 40 Gave Me Skin So Even, I Can Now Skip Foundation
SkinBetter Alto Defense Serum ($150)
Dr. Marnie Nussbaum, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, relies on this antioxidant serum post-procedure. “It’s one of my favorites to use, both daily and after Fraxel, because it contains a potent mix of free radical–fighting vitamins—such as vitamins C and E, which penetrate the skin to help reverse the effects of sun damage, reducing the appearance of uneven skin tone and redness and enhancing radiance.”
It’s a top pick for New York City board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jennifer MacGregor as well. She uses it twice daily, for one to two weeks, after Fraxel and notes that it can help maximize the results of the treatment.
Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar ($195)
“This is another great post-procedure product, with peptides that stimulate the skin to create more collagen and elastin,” says Dr. MacGregor. As is the case with the SkinBetter antioxidant serum, she likes using it twice daily. Given that your skin has little ‘holes’ in it after Fraxel, all the active ingredients in these types of antioxidant-based serums can better penetrate. “Personally, I don’t want to miss out on any of those results,” she says.
EltaMD Laser Enzyme Gel ($16)
Expect your skin to look—and feel—sunburned for a few days after Fraxel, making any type of cooling and/or soothing products a major win. Dr. Carqueville reaches for this gentle gel in the days following. “I love this for calming and cooling the skin post-laser,” she says. “It’s made mostly of water, glycerin, and bromelain, an enzyme naturally found in pineapple that reduces inflammation and bruising.” And thanks to the wallet-friendly price tag, you can slather it on with reckless abandon.
SkinMedica TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream ($69)
Moisturizing is important after any type of laser treatment; just make sure to stick with fairly plain, fragrance-free formulas. (Anything geared toward sensitive skin is a good bet.) Since the skin’s moisture barrier takes a beating during Fraxel, Dr. MacGregor also recommends using a product that contains ceramides, which are essential ingredients for helping to repair and maintain this delicate layer. “I like this cream because it has both ceramides and growth factors to help hasten the recovery process,” she explains.
Related: 5 Best In-Office Treatments to Try If You’re Not Ready for Fraxel
Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 50 ($11)
Sun protection is incredibly important after a Fraxel treatment. “Because Fraxel accelerates the turnover of the skin and peels off the surface layer to make room for newer, healthy skin, you’ll want to be extra-diligent about protecting it from UVA and UVB rays,” says Dr. Shah. He recommends staying out of the sun as much as possible and using a mineral-based sunscreen; these tend to be less likely to cause any kind of irritation on compromised skin than their chemical counterparts. This pick relies on zinc and zinc only, “offering broad-spectrum protection in a gentle and hypoallergenic formula,” he says.
SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Mask ($59)
If you need to quickly turn down redness (so you can go out in public without scaring people), reach for this mask, one of Dr. Nussbaum’s favorites. Using botanical extracts, a calming peptide, and hydrating hyaluronic acid, it goes to work fast, “soothing skin, alleviating redness, and calming inflammation,” she explains. The gel also has a cooling effect (even more so, if you stash it in the fridge), and you can either rinse it off after 15 minutes or leave on a thin layer as an overnight treatment.
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion ($12)
Apply this night cream before you hit the sack. “It’s a gentle moisturizer that contains ceramides and niacinamide, which will penetrate through the micro channels created in the skin from the Fraxel, helping to reduce redness and keep the skin hydrated,” Dr. Nussbaum says. Still, it’s lightweight enough that you don’t have to worry about clogged pores, a common issue that can occur if you use creams that are too heavy post-Fraxel, she adds.
