In case you’ve booked a skin-tightening therapy like microneedling, radio frequency or laser, what you do beforehand could make or break your outcomes. Specialists agree that with the fitting pores and skin prep, your therapy is not going to solely work higher but additionally heal quicker and last more.
Austin dermatologist Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, MD says, “Prepping the skin can make a difference in how well it responds. Well-hydrated skin tends to tolerate and recover from tightening treatments more effectively.”
From vitamin and topicals to the important thing merchandise medical doctors depend on, right here’s what it’s best to do to get pores and skin prepared.
Featured Specialists Dr. Kimberly Lee is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, CA Dr. Ruth Hillelson is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Richmond, VA Dr. Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce is a board-certified dermatologist in Austin, TX 1. Feed Your Pores and skin From the Inside
Begin by constructing pores and skin resilience by way of food regimen. “I usually recommend patients focus on a diet rich in essential fatty acids like omega-3s,” says Dr. Geddes-Bruce. Wholesome fat assist strengthen the pores and skin barrier, enhance hydration and set the stage for higher post-treatment restoration.
2. Exfoliate Early, Then Cease
Clearing away lifeless pores and skin cells lets your therapy attain deeper. “Well ahead of skin tightening sessions, I recommend exfoliants such as Defenage’s 2-Minute Reveal Mask ($55), peptides and hydrating agents,” says Beverly Hills facial plastic surgeon Kimberly Lee, MD. “The mask removes dead skin cells, allowing better energy penetration and prepares the skin to better absorb peptides or growth factors applied pre- or post-treatment.” She cautions sufferers to cease utilizing exfoliants a number of days earlier than therapy to keep away from irritation.
3. Layer Hydration and Peptides
Hydration and collagen assist are important. “Use a hyaluronic acid serum and a high-quality moisturizer,” says Dr. Geddes-Bruce. She additionally recommends peptides to assist the pores and skin’s therapeutic response.
“Peptides stimulate collagen and elastin production at the cellular level,” says Dr. Lee. “They also support wound healing and repair, especially relevant for fractional or microneedling-based tightening treatments.”
Richmond plastic surgeon Ruth Hillelson, MD agrees. “Every patient should treat their skin wisely on a daily basis. Good cleansing, good topicals and good sunscreen are a must.”
4. Pause Retinol and Robust Actives
Even in case you’re diligent with actives, now’s the time to take a break. “I’m cautious with actives like retinol,” says Dr. Geddes-Bruce. “Those are best paused in the days leading up to treatment to avoid unnecessary irritation.”
5. Pair Remedies with the Proper Topicals
Combining applied sciences with the fitting topicals can elevate outcomes. “I like to pair microneedling with collagen-stimulating agents and platelet-rich plasma,” says Dr. Lee. “I also combine lasers with collagen-stimulating agents, super serums and antioxidants to take advantage of the microchannels that are created from the lasers.”
Dr. Hillelson says she typically treats laxity, crepiness and floor irregularities with radio frequency gadgets like Thermage and Morpheus8. “I use TIXEL with Iridesse Omega Serum ($150) for lines and textural changes.”
Dr. Geddes-Bruce provides, “If we’re pairing something like radio frequency microneedling with a topical, it’s crucial that the product is specifically formulated for use with energy-based devices and can safely reach deeper layers.” For restoration, she recommends post-procedure lotions that cut back irritation, reduce discomfort and assist barrier restore.
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This holy grail antioxidant serum combines 15 % pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), 1 % vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) and 0.5 % ferulic acid to guard towards environmental harm, enhance the looks of positive strains and wrinkles, and brighten the complexion.
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Formulated with a proprietary mix of phospholipids, ferulic acid and patented slow-release vitamin C, this serum penetrates deep into the dermal layers to stimulate collagen and elastin manufacturing, leading to firmer, extra radiant pores and skin.
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This exfoliating masks combines ultrafine sugar crystals with triple enzyme expertise (papaya, pumpkin and pomegranate enzymes) to softly resurface the pores and skin, enhancing the effectiveness of subsequent remedies.
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Using TriHex Expertise, this cult basic post-procedure serum helps the pores and skin’s pure regeneration course of by clearing out broken proteins and selling the manufacturing of recent, wholesome elastin and collagen, making it superb to be used earlier than and after beauty procedures
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Designed for post-laser care, this serum includes a mix of glycolic, lactic and mandelic acids to advertise cell renewal, together with botanical extracts like kakadu plum and licorice root for antioxidant advantages and biofermentation elements to assuage and assist the pores and skin barrier.
