what to do after fraxel treatment

How do I take care of my skin after Fraxel Laser treatment?

treatment until you go to bed. Sleep elevated the first night. Use as many pillows as you can tolerate. Redness – Most redness resolves during the first week after treatment, but a rosy “glow” can remain for several weeks. If you wish, you can apply makeup immediately after treatment to minimize the redness. Dry Skin – Your skin may feel dry, peel, or flake. You may notice a …

What to expect after Fraxel treatment?

Feb 05, 2021 · Use gentle cleansers and moisturizers Take doctor-recommended pain relievers to reduce discomfort Sleep with your head elevated to reduce puffiness Take vitamin C after your procedure – it helps increase the production of collagen Use cold compresses to reduce redness and swelling Contact your ...

What should I not do after Fraxel treatment?

Jan 29, 2020 · Moisturizing is important after any type of laser treatment; just make sure to stick with fairly plain, fragrance-free formulas. (Anything geared toward sensitive skin is a good bet.) Since the skin’s moisture barrier takes a beating during Fraxel, Dr. MacGregor also recommends using a product that contains ceramides, which are essential ingredients for helping to repair …

What conditions can Fraxel repair be used to treat?

Nov 10, 2021 · What happens after your fraxel laser treatment? The recovery time of fraxel laser treatment varies depending on the type of laser used. If an ablative laser is used (Fraxel Repair) the typical healing time is a week, and you can expect some redness and swelling (similar to that of a sunburn) the first few days after treatment.

How do I take care of my skin after Fraxel?

What You Can (And Can't) Do After FraxelProp yourself up with pillows if you choose to lie down and relax. ... Use ice packs on your skin throughout the day in 15-20 minute increments.Stay out of the sun. ... Wear sunscreen! ... Stay away from any harsh cleansers for the rest of the day, but apply moisturizer when you need it.More items...

What helps Fraxel heal faster?

Keeping a light moisturizer on your skin throughout the first week after your Fraxel laser treatment is an important aspect of hydrating and rejuvenating your skin, but you should avoid heavy moisturizers, makeup, and any type of exfoliant to avoid slowing the healing process.

Should I moisturize after Fraxel?

Keep your skin moisturized, especially while it is peeling. Post Laser gel or Aquaphor Healing Ointment (available OTC) can be applied several times a day. If your skin is acne prone, use a lighter moisturizer, such as Cetaphil or Cerave.

How do I wash my face after Fraxel?

You've taken the first step toward more healthy and radiant looking skin by having this laser treatment. Now it is important to help your skin heal quickly and protect your skin investment. On the night following treatment, you should wash the treated area gently with lukewarm water and avoid hot water in these areas.

What should I eat after Fraxel?

Packing your diet full of seaweed following your laser treatment is one of the best diet changes you can make, as it will help moisturize your skin from the inside and keep you looking fresh and rejuvenated for as long as possible.Jun 21, 2018

Can I use Vaseline after Fraxel?

After Treatment: Two Weeks * Some moisturizers, such as Vaseline or Aquaphor, are occlusive and too heavy for your skin. To prevent unnecessary clogged pores, our patients are free to run their moisturizer of choice by us.Oct 6, 2019

What should I avoid after Fraxel?

Keep treated area clean; avoid smoking; excessive alcohol consumption, excessive exercise, perspiring, swimming, or exposing skin to heat and sun. All of your skin care products should be non-irritating and non-clogging for the first week or so after a Fraxel treatment.

Can I drink coffee after Fraxel?

Another way to make sure your skin is properly hydrated after Fraxel is to drink plenty of fluids, especially water. You might want to steer clear of diuretics that can cause moisture loss, such as coffee, alcohol or other caffeinated beverages.Sep 26, 2018

Can you use vitamin C serum after Fraxel?

AFTER THE TREATMENT. During the healing process (5-7 days), AVOID ACTIVE PRODUCTS as they may cause irritation to the treated area. This includes all of the following: any form of retinol, hydroquinone, salicylic/glycolic/lactic acid, vitamin C, or Benzoyl Peroxide.

When can I shower after Fraxel?

