What is the Best Total Sunblock to Use After Laser Resurfacing?

In my practice, both my staff and my patients agree that TIZO2 is the best sunscreen for use after laser as well as everyday use.  TIZO 2 is a sunscreen formulated to offer sheer, elegant protection with a silky, smooth, matte finish. It has multiple particle sizes of micronized titanium and zinc to offer a light, silky texture that dries to a clear, yet matte finish on any complexion. It offers unsurpassed, irritant free UVA/UVB light protection and is paraben, oil, and fragrance free. It is very water resistant andexcellent for sensitive skin.  It contains 8% Titanium Dioxide and 3.8% Zinc Oxide.  Hope this information helps you.  Dr. Clevens

Depending on the level of resurfacing, you may not be able to apply any sunscreen until the day your doctor recommends to allow new epithelium to form.  We delay the use of sunscreen for several days, if not longer, for the Fraxel Repair laser but recommend much sooner use after the Fraxel Restore / Dual laser. Although there are several more elegant and sheer types of zinc oxide sunscreens than the older white paste that was seen on the noses of lifeguards, we have had several years of good use with the TNS Skin medica sunscreen that is in its ablative kit, designed especially for resurfacing. The Environmental Defense Sunscreen provides very good protectiton for skin that has healed after laser resurfacing. 

Thank you for your question. Any sunscreen with a high concentration of Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide that is SPF  30 or greater, and does not irritate your skin would be best for your skin.  The key ingredient is reapplication every two hours as sunscreen does deteriorate with sun exposure. You should also wear sunglasses, sun protective clothing, and avoid the sun especially during the peak hours of 10am-4pm. Be certain to obtain yearly skin cancer screenings by your board certified dermatologist. I hope this helps.

Really simple. Turn the bottle over and look for one of two ingredients: zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These provide true physical block to both uva and uvb exposure. Also reapply every two hours if sweating or strenuous activity. Hope this was helpful.

Best. Dr D.

Thanks for your question!  We love the Elta MD Physical or Elements which have both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and act as a barrier to the sun rather than a chemical sunscreen.  Those sunscreens are very soothing to recently resurfaced skin and are also very cosmetically elegant, meaning they don't look white or pasty on the skin.  Hope you love your laser results!