{"id":27666,"date":"2024-04-26T12:54:35","date_gmt":"2024-04-26T19:54:35","guid":{"rendered":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/?p=27666"},"modified":"2024-04-30T08:47:11","modified_gmt":"2024-04-30T15:47:11","slug":"what-not-to-do-after-co2-laser","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/what-not-to-do-after-co2-laser","title":{"rendered":"6 Things to Do\u2014and Not Do\u2014After Getting a CO2 Laser Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Featured Experts
Dr. Jeremy Brauer<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
Dr. Cameron Chesnut<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist in Spokane, Washington
Dr. Monika Kiripolsky<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills, California<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

A CO2 laser<\/a> is the most aggressive type of skin resurfacing device out there, firmly in a class of its own. “CO2 lasers are ablative, causing true wounding to the skin. Other, non-ablative lasers and resurfacing procedures disrupt the epidermis, but it’s still left intact. With CO2 lasers, you’re intentionally causing controlled injury and open wounds,” explains New York City board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jeremy Brauer<\/a>. That level of intensity directly correlates with increased efficacy; these lasers can deliver incredible results, albeit after a pretty significant period of healing. <\/p>

And what you do—and don’t do—to your skin during this critical period will also directly impact the results. “A CO2 laser treatment is a financial investment. But you’re also investing your time and have to be committed to setting aside a week afterward. It’s important to do anything and everything to protect that investment,” Dr. Brauer notes.<\/p>

Interested in CO2 laser?<\/small><\/div>Find Doctors Near You<\/a><\/div>

It is worth mentioning that no two recovery periods are the same. Everything from the patient’s age to how aggressively the doctor uses the laser to the area of the face treated can impact the recovery process, says Dr. Cameron Chesnut<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist in Spokane, Washington. As always, it’s imperative to speak with your doctor beforehand about exactly what you<\/em> can expect and what type of post-procedure care you’ll need. But as a general rule, the most acute healing phase takes about seven days, during which there are some universal CO2 laser recovery rules worth following. <\/p>

Stock up on distilled water and white vinegar<\/h2>

These kitchen staples are paramount when it comes to post-laser care, making for a skin-saving solution that all of the experts we spoke with recommend. Why distilled water? According to Dr. Brauer, it’s important that it be as sterile as possible in order to minimize infection while the skin has actual open wounds. Why white vinegar? “It both constricts the blood vessels to help with itching and redness and is an antiseptic,” Dr. Chesnut explains. You can soak gauze pads in the mix and (very<\/em> gently) press them onto your skin, although Dr. Chesnut cautions that even this can be too much mechanical trauma. Instead, he suggests combining the water and vinegar, in a one-to-one ratio, in a spray bottle that you can keep in the refrigerator and use to mist the treated area as needed throughout the day.<\/p>

Take your oral meds <\/h2>

Oral meds after a skin procedure? Yes. Dr. Monika Kiripolsky<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills, California, says that oral antibiotics are commonly prescribed post-CO2 laser, as is valacyclovir, an antiviral that prevents cold sores. “Patients tell me they’ve never had a cold sore, but if you test everyone’s blood, there’s a high percentage of people who have been exposed to the herpes simplex virus and don’t know it,” she explains. Similarly, it’s worth discussing any medications you’re taking with your doctor pre-procedure. For example, it’s recommended to stop taking doxycycline beforehand, as it can increase sun sensitivity (the last thing you want after a laser), says Dr. Brauer.<\/p>

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