Face-Cleansing 101 After Aesthetic Procedures

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, almost $16.7 billion was spent on cosmetic operations in the United States alone in 2020. Furthermore, 11% of women polled stated they are more interested in cosmetic plastic surgery or non-surgical procedures now than before COVID-19.

 

When you opt to have an aesthetic procedure done, it is critical to take extra care of your skin in the days and weeks after, for the quickest recovery and greatest results. However, your at-home skin care will vary depending on the type of aesthetic procedure you had. In general, light, noninvasive cosmetic procedures such as mild chemical peels, botox, non-ablative laser treatments, microneedling, and fillers allow you to return to your usual skin care regimen faster than surgical procedures like rhinoplasty.

 

“To optimize your results, you want to heal without any discoloration. If your skin is really red, you really want to baby it after surgery to prevent pigmentation,” says Ellen Marmur, MD, chief of the Division of Dermatologic & Cosmetic Surgery at the Mount Sinai Medical Center. “No matter what, you need to stop using cosmetics or topical medicines for three days after any procedure.”

 

To further guide you, here is everything you should know about face-cleansing after various aesthetic procedures.

Botox

You can cleanse your face after getting Botox, but wait a few hours. If you need to wash your face immediately, be careful and gentle. We recommend using CLn's Facial Cleanser.

 

Note that it is important to keep your face clean, especially around the Botox injection sites, to avoid any irritation or risk of infection. Wash softly around the injection sites and avoid using too much pressure.

 

Remember to use gentle cleansers only. Avoiding massaging or scrubbing your face, as this can cause irritation. Instead, use a light touch when washing your face. To avoid heat exposure, use warm or cold water instead of hot.

Laser Treatments

Because of the variety of laser treatments available and the unique preferences of treating physicians, post-laser skin care is a difficult issue to generalize. However, the rule of thumb is “less is more” according to board-certified dermatologist Jasmine Obioha, who is based in Beverly Hills. "Your post-procedure routine functions only to soothe and restore treated skin. A complicated post-care routine can lead to irritation, compromising your results."

 

In other words, you should treat your fresh, new skin with care until all the laser-wrought microscopic channels in your skin heal in two or three days.

 

The first night after laser treatment, avoid washing your face and apply only a post-treatment moisturizer with ingredients like vitamin E, vitamin C, and antioxidants to help hydrate the laser-treated skin. The moisturizer will serve as a barrier, protecting your skin overnight while it begins its regenerative processes.

 

The following morning, you can resume cleansing with a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser and use only dermatologist-approved skincare.

Chemical Peels

If you've had a light chemical peel, wait until the peeling subsides before resuming your normal skin care routine. If you've had a more aggressive peel, wait until the redness and peeling have subsided before resuming your normal skin care routine.

In general, peels cause the skin to become dry and more sensitive. To avoid any further irritation, use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer. Also, avoid using any skincare with AHAs or BHAs for at least a week after your peel.

Microneedling

 

For 72 hours after treatment, wash your face with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water, and gently dry the treated skin.

 

Using Hyaluronic Acid after microneedling can help stimulate collagen production after you've had the procedure, and it's even recommended in some cases.

 

When touching the treated area, make sure your hands are clean, and don't use a Clarisonic or other powered cleansing brushes for at least one week following your treatment.

 

Tip:  Direct sun exposure should be avoided for at least two weeks after microneedling.

Fillers

Everyone's post-filler experience is different. But one thing is certain: you should not touch your face for at least six hours. After that, you can wash with water and a gentle cleanser.

 

While your skin heals, keep it clean and avoid heavy creams and makeup. To prevent discomfort and swelling, you should also avoid touching or rubbing the area.

 

You may experience some mild bruising and swelling after filler injections. These symptoms should subside within a few days.

Conclusion

In any case, make sure you discuss cosmetic surgery recovery with your doctor or aesthetician before your treatment. Remember to use only mild and gentle cleansers like the CLn Facial Cleanser to avoid further irritation and accelerate the healing of your skin after the procedure.

Disclaimer: Unless otherwise explicitly stated, the content on this blog, including all articles, videos, and other information, is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The views expressed on this blog and website have no relation to those of any academic, hospital, health practice, or other institution.