Retinol products can be great at exfoliating and improving the tone of your skin, but they may also increase its sensitivity, so it is wise to discontinue its use prior to any laser treatments.
Your Entre Nous aesthetician will discuss your skincare regimen and advise on any adjustments necessary before your co2 laser treatment.
1. 24 hours before
For people seeking to diminish fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, sun damage, enlarged pores, acne scars or other skin imperfections, laser treatments may offer effective solutions. While CoolPeel fractional CO2 laser resurfacing treatments may be less invasive than their traditional counterparts, be mindful when selecting skin products prior to and following treatment with these lasers.
As part of your preparation for laser treatment, it is wise to avoid products containing retinol for 24 hours prior to treatment. Retinols may cause skin sensitivity that will compromise its results. In this period you should also limit sun exposure as well as any irritants like excessive heat or steam that could potentially compromise them as well.
Before beginning laser treatment, it’s essential that you use an effective moisturizer. A dermatologist may advise using an oil-free or gel-based product which won’t clog your pores allowing your skin to absorb all the necessary ingredients found within.
Retinol works by exfoliating the outer layers of skin. This process removes dead cells that cause your complexion to appear younger and healthier while stimulating collagen production to decrease fine lines and wrinkles. To get maximum effectiveness from this product, it should be applied right before bedtime – this ensures it has time to work before being exposed to other skincare products or external factors that could interfere with its effectiveness.
As soon as you’re ready to use a retinol product, start slowly by increasing its concentration as your skin adjusts. Be especially wary if using it with exfoliants like alpha-hydroxy acids as this combination could cause serious skin irritation as well as worsening side effects like dryness, redness, and itching.
Care should also be taken when taking retinol with sunscreen. Retinols can increase sun sensitivity and therefore requires extra diligence in applying and reapplying sunscreen on an ongoing basis. Broad-spectrum sunscreens are especially recommended.
2. 3 days before
Retinols can be an excellent way to maintain young, healthy skin. But their use should only be undertaken if used appropriately or when prescribed prematurely. When receiving laser treatments, it is wise to forgo any products containing retinol for several days prior and post procedure in order to protect your skin and avoid irritating or damaging it during the healing process.
If you are uncertain if your product contains retinol, check its label or contact its manufacturer for more information. It is also advisable to avoid tanning or heavy sun exposure prior to laser treatment as this increases risks and slows recovery time; if necessary, wear sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 15.
CO2 laser skin rejuvenation treatments use pulses of light energy to stimulate collagen production and achieve glowing, healthy skin. It penetrates deep layers of the skin to reduce fine lines and wrinkles as well as pigmentation issues; scars may be healed as well as stretch marks reduced and other signs of aging diminished by these techniques.
The procedure itself is relatively quick and generally well tolerated by most individuals, though some mild discomfort may arise briefly during or following treatment. Following surgery, rest for several days while applying plenty of moisturizers to keep skin hydrated and avoid exposure to sunlight by using broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ protection every day.
Before your skin has fully recovered, any skincare products containing acids (including benzoyl peroxide and Differin) or retinol-like substances, such as Differin should be avoided. In addition, it would be wise to forgoing any harsh exfoliants or any invasive treatments like chemical peels until your complexion has returned to health.
If you need guidance in selecting and using the proper products and treatments, speak to an esthetician from Entre Nous. They will offer comprehensive consultation services and suggest specific modifications for your skincare regime.
3. 1 week before
If you are uncertain which treatment you have coming up, consult your dermatologist. Most likely they’ll advise using retinol prior to laser procedures as long as you stop taking it the night before; otherwise they might recommend holding off until later in the week – either option should work just fine.
Stop using products with acids or benzoyl peroxide that could irritate skin further and impede healing, as these could potentially exacerbate existing issues and create new ones. Avoiding skin reactions as much as possible will ensure optimal results are reached.
Some patients experience prolonged redness after receiving CO2 laser treatments, which is normal but not ideal. This could result in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Luckily, managing and preventing this condition should be relatively straightforward if you follow your dermatologist’s instructions (not using exfoliating scrubs and using sunscreen with at least 30 SPF protection daily).
An important consideration when choosing moisturizer is your skin type. For oily skin types, non-comedogenic (non-pore clogging) moisturizers are generally best, while dry skin types might prefer something richer like cream. And those with combination skin should find one that can meet both parts of their face.
Dr. Rahman also prescribes topical steroid treatments such as Clobetasol Propionate to reduce inflammation and swelling after laser treatments, such as Clobetasol Propionate for anti-wrinkle creams or laser procedures. She instructs her patients not to take any medications that increase bleeding such as Ibuprofen and Aspirin except when medically necessary.
After receiving CO2 laser treatments, it’s essential that your skin be protected with at least SPF 50-60 protection and moisturized daily with high-quality products like Neocutis Bio-restorative Skin Cream or Line Tamer by Colorescience. Your retinol regimen should resume around two weeks following your laser session; however, be sure to reapply sunscreen regularly throughout the day (especially important during winter when skin becomes dry and susceptible to sun damage).
4. 2 weeks before
Retinol should be discontinued at least two weeks prior to laser treatment, however it’s essential that you inform the Body Details team about your skincare routine so they can work with you to minimize irritation. In general, vitamin C or anti-ageing products that do not contain retinoid are generally fine as long as sunscreen is worn both daytime and at nighttime.
After receiving CO2 laser therapy, it’s essential that the area be kept clean and dry until healing occurs. While redness, swelling, and scabs may occur at times during recovery period, if these persist or worsen consult your dermatologist immediately as this could indicate infection.
Scabs formed during this stage can be especially uncomfortable to pick at, so it is best to let your skin heal naturally. Therefore, it is advised not to use physical exfoliators until two weeks have passed; gentle chemical exfoliants containing AHA, BHA or PHA will provide greater benefit in terms of rebuilding the protective barrier damaged during laser treatments.
Final tip: It’s important to avoid medications or supplements that affect blood clotting as these could increase your risk of bleeding during surgery and prolong healing processes. These include over-the-counter supplements like fish oil and turmeric as well as herbal remedies like Ginkgo biloba.
For optimal results after fractional carbon dioxide laser treatment, multiple treatments may be necessary. Over three to five months, you should witness results improve gradually as your regimen changes based on these tips and your dermatologist’s advice. To maintain these results and preserve them for as long as possible, please follow them carefully and seek professional advice regarding an individual skin regimen tailored specifically for you.
