Whether you're looking to diminish the appearance of scars, reduce wrinkles, or improve hyperpigmentation, laser treatment may be a great option, but many people shy away from this option because they worry about having red skin after treatment. Afterall, they're looking for a solution to make skin look better not worse. While skin redness and peeling can happen following laser treatment, these side effects are usually short lived, especially with the right post-laser treatment care plan. In this blog, we'll review the best aftercare plan to reduce redness following laser treatment.
Immediate Post-Laser Treatment
The best way to minimize the side effects of laser treatment is to start countering them with appropriate aftercare steps immediately after laser treatment. The thermal energy from lasers causes the expansion of blood vessels (vasodilation) that is responsible for much of skin's red coloring after laser treatment. In response to laser therapy, the body increases circulation to repair tissues, leading to inflammation that can increase redness. Skin irritation and even peeling may also occur due to damage to skin's protective barrier that makes skin more reactive to external aggressors. The most important thing to remember is that skin redness following laser treatment is part of the natural healing process. The key to reducing redness is to soothe skin and accelerate the healing process. Dermatologists recommend the following care steps for the first 48 hours post laser treatment:
- Keep skin cool – apply cold compresses to alleviate inflammation. You can also apply gentle fragrance-free moisturizer, especially barrier-repairing creams or topical cooling agents like aloe vera. Avoid applying ice to skin as the intense cold can further damage skin.
- Hydrate (one week post treatment) – moisturizer is essential following laser treatment. Look for ingredients like peptides and hyaluronic acid to support long-term skin hydration and ceramides to deliver immediate moisture and repair skin's damaged barrier.
- Avoid heat and sun – don't take very hot showers or baths, skip strenuous workouts, and don't spend too much time in the sun. Heat increases blood flow, which can cause skin redness to last longer.
- Be gentle – don't scrub or pick at the treated area. You should also avoid exfoliating products or textured skincare tools that may irritate or further damage skin.
Skincare Routine After Laser Treatment
In addition to these basic steps, it's important to develop a gentle routine for skincare after laser treatment that boosts healing and minimizes skin irritation. The goal of post-procedure skincare is to soothe inflammation, hydrate, and protect skin as it heals. Keep it basic but be consistent.
Cleansing
Use a gentle cleanser. Look for products that are marketed as safe for sensitive skin as well as free from sulfates, dyes, fragrances, and other potentially irritating ingredients. Use lukewarm rather than hot water to cleanse and rinse skin. Don't use cleansing tools or washcloths to apply cleanser. Instead, gently massage cleanser over skin's surface with fingertips. Only wash twice a day, in the morning and evening, to avoid over-drying or irritating skin. Recommended product: ALASTIN Gentle Cleanser – made for sensitive and post-procedure skin, this cleanser is gentle, but it's effective in removing impurities from skin without stripping away necessary moisture.
Soothing Serums
Following laser treatments, you want to use serums that have ingredients to support skin barrier repair, boost hydration, and soothe irritation. Recommended Products:
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SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel – formulated with soothing botanicals like cucumber and thyme as well as moisturizing hyaluronic acid, this serum boosts healing and repairs skin's barrier.
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ALASTIN Regenerating Skin Nectar – this serum was developed specifically to accelerate healing following dermatologic procedures. The patented TriHex Technology removes damaged collagen and elastin and boosts the production of healthy, new collagen and elastin fibers.
Moisturizing
A lightweight moisturizer with gentile ingredients that can be easily absorbed is an essential aspect of calming skincare after laser therapy. To heal skin's barrier, apply moisturizer at least in the morning and evening. If skin is dry or peeling, you may want to moisturize more often. Recommended Product: ALASTIN Ultra-Light Moisturizer – ceramides and peptides work together to restore the skin's barrier, but the easily absorbed formula prevents clogged pores.
Sun Protection
Skin is very sensitive to sun exposure after laser treatment. Skin redness can increase or last longer when exposed to UV rays. The sun can also trigger hyperpigmentation in sensitive, post-procedure skin. Minimizing sun exposure and applying sunscreen daily reduces risk for post-treatment skin damage. Recommended Products:
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EltaMD UV Recovery SPF 50 Green Tint – if you want to improve the appearance of redness while protecting skin from sun damage, this product is one of the most highly effective options.
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ALASTIN SilkSHIELD All Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 – this antioxidant-rich mineral sunscreen works well to protect against sun damage and soothe healing skin.
What to Avoid Post-Laser
In addition to these tips and skincare recommendations to improve laser skin treatment recovery, there are also some things to avoid. For the first few weeks or until skin is completely healed, steer clear of the following:
- Exfoliants – alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid are all ingredients that should be avoided until skin is fully healed.
- Retinol – these products are used to accelerate skin turnover and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but they can irritate skin if used too soon after laser treatment.
- Vitamin C – while serums that contain vitamin C boost sun protection, they can also be irritating when used after laser procedures.
- Harsh ingredients and tools – products that contain alcohol, fragrance, and essential oils can irritate skin. Additionally, using brushes, rough cloths, or scrubbing tools on skin is not advisable immediately following laser treatment.
- Sun exposure – the sun's UV rays can be damaging to skin that's more sensitive following laser therapy. It's important to reduce sun exposure and apply sunscreen regularly.
How Long Does Redness Last?
For most people, skin redness following laser treatment doesn't last more than a few days. However, this can vary based on the type of laser used, skin type, and compliance with post-procedure skincare. There are two main types of lasers, ablative and non-ablative. Ablative lasers cause skin redness and irritation that lasts between one and three weeks. Redness following non-ablative laser therapy only last two to five days. Those with sensitive or reactive skin may experience redness that lasts longer as well as increased irritation and inflammation. The best way to reduce redness after laser treatment and minimize symptoms is to follow your dermatologist's post-procedure skincare routine closely. If skin redness gets worse over time, pain increases, or blisters form, contact your dermatologist right away.
Recovery Product Collection
You can put together your own skincare regimen to heal and soothe skin after laser treatment, or you can simplify the process by investing in products from DermSkincare's Post-Procedure Laser Treatment Collection. The dermatologist-curated products on this list include cleansers, serums, moisturizers, and sunscreens that are ideal for healing skin following laser therapy.
Conclusion: Reap the Benefits of Laser Therapy Without the Side Effects
Laser therapy can be transformative for skin's health and appearance. The short-term frustration of post-treatment redness and skin irritation just means skin is healing. A bit of patience and good post-procedure skincare improves results and ensures optimal skin health.
Explore More of What DermSkincare Has to Offer
In addition to post-laser recovery products, DermSkincare offers a wide-array of dermatologist-recommended skincare products. Whether you're looking to turn back the clock by boosting your anti-aging skincare routine or you want to improve skin's general appearance, there are products for every skin type and skin health goal. If you're looking for more tips from skincare professionals, come back to read our blog regularly.