If you’ve been considering a skin resurfacing treatment, you’ve probably wondered what recovery is really like. The results look stunning, but will recovery time be worth it? The short answer: yes!
At Phases Skin Care and Laser Center we want our patients to feel empowered when it comes to their skin care. Laser treatment recovery doesn’t have to be a mystery. It’s just part of the process!
The basics of a laser treatment
To understand what’s happening during your recovery after a laser treatment, you need to know what exactly is happening to your skin during the treatment.
Our skin is made up of several layers that are constantly being refreshed by our body’s natural process. The body creates new skin cells as it gets rid of old ones. Sometimes hiccups in the process result in those dry skin flakes we all get from time to time.
On a deeper level, two proteins are responsible for our skin’s structure: collagen and elastin. We get scars and other textural issues when the process for producing these proteins is disrupted.
During a laser resurfacing treatment, your provider is using the power of light energy to remove the damaged layers of skin. As the old skin is removed, it stimulates your body’s natural collagen production to produce newer, younger-looking skin.
What happens during laser treatment recovery?
After your initial laser treatment the body needs time to refresh and finish shedding the damaged skin. That’s why you can experience redness and flakiness in the days following your treatment.
Tips for laser treatment recovery
Don’t pick at or touch your skin!
Seriously, don’t. While it may be tempting to “help” your body along by manually removing some of those pesky flakes, you run the risk of damaging your skin. Trust the process. And while you’re at it don’t use any harsh exfoliants to speed it along either. Gentle cleansers only.
Moisturize and hydrate!
Keep your skin moisturized inside and out while you recover. Use a good moisturizer, we recommend a medical-grade one, to help soothe your skin. You should also make sure you’re drinking enough water!
Avoid the sun!
Your new skin is going to be more sensitive to the sun for a few days, so protect it by using SPF and avoiding the sun when possible. Remember sun damage is responsible for most skin changes, so you should be protecting your skin all the time, not just in recovery!
More questions about laser treatments, recovery, or other skincare practices?
The team at Phases Skin Care and Laser Center are ready and willing to answer all your questions! If you’re looking to level up your skincare game, it’s never too early to reach out and schedule a skincare consultation today.
Not quite ready for an in person visit or just can’t wait to explore our skincare options? Our virtual consultation tool is available 24/7 online! Answer a few simple questions about your areas of interest and you’ll receive customized recommendations right to your inbox!
