How to Care for Your Skin After Aesthetic Treatments

When it comes to aesthetic treatments, what you do in the days and weeks following them is as important as the treatment itself. For the best results, there are certain things you’ll want to do—or avoid doing—that will help your skin recover faster and reduce the risk of side effects like hyperpigmentation or infection. Of course, you should always speak to your provider about aftercare instructions following your specific treatment. However, here is a general overview of best practices for taking care of your skin after an aesthetic treatment.  

Why Aftercare Is Important 

Skin resurfacing, photofacials, and other energy-based laser treatments are the most sought-after aesthetic treatments to give you a smooth, glowing complexion. Though these treatments employ different technologies to address separate concerns, they share in common the need for specific post-treatment care to maximize results. These treatments, along with many others, can be harsh on the skin, in order to promote the body’s healing mechanism and kickstart the production of collagen. While the results are worth it, the first day or two after these treatments may include red, inflamed, and irritated skin. Investing in a little extra TLC during this period can help heal and protect your skin. This is not just to maximize results, but also to prevent further irritation or risk of infection. 

Skin Care Tips for After Your Treatment 

Taking care of your skin after an aesthetic treatment is simple and only requires a few adjustments to your regular routine. Above all, be gentle and give your skin time to heal. Here are our top tips for post-treatment aftercare: 

• Give your skin a break from using harsh products like retinol or exfoliants, both chemical and physical. You can slowy reintroduce these into your routine once the skin is fully healed.  
• Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser, and wash with lukewarm water that isn’t too hot or too cold. To dry, pat gently with a soft towel instead of rubbing.  
• Try a topical aloe vera gel, which can help soothe dry or inflamed skin after a laser treatment or chemical peel. 
• Use a soothing, rich moisturizer to keep skin hydrated and protected, and reapply regularly throughout the day and before you go to bed. 
• Incorporate a product with ceramides and peptides, which can help repair skin and restore the moisture barrier. 
• Avoid the sun if possible, and ensure you wear sunscreen during the day as your skin may be more vulnerable to sun exposure.  
• Avoid excessive touching of your skin or coming into contact with irritants or rough fabrics. 
• Avoid excessive sweating. 

Skin Resurfacing Treatments With Venus Viva™ MD 

Venus Viva™ MD skin resurfacing treatments are powered by advanced NanoFractional Radio Frequency skin resurfacing technology to safely correct signs of skin damage, which improves the appearance of scars, visible pores, deep wrinkles, stretch marks, and uneven skin texture. Designed with patient comfort in mind, Venus Viva™ MD skin resurfacing treatments require very minimal downtime compared to other skin resurfacing treatments while still delivering exceptional results in just one 15-30 minute session. If you’ve been thinking about getting a skin resurfacing treatment, you couldn’t be in better hands—our cutting-edge technologies are branded best-in-class, and our industry-leading devices are trusted by medical aesthetic professionals around the world to deliver amazing results, safely.  

Venus Concept’s skin resurfacing treatments may be slightly uncomfortable, but not painful. During the treatment, you will feel tiny pins on your skin followed by a little zap. You’ll feel intense heat, similar to the feeling of sunburn, and your face will look red right after the treatment. For more aggressive treatments, you may get a topical numbing cream to reduce any discomfort. After the treatment, your skin will be red and feel warm afterward, similar to a sunburn. 

Our post-care recommendations are to avoid touching or scratching the treatment area. For the first 24 hours, only apply products that are expressly recommended by your treatment provider, as there are many topicals that could cause irritation. After 24 hours, you should apply sunscreen (at least SPF 30), preferably a mineral sunscreen. Also, avoid rigorous exercise and hot baths or massages on the treatment area for the first two days after your session. Make sure to keep your skin clean and protected from the sun, and avoid any sort of tanning.  

Ready for smooth, glowing skin? Use the search field below to find a provider of Venus Viva™ MD skin resurfacing treatments near you today.