24 hours before treatment. Showers can be taken, but please try to avoid hot water and direct shower spray to the treatment area for 48-72 hours following treatment. Avoid all saunas and hot tubs. Avoid strenuous exercise for 48 hours (this includes hot yoga).Aug 5, 2021

How long does it take for Fraxel to heal?

Most patients complete this process 5 – 7 days after a treatment on the face. (On off-face areas, such as hands/arms, where healing is slower, the process may take up to 2 weeks.) redness resolves during the first week after treatment, but a rosy “glow” can remain for several weeks.

Can Fraxel damage your skin?

Because the Fraxel laser does damage your skin cells (in order for them to rejuvenate and improve your skin's appearance), you need to be certain to clean all treated areas several times a day – two to five, according to plasticsurgery.org – with saline or diluted vinegar solution, depending on your surgeon's ...Feb 5, 2021

What is the best way to protect your skin?

Protect the Skin. Protecting the skin means avoiding skin care products that can irritate it and cause inflammation. Aside from applying gentler moisturizers, patients should also use milder cleansers that don’t contain hydroxy acids or retinol.

How to get collagen from skin?

Take Oral Supplements. Fraxel treatment is effective when it comes to triggering the skin’s collagen production. Because of this, it is also helpful to ingest oral supplements – such as vitamin C – that can aid the collagen production.

Can you use moisturizer on your face?

But of course, it’s not enough to only wash your face and use moisturizers on the skin.

What to wear after laser treatment?

Wearing Tight Tops. Within the first few days after the laser treatment, it might be a challenge to pull the shirt over the head while avoiding contact with the face. This is why turtlenecks and other tight clothing are not recommended during the early stages of the recovery phase.

How long should I stay away from tanning beds after a tan?

After the procedure, it’s crucial to stay away from the sun and avoid tanning beds for a month or two. Sun exposure can damage the skin as it recovers from the treatment. It can result in textural changes and undue pigmentation. Always cover the face and other treated areas whenever stepping outside.

Is a fraxel laser invasive?

Since a Fraxel laser for face is a non-invasive treatment , there are fewer risks that accompany this procedure. However, the patient may experience the following minor side effects, especially in the first week:

What to ask when selecting a dermatologist or plastic surgeon?

It would help to ask about their credentials, training, as well as the photos of their successful treatments in the past.

What does it mean when you have a white bump on your face?

Although it’s tempting, do your best not to pick at your bumps or peel away the scaly, flaky patches. They are a sign that the treatment is working and are best left alone.

How to reduce swelling in face?

Elevating your head will help to drain any fluids, which reduces swelling. When you sleep, prop your head up with a few extra pillows so that you aren’t lying flat. Cold compresses or ice packs on your face can also help you get relief. Compresses will actually help your skin in a couple of ways.

Does laser skin removal remove skin cells?

Laser skin treatments, even non-ablative ones like the Fraxel laser, cause some changes in the skin. While a non-ablative laser treatment isn’t going to completely remove the outer layer of skin cells , it does cause micro-injuries just beneath the surface. Those micro-injuries are what trigger the rejuvenation process.

How does ice help with swelling?

First, they’ll help resolve swelling. Second, they’ll help to cool your skin. After Fraxel, the heat from the laser can make your skin feel warm to the touch. The coolness of the ice packs will help to cool it.

Does moisturizer clog pores?

What matters most is that the moisturizer will not clog your pores and does not contain any active, strong ingredients. Another way to make sure your skin is properly hydrated after Fraxel is to drink plenty of fluids, especially water.

How to keep your skin moist after a fraxel?

You’ll want to keep your skin moist and hydrated after a Fraxel treatment. To do that, you might need to change up your usual moisturizer. If you usually use serums or lotions that contain strong ingredients, such as retinol, switch to a gentler product until your provider lets you know it’s OK to switch back. Gentle lotions such as Skin Ceuticals Gentle Cleanser are usually recommended. What matters most is that the moisturizer will not clog your pores and does not contain any active, strong ingredients.

Can you remove hair after faxel?

