Laser skin treatments create smoother skin with a more even tone. But they don’t guard against sun damage and other issues caused by our hot Atlanta climate that led you to seek the treatments in the first place. That will require attentive skin care after your laser treatment and beyond. (Plus, taking care of your skin after getting a laser treatment can prolong your results.)
In this blog post, I’ll discuss the short-term side effects many patients experience after a laser skin rejuvenation procedure and how to care for them. I’ll also discuss ongoing habits that can help extend the treatment’s results.
Post-Procedure Side Effects
I recently wrote a blog post about the multiple benefits of laser skin treatments. Nearly all patients think the benefits are well worth the side effects. The most common of those side effects include:
- Slight redness
- Swelling
- Stinging (similar to a sunburn)
These aftereffects are usually short-lived and easily manageable.
How To Care for Your Skin After Laser Treatment
A few simple actions can ease any post-treatment side effects.
- An ice pack or cold, damp cloth usually helps ease redness, swelling, and discomfort.
- An over-the-counter pain reliever may also help if the skin is especially sensitive.
- Avoid exfoliating the skin and applying makeup for at least 4 to 5 days after the treatment to allow time for microscopic wounds to heal.
You should apply moisturizer to the treatment area to prevent scabbing and speed up the healing process.
Prolonging Your Results
Once you’ve undergone a laser skin treatment, it will be beneficial to follow these tips, which are habits everyone should adopt to keep their skin looking youthful and healthy.
Apply sunscreen: It’s the mantra you’ve probably heard all your life—and for good reason. Sun damage is the primary cause of wrinkles and other signs of aging. The UV index in Atlanta in the summer is usually between 7 and 11, which is very intense. That means your skin is extra susceptible to sun damage and sunburn. You can help protect your skin by wearing a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 every day. If you can, stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is at its strongest.
Remain hydrated: Hydrated skin is healthy skin. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is good for your overall health and can help your skin look youthful. Once again, this is especially important when the humidity and heat are high and you’re sweating more. Getting regular Hydrafacial® treatments can also help keep your skin hydrated and supple.
Be active: Maybe going to the gym consistently just isn’t part of your lifestyle. That’s OK, but exercise is important for a number of reasons, and keeping your skin refreshed is one of them. Hike the Cochran Shoals Trail on the weekends, bicycle along the BeltLine’s Eastside Trail from Piedmont Park to Ponce City Market, or just take brisk walks around your neighborhood—whatever gets your heart pumping and helps you break a sweat.
Take supplements: Supplement a diet rich in healthy proteins—such as seafood, eggs, meat, and soy—with vitamin supplements that can help increase collagen production.
Sleep, sleep, sleep: There’s a reason they call it “beauty sleep.” Lack of regular, adequate sleep plays a major role in various health issues, including weight gain. And it may also be the culprit when it comes to skin concerns like puffiness or a lackluster appearance. The occasional night out is OK, but good sleep habits are essential.
You can see for yourself the kinds of results we get for laser skin treatment patients at our Atlanta medical spa and plastic surgery practice by browsing our gallery of before-and-after photos.
To learn if you can benefit from laser skin rejuvenation, contact us using the online form to book now or call us at (404) 233-3937 to schedule an appointment.
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