Whether you head to the spa for regular treatments or schedule occasional facials or spa treatments for special events, choosing gentle skin care products that work with your peels, micro-needling, or other procedures and won’t irritate your skin sometimes can be challenging. This week, we’re talking all things after-treatment: here’s how to update your skincare routine when your skin might be a little more sensitive.
DO: Pamper Your Skin Leading Up to Your Procedure
When the spa music starts to play and the aesthetician starts to work their magic, you don’t want any possible skin irritation getting in the way of a first-class peel or treatment. Daily SPF is a drum we beat often at COSMEDIX, but it’s probably never as important than it is in the week leading up to a chemical peel. Be sure to apply and reapply Peptide-Rich Defense with SPF 50 throughout the day so that your skin doesn’t sustain any unnecessary sun damage. You’ll also want to avoid waxing, injections, and any other activities that might irritate the skin before the big day.
DON’T: Skip the Skin Prep
Although you should try not to apply any active ingredients (think Retinoids, exfoliants, or Vitamin C) in the week leading up to your treatment, keeping up with your skincare routine while you’re home can help your skin prepare for an aesthetician-approved level 2 treatment. The COSMEDIX team has gathered four travel-sized products in our Treatment Prep Starter Kit to help you strike the perfect balance of gentle skin care products and consistent care for your skin.
DO: Post-Treatment Hyaluronic Acid
You’ll want to keep avoiding the more intense active ingredients—AHA’s & BHA’s, Retinoids, Vitamin C, and any chemical exfoliants—for at least twenty-four hours after your skin care treatment. Instead, reach for products with hydrating Hyaluronic Acid. Skin Thirst Moisturizing Hyaluronic Acid Cream makes a soothing post-treatment moisturizer while C.P.R Skin Recovery Serum can be a replacement for serums with more intense actives.
DO: Lighten Up on Makeup
If you can help it, let your skin breathe without full coverage foundation or other “heavy” products for a few days after your spa treatment. Taking a few SPF-only days would be ideal, but a tinted moisturizer, SPF, or BB cream is preferable to your usual makeup routine.