Removing Hair After Fraxel. If you usually remove hair from your face, some methods of hair removal are OK after Fraxel and some are best avoided. Anything that can irritate the skin should be avoided for the first few weeks. That includes depilatory creams and waxing, which tends to remove the top layer of skin cells as well as the unwanted hair.

How to make your skin not clog?

Change to a gentle moisturizer, if you usually use heavy emollients or solutions that include ingredients like retinol. Make sure that whatever moisturizer you use is light and gentle , and does not clog your pores. Remember to moisturize from the inside, too.

Is laser skin treatment safe?

Laser skin treatments are an excellent way to improve the appearance of your skin. But having these treatments, though safe and widely effective, means you need to be aware of the aftereffects of treatment, how to care for your newly treated skin, and maybe most importantly , what not to do once you have had your treatment.

How to heal skin after a syringe?

Drinking lots of water to stay hydrated will help your skin heal properly after your procedure. But avoid drinking beverages with a diuretic effect, like coffee, alcohol, and caffeinated tea, since they will cause your body to eliminate that much-needed hydration.

Can you spend time outside in the winter?

While you will still need to take precautions such as wearing sunscreen and avoiding direct sun exposure, time spent outside is typically limited in the cooler times of the year. Opting to have your treatment in the fall or winter can help you avoid the temptation of spending too much time outside.

How to reduce swelling after a syringe?

Sleep with your head elevated to reduce puffiness. Take vitamin C after your procedure – it helps increase the production of collagen. Use cold compresses to reduce redness and swelling. Contact your doctor if you have pain that cannot be controlled, excessive itchiness, or any signs of possible infection.

Does smoking affect healing?

For one thing, smoking interferes with proper blood flow, which can increase healing time and reduce positive outcomes from your procedure.

Does quitting smoking make you look younger?

Not only will quitting smoking improve your overall health , but it will also provide you positive changes in your skin’s appearance, such as more vibrant looking skin and an increase in the appearance of youthfulness.

Who is Melanie Rud?

Melanie Rud. Melanie Rud Chadwick is a Chicago-based freelance beauty writer and editor. Melanie has held beauty editorial positions at Shape, Good Housekeeping, and Health. She now writes for multiple digital and print publications and also consults and does editorial work for major beauty companies.

Does fractional laser make your skin look better?

Anyone who’s ever tried Fraxel will tell you, it can make your skin look amazing… but only after it makes your skin look worse. The fractional laser is a skin-resurfacing treatment that creates microtraumas deep within the skin. This ultimately results in both a smoother texture and a more even tone as well as an improvement in laxity and even ...

Does fraxel help with sun damage?

Sun protection is incredibly important after a Fraxel treatment . “Because Fraxel accelerates the turnover of the skin and peels off the surface layer to make room for newer, healthy skin, you’ll want to be extra-diligent about protecting it from UVA and UVB rays,” says Dr. Shah. He recommends staying out of the sun as much as possible and using a mineral-based sunscreen; these tend to be less likely to cause any kind of irritation on compromised skin than their chemical counterparts. This pick relies on zinc and zinc only, “offering broad-spectrum protection in a gentle and hypoallergenic formula,” he says.

What causes blisters after faxel repair?

1. An allergic contact dermatitis to a numbing cream used before the procedure, or topical antibiotics, such as Bacitracin, Polysporin or Neosporin/Neomycin, or other post operative creams. 2. Bacterial infection (impetigo). 3. Viral Infection of the skin (herpes). There may be other causes and you should contact your doctor immediately so that you can be evaluated and treated accordingly to prevent progression and possible scarring. I'm sure they would want to know!

What are blisters on face?

The "blisters" you are referring to may be the result of the energy imparted to the skin and in that case would resolve as long as the face is moisturized as it is healing. However, it could also be the result of a viral infection and would need to be aggressively treated. You paid a physician to both perform AND follow you after the procedure. It is really in your best interest to be seen by him. Dr. Peter Aldea

Fraxel Side Effects & Downtime

According to Engelman, these marks are not unusual.

Fraxel Recovery

Midway through my recovery process I experienced redness, itchiness, and dryness.