I had the fractional laser resurfacing about 3 weeks ago. My skin is extremely dry.

Fractional CO2 laser is an excellent tool for skin rejuvenation in our center in Santa Monica. We use the fractional multi-depth ablative approach to help resurface the skin, recontour acne scars, improve incisional plastic surgery scars, and reduce surface irregularities from skin tone to dark pigmentation. Our approach utilizes a multi-depth approach that targets melanocytes in the epidermis and collagen fibroblasts in the dermis. This approach can be combined with a TCA Peel in a process known as a sapphire peel. Fractional laser is excellent for acne scars and contour scars in the skin. Patients are advised to undergo skin protocols with Melarase creams before and after treatment to help reduce pigmentation. Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads can seriously improve surface sun damage and UV related pigmentation. After the laser, we expect redness for a few weeks as the skin improves. PRP and Hydrafacial enzyme facials can further improve skin quality after fractional co2.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

There are many great moisturizers for post-laser care.  One of the better newer products is HA5 from SkinMedica, a hyaluronic acid product that provides excellent moisture and hyaluronic acid which is a building block of collagen.  Best wishes.

We do a large # of laser resurfacing procedures in our office and routinely advocate proper moisturization with Opti-Ceramide creams and the product we recommend, Elevase Moisture Booster, both hydrates and provides deep moisturization of the skin. It is a non oily, non-comedogenic Opti-Ceramide cream and you can get information about this product on the link below. We also recommend concurrent use of sun protection which has high antioxidant content. See the link below for the Hydrate + Protect Mini Kit. 

For patients in our office who have fractional, or any other type of laser treatment, we carry a wide variety of clinical skincare products. The new Phyto Corrective Masque from Skinceuticals is a good option to both calm inflammation and hydrate sensitive, post-procedure skin. Other options we might recommend are the NeoCutis BioCream, which would have the added benefit of a growth factor penetrating your healing skin, or the SkinCeuticals Epidermal Repair. Check with your laser technician to see what they would recommend following your procedure.

Hi there,It is very common to be dry after fractional CO2, because the laser targets dermal water.  Immediately post treatment, we have patients use emollients such as aquaphor or even coconut oil for the first several days post laser.  You are now 3 weeks out, so any moisturizer such as Cerave pm, or moisturizers with hyaluronic acid in them would be helpful.  Hope that helps and happy healing.