Do’s and Don’ts After Your Laser Peel
Laser Peel | The Office of Dr. Vincent Hung
When it comes to skin rejuvenation procedures, caring for your skin after the treatment can have almost as much impact as the treatment itself.
Laser peels, while effective, have an intense effect on your skin, so you should go into the procedure armed with as much knowledge about post-treatment skin care as possible.
Laser peels offer a safe and effective way to improve the skin’s texture and appearance. With the ability to address a wide array of skin concerns, laser peels performed by Dr. Hung guarantee a precision treatment with impressive results.
What Is a Laser Peel?
Also known as laser skin resurfacing, a laser peel delivers targeted laser energy deep into your skin. The laser gently heats the underlying facial tissue, causing microscopic injuries under the dermal layer. When your body detects these injuries, it goes into healing mode by stimulating collagen production.
The increase in collagen helps to improve several skin concerns, including:
- Fine lines and wrinkles, including in the delicate area around your eyes
- Scars from acne or other injuries
- Age spots
- Uneven skin tone
- Mildly sagging skin
- Rough or uneven skin texture
The treatment typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, and once your skin has healed, you’re left with a more youthful complexion that is smoother and tighter.
How Long Does It Take to Heal After a Laser Peel?
Depending on the type of laser used and the depth of your treatment, recovery after a laser peel can take anywhere from three days to three weeks.
You may experience some side effects, including swelling, redness, and burning, but these are typically mild and resolve within a few days.
Do’s and Don’ts of Healing After a Laser Peel
Dr. Hung will provide detailed instructions to care for your face post-treatment.
Following his instructions to the letter is essential to ensure you receive the best possible results from your laser peel. To help you care for your skin, encourage healing, and boost the effectiveness of your treatment, we’ve compiled our top tips for maximizing your results after a laser peel.
DO Gently Cleanse Your Skin Daily
After your laser peel, you’ll want to wait about 12 hours before washing your face. When you wash your face, use the gentlest cleanser you can find. Avoid anything with enzymatic acids, exfoliants, retinol, or other anti-aging ingredients.
Rinse with warm water (not hot) and pat dry. Do not scrub or rub your skin.
DO Use Ice or Cold Compresses
After your laser peel, your face will be red and feel warm — as if you had a sunburn — and it may be a bit swollen.
Use ice packs or a cold compress on your face to alleviate these common side effects. Not only will the coolness alleviate your discomfort, but it will also help the healing process.
Keeping your face cool also means avoiding heat exposure. Stay away from hot showers, baths, saunas, and hot tubs. Strenuous exercise should also be put on hold temporarily.
Too much heat causes your pores to open, leaving your tender skin vulnerable to bacteria and irritation.
DO Avoid the Sun
After a laser peel, your skin will be especially sensitive to the sun. Exposing your skin to UV rays can affect your results, causing potentially irreversible hyperpigmentation.
Stay inside and away from harmful UV rays for at least the first week after your peel, and if you go outside for any reason, apply sunscreen. Exposure to the sun, no matter how little, can impede the healing process and cause irritation and inflammation in your skin.
DON’T Go Overboard With Skin Care Products
Many people have a skin care regimen that includes exfoliants, toners, serums, and moisturizers full of anti-aging and active ingredients.
While this is a great way to keep your skin looking gorgeous and youthful, you must keep it simple during your laser peel recovery. Your skin needs to breathe as it heals, so the most you should be doing is using a gentle cleanser and a lightweight moisturizer.
DON’T Pick at Your Skin
Depending on the intensity of your treatment and the type of laser used, you may experience peeling after your procedure. DO NOT pick at or peel your skin.
After a laser peel, your skin’s barrier is compromised, making your skin more susceptible to bacteria and other microbes that the barrier typically protects against. Not only does picking and peeling potentially open your skin up to infection, but it can also slow the healing process and leave lasting scars.
DON’T Forget Sunscreen
Have we mentioned the importance of sunscreen after a laser peel? It bears repeating because post-treatment skin is especially vulnerable to the effects of UV rays.
Apply sunscreen if you go outside for any reason, even just to go from your home to your car. You might even be extra cautious and wear it inside because UV rays can penetrate most windows. Use a mineral sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and reapply as needed.
Learn More About Laser Peels in Pasadena
When you choose to undergo a laser treatment by Dr. Hung, you can rest assured that you’re getting the highest quality care from a skilled and knowledgeable surgeon. To learn more about laser peels or to schedule a consultation, call 626-432-5032 or fill out the online contact page.
