Best Skin Aftercare Following Laser Resurfacing?

There are three stages to skin care after laser skin resurfacing. It is also important to differentiate between lasers and how the laser is used (depth of treatment).  This will vary depending on your goals, and the physician's experience. Considering that you are referring to a deep skin resurfacing, this is likely  a deeper CO2 or fractional CO2 laser. Every surgeon will have a bit of a different routine and we always recommend following your own surgeons instructions for this.1) Immediately After (3-10 days depending on laser and your skin)-  Initially after the laser skin resurfacing procedure, your skin is healing. The normal barrier that locks in your skins moisture is compromised.  In order to protect the skin and help it heal, some type of occlusive barrier should be used.  We recommend Aquaphor or Vaseline for most people.  This is used until the skin is peeled and stops crusting.2) Shortly After-  Once the skin is peeled and healed, you must protect the skin with an excellent chemical free moisurizer and chemical free sunscreen.  There is some growing evidence that certain creams/serums with growth factors may also help collagen production and expedite resolution of redness.  We recommend this for our patient too. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of a medical grade sunblock. 3) Long term-  This is long term skin maintenance. You have spent time and money on your skin to look better.  Now it is time to maintain it and prolong the results.  Maintenance involves sunblock daily and a good moisturizer.  In addition, you may add things like Retin-a, retinol, growth factors, vitamin C, hydroquinone, etc.  This is HIGHLY customized to the individual person and there is no one size fits all approach. Your surgeon and their skin care team should help you come up with the best plan that works for you.Hope this helps, and remember that it is generally best to follow your physicians advice over what you may read online. Every situation is different

For 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. Sun protection is essential. Typically I recommend adding Cosmelan and viva 4-6 weeks after lasers to improve outcomes along with microneedling/prp to get the best outcomes with texture and tone.  Please see an expert. Best, Dr. Emer.

The best post-laser skincare regimen varies depending on the type of laser used and the aggressiveness of the treatment. For more aggressive fractional CO2 or Erbium resurfacing treatments that I perform, I typically have patients use a very simple petroleum-based moisturizing ointment for the first week. Less aggressive moisturizer can start to be used after that point. Most importantly, patients are instructed not to pick at peeling skin or wash the face with anything other than water during that first week. Each doctor will have their own aftercare regimen, so be sure to discuss this with them.All the best,