I had fully ablative (not fractionated) CO2 laser on a deep scar on my left cheek yesterday morning.

Question

I never received specific instructions for after care, just to wash with a gentle cleanser and keep Vaseline on it. How often should I wash my face though? And how much Vaseline? Like a thick coat? Is it possible to wash too much and put too much Vaseline on? I don't want to risk hurting my skin. Please help me, I would really appreciate some guidance. I tried calling my doctor's office today and the medical assistant was very vague on what I should do even though I asked her for specific instructions.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I recommend following up with your Doctor about after care. I recommend skin care with vitamin c, b5 hydrator, silicone based scar gels with growth factors and enzymatic washes with papaya enzyme. PDT therapy can help calm inflammation. Typically I recommend adding clear and brilliant, fraxel, viva 4-6 weeks after co2 to improve results along with microneedling/prp to get the best outcomes with texture and tone.  Please see an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Jeff Angobaldo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Cleanse skin every morning and evening with a gentle cleanser such as cetaphil. If you have any pin point bleeding saturate a gauze with a tablespoon of vinegar and water and gently press on areas to cleanse the blood off. Do not scrape your skin.  Apply a thin layer of aquaphor and stay out of the sun. Keep your skin lubricated with a think layer of aquaphor 3-4 days after treatment and then switch to a gentle hydrating lotion.

Davin Lim, MBBS, FACD - Account Suspended · Answer

Duty of care by Board Certified Dermatologists or Plastics should be upheld. To be politically correct, you should call your Specialist. We all have a duty of care, and most importantly our protocols will vary. I personally bring all my patients back the next day for nursing care, wound care and SPECIFIC instructions - this applies to all my fully ablative laser treatments. I also prescribe prophylactic abs and if needed antivirals. My skin care post op. are with gentle washes and emollients. In some cases I use yellow light to speed up skin recovery. Please check with your dermatologist or plastics who performed this procedure for their own protocols. Dr Davin Lim. Brisbane. Australia.

I had fully ablative (not fractionated) CO2 laser on a deep scar on my left cheek yesterday morning.

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I had fully ablative (not fractionated) CO2 laser on a deep scar on my left cheek yesterday morning.

Answers (3)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about CO2 Laser

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.