I’m Always Getting Laser Treatments. Here’s What I Use to Help My Skin Heal.

Photo: Krista Bennett DeMaio

A few years ago, I tried MOXI, a nonablative resurfacing laser, for the first time. It tackles skin texture, brown spots, fine lines, and enlarged pores. My treatment was stacked (a practice of combining treatments for even better results) with BBL HEROIC, a broadband light treatment that targets brown spots, redness, acne, and also promotes collagen. Since then, I’ve had about seven treatments.

I’m fresh off a recent maintenance treatment with Permanent Touch Cosmetics in Woodbury, New York, and I’d say I’ve mastered skin recovery by now. Admittedly, MOXI is not a major downtime treatment, which means I can get back to work and regular activities right away and my skin isn’t swollen, red, or oozing for days to weeks. This is one of the many reasons I like it. It leaves skin’s outer layer intact while treating deeper layers whereas ablative lasers break skin’s surface.

That said, you do have to make some skincare swaps for the next couple of weeks. I switch out my usual retinoid, exfoliating acids, and potentially irritants such as vitamin C for gentle ingredients such as niacinamide and ceramides that calm skin and strengthen skin’s barrier. Skin feels pretty dry during the healing process, so the next 10 days are all about hydration and protection

Here’s my skin care routine for the first week and the products I use every time to help my skin recover and repair

Your skin is numbed for MOXI, so it’s very tolerable, but afterward, my skin feels hot and spicy and looks red, like I got a bad sunburn. To help take down the sting, I use Revision CMT Post-Procedure Cream a few times a day. It’s a neurocosmetic, which means it’s designed to work with nerve endings and receptors in your skin to reduce inflammation and make the skin feel more comfortable after laser treatments and other procedures. After applying, my skin still looks red, but it stings less.

Other than the Revision CMT, I’m hands-off on day one

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This is immediately after my BBL/MOXI treatment.
Photo: Krista Bennett DeMaio

Starting on day two, the sting is typically gone. It feels dry, like sandpaper, and I see little brown specks that look like coffee grounds. These are called MENDs, or microscopic epidermal necrotic debris. It’s dead skin and pigment that my skin is pushing out. Brown spots look darker, and my skin has an overall bronzy look. If I had any broken capillaries treated with BBL, those may look more red for a few days, too. As tempting as it is, I don’t exfoliate the MENDs. They flake off naturally, especially in the shower.

I cleanse with a gentle, non-foaming cleanser. I’m currently using Prequel Gleanser, which is extra hydrating thanks to glycerin. After cleansing, I apply Plated Calm Serum, which has platelet-derived exosome technology to support skin’s natural repair process. I’ve noticed that since I added this serum to my post-laser regimen, the healing process goes a little faster. That sandpapery-feel will disappear by day seven rather than day 10. I continue to use it until my skin feels smooth.

For moisturizer, I stick with a basic one (no irritating activities) that helps strengthen the skin barrier. I especially like La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer, which has a mix of ceramides, glycerin, niacinamide, and the brand’s soothing prebiotic thermal water

Freshly lasered skin is more vulnerable to the sun, so sun protection is especially important. I use mineral formulas because they won’t irritate my skin. I like EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 or ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless Ultralight Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 if I’m leaving the house and want my skin to look a little more even. You can wear makeup after the first day, but I try to lay off and let my skin do its thing.

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Up close look at MENDs, the brown flecks that look like coffee grounds.
Photo: Krista Bennett DeMaio

After day five, my skin starts getting softer as the sandpaper feeling starts to disappear. There are fewer visible MENDs. I continue to use the same products. When I’m outside, I wear a hat and glasses to protect my fresh skin from the sun

I have less MENDs, but still a spotty look, especially on my cheeks.

Day 7. Much clearer skin. MENDs are gone. A little redness remains where capillaries were zapped. The healing will continue.
Photo: Krista Bennett DeMaio
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The Skincare I Use After Getting a Laser Treatment