I’m Always Getting Laser Treatments. Here’s What I Use to Help My Skin Heal.
Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your account’s‘Saved for Later’section.
Comment
A few years ago, I tried MOXI, a nonablative resurfacinglaser, for the first time. It tackles skin texture, brown spots,fine lines, and enlarged pores. My treatment was stacked (a practice of combining treatments for even better results) with BBL HEROIC, a broadband light treatment that targetsbrown spots,redness, acne, and also promotes collagen. Since then, I’ve had about seven treatments.
I’m fresh off a recent maintenance treatment withPermanent Touch Cosmeticsin Woodbury, New York, and I’d say I’ve mastered skin recovery by now. Admittedly, MOXI is not a major downtime treatment, which means I can get back to work and regular activities right away and my skin isn’t swollen, red, or oozing for days to weeks. This is one of the many reasons I like it. It leaves skin’s outer layer intact while treating deeper layers whereas ablative lasers break skin’s surface.
That said, you do have to make some skincare swaps for the next couple of weeks. I switch out my usualretinoid,exfoliating acids, and potentially irritants such asvitamin Cfor gentle ingredients such as niacinamide and ceramides that calm skin and strengthen skin’s barrier. Skin feels pretty dry during the healing process, so the next 10 days are all about hydration and protection.
Here’s my skin care routine for the first week and the products I use every time to help my skin recover and repair.
Day 1: Treatment Day
Your skin is numbed for MOXI, so it’s very tolerable, but afterward, my skin feels hot and spicy and looks red, like I got abad sunburn. To help take down the sting, I useRevision CMT Post-Procedure Creama few times a day. It’s a neurocosmetic, which means it’s designed to work with nerve endings and receptors in your skin to reduce inflammation and make the skin feel more comfortable after laser treatments and other procedures. After applying, my skin still looks red, but it stings less.
Other than the Revision CMT, I’m hands-off on day one.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Days 2–4: Healing starts
Starting on day two, the sting is typically gone. It feels dry, like sandpaper, and I see little brown specks that look like coffee grounds. These are called MENDs, or microscopic epidermal necrotic debris. It’s dead skin and pigment that my skin is pushing out.Brown spotslook darker, and my skin has an overall bronzy look. If I had any broken capillaries treated with BBL, those may look more red for a few days, too. As tempting as it is, I don’t exfoliate the MENDs. They flake off naturally, especially in the shower.
I cleanse with a gentle, non-foaming cleanser. I’m currently usingPrequel Gleanser, which is extra hydrating thanks to glycerin. After cleansing, I apply Plated Calm Serum, which has platelet-derived exosome technology to support skin’s natural repair process. I’ve noticed that since I added this serum to my post-laser regimen, the healing process goes a little faster. That sandpapery-feel will disappear by day seven rather than day 10.I continue to use it until my skin feels smooth.
For moisturizer, I stick with a basic one (no irritating activities) that helps strengthen the skin barrier. I especially likeLa Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer, which has a mix of ceramides, glycerin, niacinamide, and the brand’s soothing prebiotic thermal water.
Freshly lasered skin is more vulnerable to the sun, so sun protection is especially important. I use mineral formulas because they won’t irritate my skin. I likeEltaMD UV Clear SPF 46or ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless Ultralight Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50if I’m leaving the house and want my skin to look a little more even. You can wear makeup after the first day, but I try to lay off and let my skin do its thing.
Day 5: My skin is getting softer
After day five, my skin starts getting softer as the sandpaper feeling starts to disappear. There are fewer visible MENDs. I continue to use the same products. When I’m outside, I wear a hat and glasses to protect my fresh skin from the sun.
Days 7-10: Almost normal
By now, my skin is looking brighter and more even. Any newer superficial freckles have disappeared, and more stubborn brown spots are much lighter, if not gone. As time goes by, my pores appear tighter, too, as the collagen-building effects of the treatment continue over the next few months. After 10 days, I’ll restart my usual routine, which includesretinaland weekly exfoliation.
A few more gentle, post-procedure products
More From The Strategist
- The Back-to-School Hall of Fame
- The Best Things Strategist Editors Have Bought This Year (So Far)
- Everything You Need to Outfit Your College Dorm
- The Strategist Summer 100
The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
