SKIN CARE TO OPTIMIZE LASER & IPL RESULTS
Skincare to optimize laser results
Optimal skincare using basics such as retinol, niacinamide, vitamin C, & alpha-hydroxy acids can optimize & prolong the results you have received from procedures such as laser resurfacing or chemical peels. A targeted yet simple skincare routine augmented with light-based procedures can maintain skin health.
**I am not discussing SPF, moisturizers or cleansers here, but these are the cornerstone of a basic skincare routine
Why is skincare important before & after procedures?
A well-formulated skincare routine will get you longer-lasting results from any skin-directed laser or IPL procedure.
Any good skincare routine should aim to protect, preserve, supplement, and correct your skin.
What does retinol do?
Retinol is the most frequently recommended skin vitamin. This is a form of vitamin A (which forms the ABCs of skin care) Retinol has the following benefits:
Benefits of Using Retinol
Reduces signs of aging: Because retinol enhances skin cell turnover, you may notice a more youthful quality to your skin.
Improves the texture of your skin: By boosting collagen production, your skin will have more structure and strength. Plus, the cells on the surface of your skin will be replaced more quickly, helping smooth your skin and reduce the dull, dry look of dead skin.
Evens skin tone: Retinol can not only smooth the texture of your skin but the tone as well. With continued use, retinol works to fade hyperpigmentation (brown spots and patches) and give the skin a smoother look.
Clears acne: Retinol decreases the function of overactive oil glands and unclogs pores. This clears skin, makes pores look smaller, and prevents breakouts. Plus, it may boost the potency of active ingredients in other acne-fighting medications, so if you use it in conjunction with other products, you might see amplified results.
Boosts collagen production: This helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and skin laxity. At the same time, it prevents the loss of the collagen and elastin we already have by slowing the enzyme that breaks them down.
Reverses the effects of sun damage: The antioxidants in retinol can help repair sun-damaged skin, such as lightening dark spots.
How soon can you start or restart retinoids after a procedure?
Start retinoids after your skin has completely healed. I suggest using it every alternate day. You can dilute your usual application amount by half mixing it with your moisturizer of choice. This is a guide as to when to restart your retinol—retinoids.
Very gentle lasers & procedures: Radio Frequency: Restart 24 to 72 hours
Gentle lasers & procedures: microneedling, Infrared, IPL, chemical peels; restart days 4–6.
Medium downtime procedures: erbium fractional resurfacing, restart days 5–9.
Why is niacinamide so beneficial?
Niacinamide, or vitamin B3, is a great ingredient to add to your lineup. Why? It has anti-inflammatory properties and helps with skin barrier function. This is a go-to ingredient if you have sensitive skin.
In the context of post-procedure skin care, B3 can be added as early as 3 days after Er: Yag fractional laser resurfacing . In fact, this ingredient can be used to reduce pimples, spots, & dots after light based procedures
What is the big deal with Vitamin C?
Vitamin C, has many profound effects on skin health. This ‘active’ is part of the ABCs of skin care. it has the following actions:
Collagen builder. Promotes cells to produce collagen, elastin & hyaluronic acid.
Decreases collagen breakdown via regulation of TIMP-tissue inhibitor metalloproteinases.
Reduces melanocyte activity by inhibiting the tyrosinase enzyme; hence, it reduces pigment output.
Antioxidant in vitro, & forms part of the trio of ferulic, ascorbic and tocopherol.
There are various types of vitamin C, but L-ascorbic acid can be more irritating than other forms.
As a guide, L-ascorbic acid timing is as follows:
Radio frequency: next night
IPL/Chemical Peels: wait 4–8 days
Post Er:Yag resurfacing : wait 7 days
Do not use ascorbic acid if you are still red, have sensitive skin, or have rosacea. There are much better types of vitamin c serums for you
Why do I like AHAs and BHA’s?
AHAs including glycolic, lactic & mandelic acids and BHA salicylic acid are great exfoliants. This improves the appearance of dull skin by accelerating the turnover of cells and can stimulate collagen production.
The application of AHAs can ‘prime’ the skin, increasing the bioavailability of other topicals, including pigment correctors, antioxidants, & other molecules.
As a guide, I prefer the use of AHA and BHA’s 1-3 times a week, depending on the concentration.I will guide you through the types of skin acids, their concentrations, and their application frequencies.
Very gentle lasers & procedures: Radio Frequency: Restart 24 to 72 hours
Gentle lasers & procedures: microneedling, Infrared, IPL, chemical peels; restart days 4–6.
Medium downtime procedures: erbium fractional resurfacing, restart days 5–9.
Are skin procedures such as laser resurfacing better than skin care?
Skin care products are great for inflammatory skin conditions. Products are better for conditions like acne, rosacea (except for red veins), sensitive skin, melasma pigment, oily skin etc.
Skin directed procedures are better if you have volume loss (fillers), sun damage, deep pigmentation such as sun spots, freckles, age spot, textural changes including scars, pits, enlarged pores, etc.
Often procedures augment products and vice versa. For example pigmentation is best treated with a combination of products, tablets & laser procedures.
Inflammatory acne is best treated with LED light therapy & vascular lasers to reduce the inflammatory response whilst waiting for topicals / lifestyle changes to take over.
Age related skin concerns including sun spots, pigment, wrinkles & textural changes are best addressed with lasers or peels, but maintained with good skin care & smaller procedures.
In summary, products complement procedure. They are not mutually exclusive.
What simple steps can you take to maintain the results you have from procedures?
Apart from the homecare, you can augment your post IPL/Laser results with treatments s with little or no downtime. Here are some of my favourites-
Superficial Chemical Peels lunchtime chemical peels with no downtime. Noon Aesthetics peels can maintain the results you have from laser resurfacing
Facials: They can be tailored to improve the delivery of vitamins and hydration to the layers of skin.
RF: A simple, no downtime procedure that can help maintain skin tone, & provide ongoing skin firmness.
I will guide you through what skin directed procedures you should have to help maintain your results.
