Light & laser sessions are beneficial for your skin in many ways. But maintaining the results of light & laser treatments takes a careful approach.   

No matter if you are getting laser for the first time or are on repeat sessions here at ZEST, this article will guide you through the best tips for maintaining treatment results. These useful tips will help heal your skin faster with minimal to no downtime. 

ZEST Face + Body specializes in medical-grade skin rejuvenation. Our clinicians are highly skilled in assessing various skin concerns ranging from early signs of aging, acne scarring, pigmentation, to maintaining healthy glowing skin.  

Read on to find out what light & laser treatments are and if it is the answer to your skin problems.                               

What Is a Light & Laser Treatment? 

Light & laser treatments have become a popular solution for many skin concerns.  

These treatments use controlled heat and light beams to target skin cells and promote collagen production. This  treatment targets various skin issues related to uneven skin tone & texture, fine lines, redness, scarring, and pigmentation. 

The most popular use of light & laser is to treat acne, rosacea (extreme redness), dark spots, sun damage, and deep scars that won't go away with traditional treatments. Both light & laser treatments are beneficial for these skin issues however there are a few differences: 

 Laser-Based Treatments at ZEST 

Laser treatment can be effective for getting rid of unwanted hair or for  skin resurfacing which improves skin tone & texture, and restores brightness.   

Laser therapy works wonders for stubborn scars and fine lines. After each session, you can feel a visible difference in your skin texture.   

Skin resurfacing lasers work by targeting deep layers of your skin with controlled heat. This induces collagen and elastin production which helps in replacing dead and old skin cells with new ones.                                                                                         

There are many laser treatment options available in medical aesthetics. Those commonly used are non-ablative lasers like Clear & Brilliant, and ablative lasers like the Pixel®: Erbium Yag. 

CLEAR & BRILLIANT  

Clear & Brilliant is a fractional laser technology to resurface the skin. This laser treatment works by inducing microscopic injuries on your skin surface which helps trigger the skin’s natural healing process.  

The healing process happens when collagen and elastin production stimulates the formation of new skin cells and therefore results to blemish-free complexion and glowing skin. 

Clear & Brilliant is an excellent choice if you want to maintain youthful skin, minimize the appearance of pores by keeping them clear of oil and debris, and brighten the complexion. Best of all it that the treatment will  fit in your lunch time and is the ideal option if  your busy schedule does not allow for an extended downtime. 

 There is minimal downtime to Clear & Brilliant laser treatment. You will only feel the usual discomfort and redness for a couple of hours after the treatment.  Apply ice packs to soothe your skin and wait until a week to resume your regular skincare regime & makeup application. 

Additional information: Clear + Brilliant is safe for Fitzpatrick I-IV. 

Pixel Er:YAG 

Pixel® is an ablative laser designed to be a true resurfacing skin treatment for deep static lines, atrophic scarring, and repairing sun damage. It works by directing an intense burst of laser energy to a portion of the skin at a time, heating up the surface of the skin in a controlled and precise manner. 

Though considered an ablative laser, Pixel offers minimal downtime compared to other ablative lasers in the medical aesthetics realm. Expect slight redness and possible swelling following the treatment.  

Light-Based Treatments 

While laser treatments work their best at combating various skin concerns, light therapy is also a great alternative. The following light-based treatments are popularly used: 

IPL & BBL  

IPL, also called intense pulse light therapy, exerts its effects on the skin by using light beams of different wavelengths. These beams trigger the deeper skin layer (dermis) to increase collagen production. IPL works over a large portion of skin at once so you will notice results in just a few sessions. 

 An alternative to IPL is BBL. BBL, aka, broadband light, delivers even stronger light pulses to the skin that double collagen production. Since more collagen is produced, it yields better results.  

During a BBL session, your clinician will use high-intensity flashes combined with cooling air to make the treatment session more comfortable.  

Choosing BBL over IPL comes down to your skin type and the intensity of your skin problem. However, both IPL and BBL are perfect choices if you are looking to treat sun-damaged skin, blemishes, rosacea, and wrinkles. 

