You need a post procedure skin care treatment! We get it. Sometimes, you want more than a silky fluid or rich cream to help add more glow to your face—you want the aid of technology. And these days, you have a bevy of options. Many popular skincare procedures available today are designed for anti-aging skincare regimens, but many can also help with scarring, acne, and hyperpigmentation.

However, the majority of procedures—while they certainly have their benefits—can make skin more sensitive while it generates new tissue, kills bacteria, and produces collagen. How can you take the best care of your skin following your procedure? Here’s everything YOU need to know about post procedure skincare!

Acne Blue Light Therapy (For Post Procedure Skin Care)

Blue light therapy helps kill the bacteria that cause acne. While it’s gentler than many common treatments for acne, it can still make skin sensitive following treatment, meaning being gentle with your skin is crucial!

What To Do After Acne Blue Light Therapy:

• Use sunscreen when going out
• Also, use a moisturizer designed for sensitive skin
• Use ice if needed
• Wear a hat if you react to sunscreen to avoid direct sunlight

What To Avoid After Acne Blue Light Therapy:

• Direct sunlight for approximately one week
• Using makeup for several days after the procedure
• Shaving your face for a few days after the procedure
• Picking at your skin

Since people with acne can have sensitive and reactive skin anyway, it’s best to use products for sensitive skin for your post procedure skincare, such as unscented sunscreens and cleansers.

Laser Skin Resurfacing (In Case Of Post Procedure)

Laser skin resurfacing helps remove layers of damaged skin while promoting new tissue and collagen production. Lasers can help reduce the appearance of aging, making skin look younger and fresher. For your skincare after laser, follow these tips:

What To Do After Laser Skin Resurfacing:

• Use moisturizer
• Also, use sunscreen
• Gently clean your face using a mild cleanser twice a day with warm water (not hot water)

Has your procedure been done in the fall or winter due to sun sensitivity post procedure?

What To Avoid After Laser Skin Resurfacing:

• Over-moisturizing
• Direct sunlight for a few weeks
• Touching your face immediately afterward
• Exfoliating for at least one week afterward
• Skincare products with retinol
• Any astringents or skincare products with alcohol
• Makeup for several days

Your skincare after laser routine should always involve sunscreen and moisturizer but do avoid any abrasive or irritating ingredients, such as exfoliants, retinol, and alcohol.

Botox (For Post Procedure Skin Care)

Botox is one of the most common anti-aging skincare procedures that can help reduce lines and wrinkles via injection. While Botox won’t necessarily cause sensitive skin, there are certain things you should avoid for your skincare after the Botox regimen.

What To Do After Botox:

• Your normal skincare routine
• Facial exercises to help the treatment work in needed areas of your face
• Use a sunscreen or a hat when going out

What To Avoid After Botox:

• Touching your face within the hours after the procedure
• Wearing makeup for about 24 hours following the treatment
• Exfoliating for about 24 hours following the procedure
• Sun exposure for a minimum of 48 hours

Skincare after Botox isn’t complicated, but that being said, you should always follow your doctor’s instructions for aftercare and make the most of this treatment!

Chemical Peels (For Skin Care Treatment)

Chemical peels are a cost-effective way to help improve the appearance of many different skin issues, including photoaging, hyperpigmentation, skin tone, acne, and acne scars.

There are different chemical peels based on your skin type and your skin concerns. For example, while a glycolic acid peel is excellent for anti-aging, it’s not the best choice for sensitive or reactive skin. On the other hand, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels can be safe for sensitive skin and help hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and photoaging.

What To Do After Chemical Peels:

• Be gentle when cleaning skin—use a gentle cleanser
• Use sunscreen
• Also, use moisturizer
• Can use serum by gently patting it on the face

What To Avoid After Chemical Peels:

• Vitamin C serums with ascorbic acid
• Washcloths or cleaning brushes
• Sunlight as directed by your doctor based on your type of peel
• Over-moisturizing
• Exfoliating as directed by your doctor
• Retinol as directed by your doctor

Depending on the type of peel you’ve had and your skin type, skin can be pretty sensitive following a peel. Always follow your practitioner’s directions for post procedure skincare (or the label if you’re using a peel at home!).

Microneedling (For Post Procedure Skin Care)

Microneedling uses tiny needles to create very small wounds in the skin, prompting the skin to create new tissue and produce collagen. This procedure can help improve the appearance and texture of the skin, including wrinkles, large pores, and acne scars (although for acne scars, you may require numerous treatments).

What To Do After Microneedling:

• Be gentle when applying serum
• Use unscented products
• Also, use gentle cleansers
• Use clean makeup brushes
• Use moisturizers with hyaluronic acid

What To Avoid After Microneedling:

• Sun exposure for about one week
• Exfoliating as directed by your doctor
• Any skincare products with alcohol
• Makeup immediately after the procedure
• Scented products
• Glycolic acid and alpha hydroxy acid (AHA)
• Retinol as directed by your doctor
• Vitamin C as directed by your doctor

For post procedure skincare with micro-needling, it’s best to avoid an anti-aging skincare regimen for at least a few days following the procedure.

Microdermabrasion (For Post Procedure Skin Treatment)

Microdermabrasion is an exfoliating procedure that helps aging skin but can also improve the appearance of acne scars and other scar tissue on the face and sun damage. It’s considered a safe and effective procedure, and here’s what to do following a microdermabrasion appointment.

What To Do After Microdermabrasion:

• Use moisturizer
• Use hydrating products
• Also, use sunscreen
• Use vitamin C serum
• Use gentle, unscented cleanser
• When washing your face, use cool or lukewarm water

What To Avoid After Microdermabrasion:

• Makeup for about 48 hours
• Direct sunlight for about one week
• Exfoliating for about one week
• Picking or unnecessary touching of the skin

This procedure is known for being one of the best procedures if you don’t want any downtime, but that doesn’t mean you can skip an effective post procedure skincare routine!

Do You Modify Your Routine For Post Procedure Skin Care Treatments?

As you’ve noticed, many of these treatments involve the use of unscented, gentle cleansers along with moisturizers and sunscreen. If you get regular treatments, it’s best to have these products on hand so you can properly care for your skin post procedure! Do you change up YOUR routine for skincare after laser, Botox, or other treatments? Let us know in the comments below!