When it comes to skin procedures, the aftercare is as important as the treatment itself.
Avoid harsh cleansers or anything with fragrance. Instead, use mild, hypoallergenic products, like non-soap cleansers and fragrance-free moisturizers. After washing, gently pat your face dry with soft towels. Avoid sun.
Treatments and procedures are an exciting way to let your best face shine, but be cautious when taking care of your skin post-treatment.
Avoid harsh chemicals, peels, waxes, or other laser treatments at least two weeks after your appointment. Avoiding these will allow your skin to heal and return its hardy barrier to its natural state. Your skin will be more inflamed and irritated than usual, so make sure to stick to the basics of washing, moisturizing, and leaving your skin alone.
Once the skin is clear of dead cells, toxins, hair, or any additional skin condition the treatment is targeting, it’s time to give the skin a break.
It is recommended to avoid makeup or any topical creams on the treated area. Applying these substances clogs the pores of the affected area, causing further irritation and damage to the skin. If necessary, apply makeup or creams in small amounts to see if irritation does occur.
Post-treatment, the skin’s protective barrier is weakened. Since the protective barrier isn’t as strong, it leaves the skin more vulnerable and inclined to damage.
After your procedure, it is crucial to stay out of the sun for at least seven days post-treatment. Direct exposure to the sun is detrimental to the skin due to the harsh effects of UV rays, which will slow down the healing process. This is due to the excess skin sensitivity from a treatment that leaves you more inflamed and irritated than usual. The vulnerability of the skin post-treatment calls for cold temperatures and reduced exposure to heat. Avoid excess heat from hot showers, tubs, heating pads, or saunas. A surplus of heat causes the pores to open up, which could cause further irritation and discomfort.
Sunscreen is always a good idea, but it is imperative when you’ve just undergone a skin treatment.
Recently, treated skin, such as laser removal and microdermabrasion, makes the skin extremely vulnerable and prone to damage. The sun and its damaging effects require you to stack up on the SPF. Even if exposed for a short amount of time, it is vital to wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30. Wearing sunscreen will ensure that your skin will stay protected, even in the harshest of conditions. It’s important to remember that being in the sun for a short amount of time still does some damage. With that said, don’t forget to layer up on the SPF and reapply every so often!