Gearing up to get a laser skin rejuvenation treatment like Sciton Moxi or BBL Hero? To get the most out of your treatments and maximize your laser rejuvenation results, there are just a few quick skincare prep tips to follow in the weeks leading up to your appointment.
1. Avoid Tanning before Your Laser Treatment
Your skin should not be tanned during your laser skin treatment procedure, so be sure to avoid all forms of tanning — including outdoor and indoor tanning, as well as sunless tanning products — for several weeks before your appointment.
Tanned skin can increase the risk of hyperpigmentation after your laser treatment and can hinder your final results. Besides, tanning only exacerbates the very same skin problems that lasers treat, including wrinkles, dark spots and uneven skin tone and texture.
After your laser skin treatment, you will need to continue staying out of the sun and being diligent about sunscreen use to promote skin healing and maximize your results. In the long run, avoiding indoor and outdoor tanning will help to keep your skin looking and feeling youthful, bright and healthy.
2. Don’t Schedule Other Skincare Treatments First
In addition to avoiding tanning, you will also need to avoid getting other med spa treatments such as chemical peels or dermabrasion for a few weeks prior to your laser treatment. These treatments can cause temporary damage to your skin that stimulates the natural healing process. However, this temporary damage can negatively affect your laser treatment results.
Wait until your skin has fully healed from previous skin treatments before moving forward with laser rejuvenation.
3. Don’t Use Retinol Products for 3 to 5 Days
Similarly, retinoid products tend to cause skin flaking and dryness, so your laser treatment provider will likely recommend that you skip using these types of products for several days before your laser rejuvenation appointment. Check with him or her to see if there are other products or ingredients that you should discontinue using in the days leading up to your laser treatment.
Continue skipping retinoid products for several days after your laser treatment, and check with your provider about specific aftercare skincare steps to follow. When you do begin using retinoids again, gradually reintroduce them to your skin to avoid unwanted flaking and dryness.
Caring for Your Skin Post-Laser Treatment
While many laser treatments, including Moxi and BBL, do not require extensive downtime, taking extra care of your skin will aid in the healing process and help you achieve optimal results. Your laser specialist should provide you with detailed aftercare guidelines specific to the type of laser treatment you received, though these are a few general tips to keep in mind:
- Avoid the sun, and wear sunscreen if you must be outdoors or near a window during the day.
- Keep your skin clean using a gentle cleanser. Ask your provider for cleanser recommendations.
- Keep your head elevated to help reduce facial swelling.
- Use a cold compress to reduce redness, swelling and tenderness.
Dr. Eric Mariotti, a board-certified plastic surgeon, is known throughout the East Bay for his genuine compassion and the remarkable results he creates. Women and men come to his plastic surgery practice in Concord because he is highly trained and experienced, and has a caring personality. His patients think of him as a down-to-earth guy who happens to be a talented plastic surgeon.
