As we slowly leave another sizzling summer behind, our minds are already drifting to all things fall, whether it’s a new hair color for the cooler season, a manicure upgrade to match the changing leaves or an in-office skin treatment to rejuvenate the complexion now that the sunny season is in the rearview mirror. If you have a laser, peel or any other in-office skin procedure on the books for the next few months, we tapped the experts for a full guide to stocking your post-procedure survival kit, ensuring your skin-healing journey stays on track no matter where the end of the year takes you.
Featured Experts
- Janine Hopkins, MD is a dermatologist in Southlake, TX
- Jeanine B. Downie, MD is a dermatologist in Montclair, NJ
- Doris Day, MD is a dermatologist in New York
- Anna Chacon, MD is a dermatologist in Coral Gables, FL
What products should you always have post-skin treatment?
“After any in-office treatment, your skin wants TLC, not drama,” says Coral Gables, FL dermatologist Anna Chacon, MD. “A gentle, fragrance-free cleanser, a rich but non-irritating moisturizer and a mineral sunscreen are the core trio. Add in cool compresses for swelling and a thermal spring water mist to keep things soothed and refreshed.” Avène’s Thermal Spring Water ($19) is a favorite among users and dermatologists alike.
For New York dermatologist Doris Day, MD, a curated pre- and post-procedure regimen suited to each individual patient is key in creating optimal results, but there are a few ingredient categories she’s always recommending after treatment. “The categories of ingredients I look to most are exosomes, growth factors, mTor1 inhibitors, hyperbaric oxygen-like effects and rich hydrators,” she explains. “There are outstanding options in all of these categories, and the impact is incredible.”
For Montclair, NJ dermatologist Jeanine B. Downie, MD, protective, restorative and rejuvenating products are all a must post-treatment. “The products I would pack in an in-office skin treatment survival kit would be ZO Skin Health’s Daily Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 ($53), Provoque’s Anti-Aging Facial Serum (available through medical providers only) and SkinBetter Science’s AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads ($125).”
“After microneedling or laser treatments, I recommend patients start a recovery kit with a gentle cleanser like CLN Hypochlorous Acid Cleanser ($35) to minimize bacteria and calm inflammation, followed by AnteAge BioGel ($40) with growth factors to accelerate healing, followed by a hydrating barrier ointment or ceramide-rich cream to lock in moisture, and always a mineral sunscreen SPF 30 or higher to protect healing skin,” says Southlake, TX dermatologist Janine Hopkins, MD. “I also love the Avène SOS Complete Recovery Kit ($48),” she adds, also noting that hydrocolloid patches and “a hyaluronic calming mask or CO2Lift can make all the difference in comfort and healing.”
