As long summer days give way to sweater weather and pumpkin spice latte season (aka fall and winter), you may be considering a skin resurfacing procedure in the form of a laser treatment such as Fraxel, IPL or Clear + Brilliant. Laser treatments can help reduce signs of sun damage such as hyperpigmentation, resurface scars, and soften fine lines and wrinkles by boosting collagen production. With fewer hours of sunlight per day, fall and winter are considered the ideal seasons for this type of cosmetic skin resurfacing procedure because post-treatment skin is very photosensitive.
Do’s and Don’ts of caring for post-laser skin
Considering an IPL with your PSL? After laser treatments, your skin needs time and gentle support to heal. The skin’s moisture barrier is more vulnerable and susceptible to external, and microbial influences, so it’s important to care for it properly.
Do follow your dermatologist or doctor’s recommendations. Do use sunscreen as soon as it’s permitted. Do use products that gently soothe, hydrate and restore treated skin.
Don’t use anything exfoliating (physical like scrubs or chemical like AHAs) or any retinol products. And do skip makeup, you don’t want to apply anything that can clog pores or irritate new skin.
How does CBD fit into a post-laser skincare routine?
Cannabinoids such as CBD (and THC) are the two most common naturally occurring components found in the cannabis plant. CBD works hand in hand with the receptors in your body’s own endocannabinoid system to help maintain homeostasis, manage pain and reduce inflammation. Your skin’s healthy barrier function is managed in part by the endocannabinoid receptors on your skin.
While the research on this topic is limited, studies suggest that when used topically, CBD binds to the receptors in your skin to help manage localized pain and reduce inflammation and swelling. Because of this, skincare products infused with CBD can be a great tool to aid in your post-laser recovery and healing process.
Will CBD maximize treatment results?
Laser skin resurfacing is a proven way to help reduce wrinkles, age spots, acne scars, and other blemishes as well as tighten skin and balance tone. The powerful antioxidants in CBD not only aid in reducing swelling, inflammation and redness, they also help diminish signs of aging, improve skin texture, and smooth wrinkles and fine lines. There is little research, however, that suggests CBD maximizes the result of a cosmetic procedure.
The Green II Gold way
At Green II Gold we developed the RX3 Restoring Serum with a blend of hemp-derived CBDermaPro Complex and a cocktail of clinically-proven botanicals to reduce redness, soothe irritation, rehydrate, and restore your skin’s protective barrier. The RX3 Restoring Serum improves visible skin irritation and inflammation after a resurfacing procedure.
Please remember, always consult your doctor or aesthetician before using any skincare product including CBD infused topicals after your procedure.