6 Things to Do and Not Do After Getting a CO2 Laser Treatment

A CO2 laser is the most aggressive type of skin resurfacing device available today, firmly in a class of its own. “CO2 lasers are ablative, causing true wounding to the skin,” explains Gold Coast-based Plastic Surgeon, Dr Peter Widdowson of The Lotus Institute. “Other, non-ablative lasers and resurfacing procedures disrupt the epidermis, but it’s still left intact. With CO2 lasers, you’re intentionally causing controlled injury and open wounds.” This level of intensity directly correlates with increased efficacy; these skin laser treatments can deliver incredible results, albeit after a significant recovery time and healing process.

What you do—and don’t do—to your skin during this critical post-treatment period will directly impact the results of your laser skin resurfacing. “A CO2 laser treatment is a financial investment,” notes Dr Widdowson, a board-certified surgeon renowned for his expertise in laser treatments and skin resurfacing procedures. “But you’re also investing your time and have to be committed to setting aside a week or two afterwards. It’s important to do anything and everything to protect that investment.”

Interested in CO2 laser treatments?

It is worth mentioning that no two recovery periods are the same. Everything from the patient’s age to how aggressively the doctor uses the laser to the area of the face treated can impact the recovery process. Factors such as sun exposure and the presence of acne scars or fine lines also play a role. As always, it’s imperative to speak with your doctor beforehand about exactly what you can expect and what type of post-procedure care you’ll need. As a general rule, the most acute healing phase takes about seven days, during which there are some universal CO2 laser recovery rules worth following to ensure optimal results from your laser skin resurfacing treatment.

Stock up on distilled water and maybe even some white vinegar

These kitchen staples are paramount when it comes to post-laser care, making for a skin-saving solution that most experts recommend. Why distilled water? According to Dr Widdowson, it’s important that it be as sterile as possible in order to minimise infection while the skin has actual open wounds from the ablative laser treatment. Cooled boiled water can also be substituted. Why white vinegar? “It both constricts the blood vessels to help with itching and redness and is an antiseptic,” Dr Widdowson explains. You can soak gauze pads in the mix and (very gently) press them onto your treated skin, although Dr Widdowson cautions that even this can be too much mechanical trauma. Instead, he suggests combining the water and vinegar, in a one-to-one ratio, in a spray bottle that you can keep in the refrigerator and use to mist the treated area as needed throughout the day.

Take your oral meds

Oral medications after a skin treatment procedure like CO2 laser resurfacing are common. Oral antibiotics are often prescribed post-treatment laser procedures, as is Acyclovir, an antiviral that prevents cold sores. “Patients tell me they’ve never had a cold sore, but if you test everyone’s blood, there’s a high percentage of people who have been exposed to the herpes simplex virus and don’t know it,” Dr Widdowson explains. Similarly, it’s worth discussing any medications you’re taking with your doctor pre-procedure. For example, it’s recommended to stop taking doxycycline beforehand, as it can increase sun sensitivity—the last thing you want after a laser skin resurfacing treatment.

Rethink your hair-care routine

Dr Widdowson advises that you plan on keeping your hair pulled back and out of your face during the entire healing process; loose hair is yet another potential transmission medium for bacteria and ups the likelihood of infection to the treated skin. You can shower and wash your hair (just be careful not to let the water directly hit your face), but skip blow-drying for the first few days treatment. Not only will your skin not be able to thermoregulate as well as it normally would due to the laser skin treatment, but any increased heat to the skin can also end up increasing inflammation and redness, thereby prolonging the recovery time. For this reason, Dr Widdowson also advises that his patients avoid exercising and saunas for at least four to five days post-treatment.

Moisturise—but do so carefully

Petrolatum-based occlusive ointments, such as Vaseline, have long been the gold standard of laser aftercare, helping to create an environment conducive to healing. Skin cells slide over one another as the skin reepithelialises (aka heals), and they’re better able to do so when they’re lubricated, notes Dr Widdowson. But there are some drawbacks. Dr Widdowson notes that these ointments can sometimes be too occlusive, particularly in the first few days following an ablative laser resurfacing procedure, trapping too much heat in the skin (see our previous point). He therefore recommends Stratacel, an advanced dressing for fractional laser procedures, for the first four days. Patients can then proceed with Vaseline or more occlusive-based products from then on. Point being, talk to your doctor about any other potential options for your skin treatment. And if you are using Vaseline, a thin layer is all you need to aid the healing process.

Avoid the sun like the plague—and be careful about what sunscreen you use

Until those open wounds have closed up, Stratacel or Vaseline (or whatever your doctor suggests instead) is the only thing that should go on your skin. That means sun avoidance is absolutely key after your laser resurfacing treatment. “You really should be either homebound, away from windows, or on your way to or from a follow-up appointment with your doctor. That’s it,” says Dr Widdowson. Once your skin has healed, you can use sunscreen, but Dr Widdowson has suggested that it’s best to opt for a physical/mineral formula. Chemical sunscreens work by penetrating the skin, absorbing UV rays and, subsequently, heat. “You want to minimise heat, not only to minimise inflammation and redness but also so that you can start to better gauge the progression of healing,” says Dr Widdowson. “We gauge this by the level of erythema, or redness, and it’s important that there not be any additional factors affecting this,” Dr Widdowson explains. Sun exposure can lead to complications like sun damage, which can adversely affect the results of your laser skin resurfacing.

Replace your make-up

Just like with sunscreen, it’s okay to start using make-up again once your skin has healed—and you very likely will want to, as your skin may look red and pink for weeks afterwards due to the laser treatment skin recovery process. While the risk of infection is admittedly highest during that first week, it’s still a good idea to buy new make-up and brushes to ensure that there aren’t any lingering contaminants in your favourite powder, says Dr Widdowson. This is a small investment to protect your treated skin and the results of your resurfacing laser treatment.

Interested in CO2 laser treatments?

CO2 laser resurfacing treatments can address a variety of skin concerns, including acne scars, fine lines, and sun damage. The fractional laser technology allows for precise targeting of problem areas, resulting in smoother, rejuvenated skin. To find out more about laser resurfacing procedures or to book a consultation with Dr Peter Widdowson, a board-certified specialist in laser skin treatments, please call The Lotus Institute on (07) 5509 4488.