Note: some light & laser treatments can treat the full Fitzpatrick scale. However, as a medical clinic, your safety is our top priority, so after a skin assessment with your clinician, we can perform a laser test patch if needed. 

Light & Laser Post Care 

Light & laser post-care is  the key to maintaining your  results. Since these treatments make your skin sensitive to infections, redness, and sun damage, it is important to talk to your clinician about the  right steps to follow post-laser for maximum benefits. 

Post-care differs for every light & laser treatment. Your clinician will guide you with the best post-care tips depending on your treatment and your unique skin.   

Redness and sensitivity can last from days to weeks post-treatment. Apart from what your clinician suggests, here is a breakdown of some tips that can help  regardless of the kind of light & laser treatment you chose. These tips can help avoid infections, reduce sensitivity, and reduce downtime. 

Before we get into the DOs of post-laser, here is a brief list of DON'TS: 

• Don't take your bare skin out in the sun! It will negatively impact  your treatment results and can even cause increased pigmentation, doing more harm than good. 
• Stay away from chemicals, physical exfoliants, and perfumed skin care as they can slow down healing and irritate the skin. 
• Be mindful of using topical antioxidants post-laser. Some formulations include ingredients that may irritate your already sensitive skin. However, not all formulas are the same so ask your clinician which antioxidants can be used after treatment. 
• Avoid washing your face immediately post-treatment. Some laser treatments can strip the outer layer of your skin (epidermis) and washing can trigger redness and irritation. 

How to Maintain the Results of Light & Laser Treatments 

Maintaining results of light & laser treatments is easy if you follow these steps right after your treatment sessions:  

Tips to follow right after laser treatment: 

• When you do cleanse your skin, use a medical-grade cleanser recommended by your clinician to help clear buildup and pollutants. 
• Use Aquaphor or petroleum jelly as a gentle protective barrier for your skin, plus these can accelerate the healing process. 
• While it is not recommended to scrub or wash your face, try to wait a day before washing and use lukewarm water. 
• Use ice packs after every few hours to heal redness and swelling. 

• Keep protective clothing like a scarf or a hat handy to cover your face post-laser to prevent direct exposure to UV rays. 

NOTE: Ablative lasers are invasive since it works by stripping the outer layer (epidermis) which causes the skin to vaporize and swell. You will need a strict post-care regime to protect your skin. 

Your clinician will prescribe pain medications and ice packs for quick pain relief. You will also need a higher SPF mineral sunscreen to protect your skin from sun-induced permanent scarring. Be sure to follow up with your clinician to monitor healing progress and check for infections or side effects, if any.   

It takes about a month for ablative lasers to completely heal. Skin redness can stay for months but you can use makeup when suggested by your clinician to cover it.  

Together with the above-mentioned post-care tips, make sure you consider the following: 

Medical grade skincare 

You can get back to your skincare and makeup routine once your skin heals or as directed by your treatment provider.  

However, it is always best to protect your investment with the use of medical-grade products approved by your clinician. Medical-grade products are results-driven formulations that help in skin cell turnover, correction, hydration, and retain the effects of your laser treatment for a longer period of time. 

SPF 

As mentioned earlier, SPF should be on your priority list post-laser. Invest in a good mineral sunscreen that has an SPF of over 50 to cover all ranges of UV rays and protect your skin from sun damage. Use sunscreen first thing in the morning and try to stay indoors in extremely sunny days.  

Touchup Appointments 

 Even with the best light & laser treatments, your skin might not yield the results you were hoping for. Touch-up appointments can help. Discuss with your clinician the number of touch-ups you will need with a particular light & laser treatment for maximum results. 

Try a Light & Laser Treatment at ZEST Face + Body 

Unsure where to start? You’re not alone! Take this fun and easy quiz to determine your skin needs. Then book your complimentary consultation with us to get a better skin assessment, and our clinicians will create you an exclusive treatment plan!