April 12, 2023How to Maintain your Laser Treatment Results
by skmethod

While laser treatments offer amazing results, there is no doubt that it can be quite a financial investment to reach your skin goals. With that, we know it’s important to maintain this investment in your glowing skin in the long run.   

Here at Skin Method, we take your skin  journey seriously. Whether it is your first time or you are a regular Skin Method client, this comprehensive guide will run you through what laser treatment can do for your skin and post-care tips needed to protect your investment. 

Skin Method is one of the top medical aesthetic laser clinics in Vancouver, located in the bustling neighbourhood of Yaletown. We take pride in addressing all our patient’s individual skin concerns with a wholistic approach, it is important to look at all internal and external factors causing inflammation, acne, aging, and any other common skin issues you may have.  

Let’s dive in!                                  

What Is a Laser Treatment?  

Laser treatments are one of the most popular cosmetic treatments available on the market. These treatments aim at improving various skin conditions like acne, rosacea, dark spots, pigmentation, sun damage, and fine lines. The laser works by using controlled narrow beams of light and heat that helps increase collagen production, reduce redness and hyperpigmentation, and improve texture. 

There are many laser treatment options available on the market. Those commonly used are non-ablative lasers like Clear + Brilliant, Halo, Fraxel, Fotona, and ablative lasers like carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. 

Our Fotona Laser at Skin Method 

The Fotona Dynamis Pro is designed with dual Nd:YAG & Er:YAG laser. This design allows us to customize your treatment to target different skin concerns at varying levels of intensity and with different age groups. 

Fotona is a non-invasive laser treatment for skin rejuvenation which can target concerns like hyperpigmentation, acne scars, fine lines, laxity, and dull skin. This unique dual-wavelength device effectively heats the deeper layers of the skin, allowing safe and controlled delivery of laser pulses to the treatment area. 

 Your 20’s is when you should start looking into preventative options for anti-aging. The Glo & Go Plus laser facial is a great introduction because it’s quick enough to do over lunch break, giving you a “lunch time glow up”.  

By the time you’re 30, you start seeing early signs of aging such as mild loss of volume, light sun damage, and fine lines. The laser rejuvenation 3D gives an even deeper laser treatment, creating controlled micro-injuries to promote collagen regeneration. 

In your 40’s and 50’s, you’ve been diligent with your use of sunscreen for a decade or so now, and we applaud you on that! But this is when advanced signs of aging comes along if you haven’t started to maintain your youthful skin. The laser anti-aging can directly target nasolabial folds with an intraoral treatment, followed by safely heating your dermis to promote collagen production, followed by a beautiful laser micropeel to exfoliate dead skin cells and improve overall tone & texture. 

This laser treatment is safe for all skin types and leaves you with beautiful glowy skin one to two weeks after the treatment. There is mild to moderate downtime with these laser treatments so you can go back to your activities but you may have mild redness, dryness, and flaking. Though it’s important to note that each patient’s reaction to the laser is different so while some people may have minimal downtime, some may be more reactive and find themselves lightly covering up redness two days later. 

Laser Post Care 

Taking care of your skin post-laser is the key to successful results. Laser treatments can leave your skin vulnerable to infections, sensitivity, and increased risk of sun damage which is why post-care is the first thing you need to discuss with your technician after treatment.  

Here are some things you should AVOID post laser treatment to maintain and enhance your results, reduce downtime, and prevent any potential side effects. 

• Exposing your bare skin to the sun! Laser treatment leaves your skin sensitive to sun exposure (UV rays) which can worsen the treatment results. 
• Retinols, glycolics, salicylic acid, AHAs/BHAs, and any kind of chemical or physical exfoliants that can irritate your skin and slow the healing process. 
• Skincare products with fragrance. These can react with your skin causing redness and ultimately irritation.                          
• Going to saunas, hot tubs, and pools within 24 hours of your treatment, sometimes up to 7 days for ablative lasers. These areas are prone to bacteria and may increase your chance of infection following an ablative laser therapy. 

NOTE: Ablative laser resurfacing treatments require more post-care since these are deeper resurfacing treatments. There will be more distinguished redness and swelling on the skin since it removes the outer surface of the skin- the epidermis. The use of Aquaphor or petroleum jelly is required as a protective layer over your skin to help it heal quickly. 

You will need to use pain medications and ice packs for relief. Strict sun exposure should be taken due to the risk of permanent scarring and increased risk of pigmentation. 

Ablative laser treatment takes about 4 weeks to completely heal. You can expect the skin to remain red for months but you can use makeup to cover that redness. 

How to Maintain the Results of Laser Treatments 

Maintaining laser results is a breeze when you follow the right instructions. For quick healing and fewer side effects, make sure you do these following laser treatments:  

Tips to follow right after laser treatment:  

• Cleansing the skin is important as it helps clear buildup. Use a gentle cleanser to clean your skin post treatment.  
• When washing your face, avoid hot water for at least 24 hours as this may inflame the skin, making it more uncomfortable. 
• Ice packs to soothe your skin post-treatment 
• Cover your face with a scarf, or a hat, to help the skin prevent any direct contact with UV rays. 
• Sunscreen is key! Make it a habit to use sunscreen, whether you are doing activities outside or sitting in your home office right next to a window.

Together with the above-mentioned tips, make sure you keep in mind the following:  

Medical Grade Skincare 

When your skin heals fully after laser treatment, you can get back on using skin care products once again. And it is always best to use medical-grade skincare approved by your doctor. This is because medical-grade skincare products are results-driven formulas with bio-efficient active ingredients that can help increase skin cell turnover, which helps maintain the treatment results. 

SPF 

We cannot emphasize this much! Laser treatments can make your skin super sensitive to UV rays which is why it is always a good idea to lather a good amount of sunscreen post-procedure to prevent any photo-damage (i.e. sunburn). Invest in a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has SPF over 40 and make sure to reapply every 2-3 hours. 

Bonus points for using physical/mineral sunscreen, this is because it will not easily degrade on your skin after 90 minutes as a chemical SPF does, check the ingredient list to know for sure. However, re-applying is still important in case of accidentally rubbing the skin, sweating, or getting it wet. 

How Many Treatments Will I Need? 

It is important to understand that multiple treatments may be needed to achieve your results. 

Being consistent with laser treatments plus using medical grade skincare will significantly improve individual skin journey. Great skin does not come overnight, great skin comes with commitment and hard work. Talk to your doctor or medical aesthetician to create a treatment plan that’s right for you.  

Try a Laser Treatment Today at Skin Method  

Book your consultation today to discuss which treatment is best suited for your skin needs!