How do you recover from your first laser? Though the type of laser treatment will guide your recovery, Sarkar says a soft approach is always a better one after you've put your skin through this type of procedure. She recommends using simple cleansers and moisturizing well and often. "Avoid active ingredients immediately after lasers, like vitamin C or retinoids/retinols. Protect your skin with sunblock and wear a hat," she says. "For some lasers, you can use cool compresses if there is swelling or pain. In short, be super gentle with your skin."
And mentally? Dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman urges first-timers to not expect immediate results and to give their skin time to heal. "The most important thing is to set expectations — the feeling of a sunburn; the redness that should go away and the skin after about one to seven days a following, depending on the treatment. The dead surface skin cells will then begin to flake off as the newer skin begins to replace it," she says. "That's when it will all start coming together."
Ready to unleash your inner beauty junkie?
Enter your email and check the boxes below to get
free samples, exclusive deals, discounts at Total Beauty Shops,
and expert beauty tips delivered straight to your inbox!