Importance of Pre and Post Treatment Skincare for Facial Therapy

No skincare treatment produces miracles on its own, no matter how dazzling its track record may be. Besides the beauty equipment supplies and products used, the results vary for every individual because of three factors:

• The treatment

• The skill of the professional who delivered the treatment

• How your skin reacts to specific treatments

That said, the outcome of any good skincare procedure can change, depending on how well your skin was prepped beforehand and what you do afterwards.

Want to know how to make the most out of your skincare treatment? This article covers the importance of pre- and post-treatment care and some tips for the two most common aesthetic procedures done today: facials and laser treatments.

The Importance of Pre- and Post-Treatment Care

To achieve a specific aesthetic outcome, skincare treatments deal with controlled damage to targeted cells. This applies to most skincare procedures, particularly those that involve:

• Correcting pigment spots

• Stimulating collagen production via heat application underneath the skin

• Triggering skin cell renewal

• Firming up the skin

Dermatologists in Dubai explain that these treatments require the support of pre- and post-treatment care to heal properly. Because of this, you must perform the correct skincare routine for the kind of procedure performed to achieve the best possible outcome.

Think of it like this: The aesthetic procedure does the heavy lifting, but the skincare maintenance ensures optimal results.

Read on for more details on how pre- and post-treatment skincare works wonders for your skin:

Why Perform Pre-Treatment Care

Although specific preparations vary depending on the desired outcome and treatment modality, doing (or not doing) certain things can help ensure that your skin sensitivity doesn’t reach dangerous levels before the procedure.

Having your skin in its best state before the treatment also reduces the risk of unexpected adverse effects and sensitivity, leading to more pleasant results.

How Post-Treatment Care Helps

Although post-treatment maintenance is much more well-known than pre-treatment care, it is still imperative that you understand what’s at stake if you follow the procedure with the recommended maintenance.

Post-treatment care can help:

• Soothe and heal redness and skin sensitivity

• Prevent any post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)

• Prevent inflammation

• Treat UV sensitivity

Take note that even non-surgical treatments, like facials and laser procedures, can leave the treatment area more sensitive and vulnerable.

By performing the recommended post-treatment care that may include heat relief and hydration, you are helping your skin heal faster and maintain treatment results longer.

Facials

Facials are among the most common beauty treatments that require pre- and post-treatment care. Read on to learn what you need to do to get the best results from this procedure:

Pre-Facial Treatment Care

• Never shave or wax two days prior to a facial. Hair removal leaves the skin more sensitive (which often comes with a stinging or tingling sensation) during the treatment. It also becomes more susceptible to damage and irritation.

• Discontinue taking oral medication that thins the skin (e.g., Isotretinoin) three months before a facial treatment.

• Avoid getting tanned or sunburnt, whether naturally (sunbathing) or by artificial methods (tanning beds). Sun damage can worsen if you get a facial, so make sure your skin has completely healed before the treatment.

• Do not over-exfoliate three days before a facial treatment. Most facial procedures entail exfoliation anyway, so you don’t have to do it before the treatment itself. Otherwise, you might leave your skin too sensitive to be professionally buffed clean.

Post-Facial Treatment Care

• Stay out of the sun for several days. Your newly exfoliated skin is more sensitive after the facial treatment, so you must keep it out of the reach of UV rays. If you must head out, apply sunscreen and use a parasol or a sun hat.

• Never pick your skin, especially after a facial treatment. Since the skin is susceptible after all the extractions, scrubbing, and pore-opening procedures performed during the procedure, picking your skin would only lead to irritation and scarring.

• Don’t use makeup until two days after the treatment. The deep cleansing effect of the facial leaves your pores more open and more susceptible to germs. Tempting as it may be, let your skin settle before applying full makeup.

• Reschedule your workout and sauna sessions to avoid irritating your skin or breaking any capillaries in the process.

• Keep your skin hydrated. Drink plenty of water after a facial to support better toxin elimination and maintain post-facial radiance.

Laser Treatment

Besides facials, laser treatments are also one of the most common skincare treatments people undergo today. To make sure the results are as you expected (and stay that way longer), perform the recommended pre- and post-treatment care, as follows:

Pre-Laser Treatment Care

• Stay in the shade. Like facials, laser treatments also call for a break from UV exposure at least a week before the procedure, as sun damage leads to more irritation and increased sensitivity. Plus, the UV radiation could exacerbate the darkening of scars and age spots, leaving the lasers with more work to do.

• Don’t do anything with your skin for at least three weeks before your appointment. This includes waxing, tweezing, and chemical epilation.

• Reschedule other aesthetic procedures. Laser treatments should never occur after skin resurfacing, hair removal, and chemical peel in the same area.

Post-Laser Treatment Care

Laser-treated skin will be sensitive for a couple of weeks, which is normal since the procedure basically works to injure the skin in a targeted manner to promote smoother skin. This process also fosters skin healing, provided that post-procedure care is properly administered.

After-treatment care varies, of course, so you’ll have to listen to what your provider recommends for you.

Below are some tips you can also follow to maintain and enhance your laser treatment results:

• Avoid physical and chemical exfoliants, vitamin serums, and scented skincare products. Your skin is extra sensitive after a laser procedure, and applying such products may reduce its efficacy or cause redness and irritation.

• Stay away from UV rays – both natural and artificial – for at least a week after the treatment.

Get Optimal Results

Every person has different skin characteristics and even more unique conditions. 

To get optimal results, follow expert advice specifically recommended for you and don’t skimp on these best practices in pre- and post-treatment skincare.