Laser therapy – How should I care for my skin after treatment?

There are many different types of lasers used cosmetically but they fall into two main categories: ablative lasers and non-ablative lasers:

Ablation is a medical term used to describe the removal of material from the surface of a structure using an erosive process. Ablative laser treatment is defined by the fact that it removes the upper layers of skin and so skin can take a few weeks to heal after treatment.

Ablative lasers are often used to reduce scarring. They are also used to treat wrinkles as they can stimulate collagen production. There are two different types of ablative laser: Carbon Dioxide and Erbium lasers.

Non-ablative lasers leave the skin surface intact so, while there may be some redness after treatment, skin normally recovers quickly. Because they work below the surface of the skin they are particularly effective at removing broken veins, reducing pigmentation issues, treating fine lines and small wrinkles and removing unwanted hair and tattoos. There are several different types of non-ablative lasers but the most common are Pulsed Dye Lasers (or DPL), Nd: Yag lasers and Alexandrite lasers.

Dermatologists also use other non-laser, light-based treatments such as Intense Pulsed Light (IPL).

If you are particularly concerned about hyperpigmentation, rosacea, acne scarring or any other skin condition you should discuss your treatment options with a dermatologist. They will recommend the most suitable treatment for your skin.

There are some effective dermo-cosmetic skincare products that you may like to try before undergoing laser therapy for either rosacea or hyperpigmentation:

Laser therapy should always be conducted by a qualified and experienced practitioner and you should follow their pre- and after-care instructions carefully.

Once skin tissue has reformed (a process known as re-epithelialization), keeping skin moisturized helps skin to regenerate. Eucerin Aquaphor Repairing Ointment gives skin the SOS care it needs. It forms a semi-occlusive protective barrier over skin which supports the natural transfer of water vapor and oxygen to and from skin. The formula contains Glycerin – an effective moisturizing ingredient that attracts water and helps to keep it in the skin.

Glycerin works alongside Panthenol which helps to speed up regeneration and repair while also moisturizing skin. Eucerin Aquaphor Repairing Ointment is clinically and dermatologically proven to repair very dry, cracked or irritated skin. It shouldn’t be applied to open, weeping or bleeding wounds.

Skin resurfaced by laser treatment is also likely to be highly sensitive to sunlight, so it’s important to wear a high sun protection factor after treatment, even on cloudy days. The Eucerin Sun range includes facial sun protection products in high and very high SPFs (30, 50 and 50+) to give skin the protection it needs after laser therapy.

If you had laser therapy to treat rosacea or hyperpigmentation we also recommend that, once skin is fully recovered, you care for skin with a gentle but effective daily routine using products that will support your skin’s particular needs and prolong the effectiveness of your treatment. Try the Eucerin AntiREDNESS range for rosacea-prone skin and the Eucerin Anti-Pigment range for skin prone to hyperpigmentation. We also recommend you use superior sun protection products daily to help prevent symptoms from reoccurring.