3 Tips For Recovering From Laser Skin Resurfacing
If you have acne scars, fine wrinkles, or other cosmetic imperfections of the skin, laser skin resurfacing can be the perfect solution to give you the youthful, blemish-free skin you deserve. While these procedures produce excellent results, there is often some amount of pain and swelling that occurs during the healing process. Here are some tips that can help you be more comfortable and avoid complications while recovering from laser skin resurfacing.
Clean the Affected Area Regularly
Mild blistering can occur after laser skin resurfacing that requires regular cleaning to prevent infection. Rather than using soap that could potentially aggravate the affected skin, many dermatologists recommend rinsing a few times a day with a saline solution or diluted vinegar.
Skin can react with varying severity to laser resurfacing. Your dermatologist will tell you if your reaction requires any additional protective measures. Sometimes it may be necessary to apply antibiotic ointment a few times daily or dress the skin for the first week or two after the procedure.
Postpone Using Cosmetics
While you may be tempted to use makeup to cover damaged skin while you are healing, this should be avoided until all swelling, blistering, and peeling has stopped. Using cosmetic products on your skin while it is still damaged from laser resurfacing can cause additional inflammation and irritation that greatly increases the amount of time it takes for your skin to heal properly.
After the first two weeks of recovery it is generally safe to use cosmetics to cover any remaining redness, as the affected area will be covered with a new layer of skin.
Use Sunscreen During Late Recovery
Both the subdermal layers of your skin and the new skin that grows back over the treated area are extremely sensitive to sunlight and UV radiation. While you are still in the early stages of recovery, it is best to limit your time outdoors as much as possible.
After the first weeks of recovery have passed and new skin has begun to grow back, it is best to use sunscreen every time you go outdoors for another month or two. This will promote healthy development of the skin and minimize the chances that freckles, wrinkles, and patches of discoloration develop. Protection from sunlight is one of the most important factors during recovery to ensure that you get the results you hoped for from your laser skin resurfacing treatment.
Using these tips in combination with pain relievers and regularly applying ice packs will help to make your recovery as fast and painless as possible (learn more information here).
