These steps help your skin heal well and protect your result. If anything concerns you, call us. We would always rather hear from you.
After Your Treatment
- Keep the treated area moist at all times. Use a gentle moisturizing cream through the day, and reapply whenever the skin feels dry or tight.
- Expect redness and some swelling for the first day or two. Swelling is often most noticeable the morning after treatment.
- For swelling, sleep with your head slightly elevated for the first few nights.
- Use ice as needed for swelling and discomfort. Place a cotton cloth between the ice and your skin.
- Over the next few days the skin will feel rough, like fine sandpaper, and take on a bronzed look. Tiny dark specks may appear. This is expected. Do not pick or scrub. It flakes off on its own over about three to five days.
- Any areas that feel rough should be kept especially moist. Use your moisturizing cream, and if a rough spot needs more, add a light coat of Aquaphor over it.
- Starting 24 hours after treatment, wash gently with an ultra-gentle cleanser twice a day, and pat dry.
- Keep sun exposure to none until all peeling has stopped.
- Wait at least 72 hours before applying sunscreen (SPF), then use it daily.
- For discomfort, you may take 800 mg of Advil every 6 hours with food, or 1000 mg of Tylenol every 6 hours with food.
- Do not use any exfoliating topicals, including retinols (such as Retin-A), glycolic acid, or facial scrubs, for one month after treatment.
- A cool-mist humidifier helps keep the skin comfortable while it heals.
- Wait to wear makeup until the skin has stopped peeling and you no longer need Aquaphor.
- Call the office immediately with any concerns, or go to your nearest emergency room.
Concealing Redness
- Once the area has healed, redness may last a few days to a few weeks. To cover it, apply a green skin primer after moisturizing, then concealer and foundation on top.