Post-procedure skincare is essential.
Whether you underwent a laser treatment, chemical peel, injectable, or other type of treatment, what you do after you get home can mean the difference between being happy or unhappy with your results.
Let’s look into what happens to the skin during a cosmetic procedure, and how you can support the healing journey and restore your youthful glow.
Post-Procedure Skincare: What Happens During the Treatment
Cosmetic procedures, while aimed at enhancing your appearance, often involve intentional damage to the skin to stimulate healing and regeneration. The damage may manifest in various forms, depending on the type and intensity of the procedure.
The types of damage created during a procedure may include any or all of the following.
Inflammation and Redness
Many procedures trigger an inflammatory response in the skin. If you undergo a chemical peel, laser resurfacing, or microdermabrasion, these procedures deliberately induce controlled injury to the skin’s surface layers. That triggers an inflammatory response as the body rushes immune cells to the site of damage to begin repair processes.
Signs of inflammatory damage include temporary redness, warmth, swelling, and discomfort.
Epidermal Disruption
Procedures like chemical peels, laser treatments, and intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy target the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis) to remove damaged cells and stimulate cellular renewal. This controlled damage prompts the skin to shed its outermost layers, revealing fresher, smoother skin underneath.
This disruption of the outer layer is essential for enhancing the skin’s texture and tone but requires careful post-procedure care to minimize discomfort and support healing. You may notice flakiness, dryness, and increased susceptibility to irritation.
Collagen Remodeling
Treatments like microneedling, fractional laser therapy, and radiofrequency treatments create controlled micro-injuries in the deeper layers of the skin (dermis). This stimulates the production of new collagen and elastin fibers, which are essential for maintaining skin firmness, elasticity, and resilience.
These treatments often yield improvements in the skin’s texture and tightness over time, but they can initially cause redness, swelling, and mild discomfort as the skin undergoes remodeling. Patience and proper skin care are key to maximizing the benefits while minimizing downtime and potential side effects.
Hyperpigmentation
Certain cosmetic procedures—particularly those involving heat or light energy—can trigger changes in skin pigmentation. Laser treatments targeting dark spots, for instance, can lead to temporary darkening or lightening of the skin, known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation.
The after-care for these types of procedures involves diligent sun protection to minimize the risk of uneven skin tone or discoloration.
Post-Procedure Skincare: The Process of Wound Healing
After undergoing a cosmetic procedure, the skin enters a dynamic phase of wound healing. The process typically unfolds like this:
Homeostasis
The initial phase of wound healing begins immediately after tissue injury, aiming to staunch bleeding and prevent further blood loss. Blood vessels constrict to minimize blood flow, while platelets gather at the site of injury to form a temporary clot. This is the body’s first line of defense against blood loss and infection, and typically lasts a few minutes to hours, depending on the extent of the injury.
Inflammation
While inflammation was listed as part of the damage above, it’s also part of the healing process. Immune cells gather at the injury site, removing debris, pathogens, and damaged tissues while releasing other cells that help initiate tissue repair.
Angiogenesis
This refers to the formation of new blood vessels that help supply oxygen, nutrients, and immune cells to the wound. By enhancing blood flow, angiogenesis promotes the delivery of essential growth factors and nutrients necessary for repair. This process typically peaks within the first week after injury.
Epithelialization
This involves the migration and proliferation of epithelial skin cells from the wound edges to resurface the injured area. This helps restore the skin’s outer barrier, protecting against infection and minimizing fluid loss from the wound site. The newly formed epithelium gradually thickens and matures, eventually resembling the surrounding skin in appearance and function.
Collagen Formation
Collagen provides strength and resilience to tissues. Fibroblasts migrate to the wound and begin synthesizing new collagen fibers, which restore tissue integrity, promote wound closure, and minimize scar formation. The proper alignment of collagen fibers makes the skin stronger and allows it to look smooth and tight.
Contraction
Gradually, the wound edges draw closer together. Proper post-procedure care helps minimize scar formation during this process.
Post-Procedure Skincare: Steps to Support Skin Recovery
How can you make sure your skin recovers properly?
