Laser skin rejuvenation can do a lot for your skin, but what you do before and after your appointment matters, too. Giving your skin time to heal, keeping it protected from the sun, and temporarily simplifying your skincare routine can all help make recovery smoother.
If you have an upcoming laser skin treatment at Bend Plastic Surgery, here’s what we recommend before your appointment and while your skin is healing.
Before Your Laser Treatment
Preparing for laser skin rejuvenation doesn’t require completely changing your routine, but there are a few things you’ll want to do differently in the days leading up to your appointment.
About a week before treatment, put strong exfoliants, resurfacing acids, and Vitamin C on hold. You’ll continue avoiding these products for about a week afterward while your skin heals.
If we’ve instructed you to use numbing cream, cleanse your skin thoroughly one hour before your appointment, wipe the area well with alcohol, and generously apply and massage in the numbing cream. BBL treatments are an exception and do not require numbing.
We also recommend eating a meal before your treatment. If PRP is part of your treatment plan, make sure you arrive well hydrated.
What Your Skin May Look Like After Treatment
Don’t be alarmed if your skin doesn’t immediately look like the finished result. Depending on your treatment, some swelling and flaking can be a normal part of the healing process.
Swelling can be particularly noticeable around the eyes. Ice and sleeping upright can help, as can gentle lymphatic drainage massage at home. If your skin begins to flake, resist the urge to pick at it and always wash your hands before touching your face.
BBL can look a little different during recovery. Pigmented areas may actually become darker following treatment before they improve. This darkening can take two to three weeks to subside. Let it happen naturally rather than exfoliating, scrubbing, or picking at the skin.
Be Extra Careful With the Sun
Sun protection is one of the most important parts of laser skin rejuvenation aftercare, and something to take especially seriously here in sunny Central Oregon.
Keep your skin out of the sun following treatment and be diligent about sunscreen for at least the first two weeks.
You’ll also want to give your skin a break from excessive heat. Skip saunas and steam rooms for 48 hours following your laser treatment, since the additional heat can irritate recovering skin.
Keep Your Skincare Simple
Your post-laser skincare routine should be pretty boring, and that’s a good thing.
For about a week, continue avoiding the exfoliants, resurfacing acids, and Vitamin C you stopped before your appointment. Instead, focus on gentle products and plenty of hydration.
We recommend the Epionce Essential Recovery Kit to help hydrate and restore balance to the skin. It includes the products you’ll need during the first three to five days after treatment.
And remember: flaking skin isn’t an invitation to exfoliate. Give your skin the chance to shed and heal on its own.
A Few Small Things That Make a Difference
You can begin wearing makeup again 24 hours after treatment, but make sure you’re using clean brushes. Swap out your pillowcase for a clean one as well. These are easy steps that help keep freshly treated skin clean while it heals.
Most importantly, follow the instructions you receive at your appointment. Laser treatments aren’t one-size-fits-all, and your aftercare may be adjusted depending on the procedure you’re having and your skin.
Considering Laser Skin Rejuvenation in Bend?
Laser skin rejuvenation can address a variety of skin concerns, and the right treatment depends on what you’re hoping to improve.
If you’re considering laser skin rejuvenation in Bend, Oregon, the team at Bend Plastic Surgery can help you explore your options and determine which treatment makes sense for your skin and goals.
Schedule a consultation with Bend Plastic Surgery to learn more about our skin rejuvenation treatments and create a treatment plan personalized to you.