Post-Procedure Skincare: Follow Your Dermatologist’s Instructions
Your dermatologist or skincare specialist will provide specific post-procedure guidelines tailored to your individual needs. Adhere to these instructions to ensure a smooth recovery.
Redness, dryness, itching, irritation, swelling, tightness, peeling, and scabbing are some of the side effects you may experience after a procedure. Choosing the right products can help you lessen these effects.
Many dermatologists recommend our CV Skinlabs products pre-and post-care. Your dermatologist will likely suggest an occlusive ointment like Restorative Skin Balm – a petrolatum-free healing ointment.
Post-Procedure Skincare: Embrace Gentle Cleansing
Opt for mild, non-abrasive cleansers to gently cleanse the skin without stripping away its natural oils or exacerbating sensitivity. Use a creamy cleanser and gentle motions with tepid or warm water to avoid damaging your tender skin.
Post-Procedure Skincare: Keep the Skin Hydrated
Proper hydration is essential for a successful and quick recovery. It can also help in maintaining skin barrier function, preventing moisture loss, and supporting cellular repair and regeneration.
After cosmetic procedures, the skin’s natural moisture barrier may be compromised, leading to dryness, flakiness, and increased susceptibility to irritation.
Using gentle, hydrating skincare products helps replenish lost moisture, soothe inflammation, and promote a healthy skin barrier. Be especially careful here—the last thing your skin needs is to come into contact with products or ingredients that may further irritate your already sensitive complexion.
CV Skinlabs products are ideal for use after cosmetic procedures. As noted above, many dermatologists recommend our products pre-and post-care because they’re so gentle and safe.
Calming Moisture has a high antioxidant activity and is designed to calm the skin, reduce redness, and soothe throbbing areas. It’s designed to repair, nourish, and protect delicate, injured skin, helping to support its natural ability to produce new, healthy elastin and collagen. Use post-procedure and add to your regular routine to maintain healthy radiant skin.
Post-Procedure Skincare: Soothe Itching and Burning
If your skin is inflamed, itching, or burning, take care not to scratch or rub it. Instead, use our Rescue + Relief Spray mist to provide an immediate cooling sensation. Water lily and aloe reduce swelling and help quell the itch almost instantly.
This solution is easy and comfortable to apply and will help reduce the risk of infection. It also provides additional soothing hydration to the skin.
Post-Procedure Skincare: Address Cracked, Dry, and Inflamed Areas
You may want to stock up on our Restorative Skin Balm before your treatment. It’s an occlusive moisturizing and healing ointment ideal for sensitive and post-procedure skin. It creates a breathable protective barrier to help prevent water loss, and promotes speedy healing for optimal recovery. It’s a great option after laser treatments as it protects the skin from environmental assaults without clogging pores.
Dermatologists recommend Restorative Skin Balm in place of products that contain petrolatum or other potentially harmful ingredients. Restorative Skin Balm is not only petrolatum-free, it contains many healing ingredients to help nourish, soothe, and repair skin quickly, reducing downtime.
Apply immediately and regularly after procedures like laser treatments, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels for faster and healthier recovery.
Post-Procedure Skincare: Protect from UV Exposure
Shielding your skin from the sun is paramount post-procedure, as UV radiation can exacerbate inflammation and compromise healing. Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen daily and avoid prolonged heat and sun exposure.
Post-Procedure Skincare: Avoid Harsh Exfoliation
Steer clear of abrasive scrubs or exfoliants—as well as acids or chemicals—until your skin has fully healed. These can exacerbate irritation and disrupt the healing process.
Post-Procedure Skincare: Stay Hydrated and Nourished
Drink plenty of water and consume a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats to support overall skin health and recovery.
Post-Procedure Skincare: Be Patient and Consistent
Remember that skin healing takes time, and the results may not be immediately apparent. Be patient, stay consistent with your skincare routine, and trust in the body’s innate capacity to regenerate and rejuvenate.
By adopting these practices and prioritizing self-care, you can optimize the outcomes of your cosmetic procedures and unveil radiant, youthful-looking skin.
Have you gone through a cosmetic procedure that required careful post-procedure care?
Featured image by Cottonbro Studio via Pexels.