The Ideal Skin Care to Use Post- Treatment for Healthy-Looking Skin

Investing in your skin may begin in the procedure room, but it continues at home with skin care. “Post-treatment skin care is not just ‘maintenance’—it’s an active part of your treatment plan that helps ensure longevity and refinement of your results,” says New York dermatologist Gabriela Soza, MD.

“With consistent pre- and post-treatment skin care,” says Dr. Soza, patients can expect benefits such as aiding in “faster recovery times and reduced post-procedure redness or dryness, enhanced collagen production and improved skin firmness and a healthier, more resilient skin over time.” She adds that proper skin care can extend the results of laser and injectable treatments and contribute to “a visibly smoother, more luminous complexion.”

“In my experience, patients who invest in proper skin care before and after procedures consistently achieve more refined, radiant, and durable outcomes,” she says, adding that great skin health, from texture to hydration levels, is the foundation of every beautiful result.

Pre- and Post-Treatment Skin Care Is Crucial

Supporting your best skin begins long before treatment starts. “Your skin’s condition before and after a procedure directly determines the quality of your results,” says Dr. Soza, who emphasizes that the procedure itself is only one piece of the overall outcome. Equally important is preparing your skin beforehand with a quality daily routine and especially caring for it afterward.

“Well-prepped skin tolerates treatments better and results in a more refined, lasting outcome,” says Dr. Soza. “Conversely, neglecting pre- or post-care can increase sensitivity, prolong redness or even diminish the benefits of a treatment,” she says. “Proper skin care ensures the skin barrier is supported, inflammation is controlled and the collagen-stimulating benefits of treatments are maximized.” By investing in your skin daily, you help support healthy-looking skin for everyday and for care after an aesthetic treatment.

Pre-Treatment Skin Care

“Pre-treatment skin care lays the foundation for a smooth, predictable response to any aesthetic procedure, whether it’s laser resurfacing, microneedling or injectables,” says Dr. Soza. “When the skin barrier is healthy and balanced, it can handle energy-based treatments more evenly and recover more efficiently. Pre-conditioning the skin with the right regimen can reduce inflammation and sensitivity, minimize risk of hyperpigmentation, especially in skin of color, optimize collagen remodeling and healing and enhance product and treatment efficacy.”

Dr. Soza tends to recommend a routine prior to any treatment that focuses on gentle exfoliation, antioxidant protection, hydration and barrier support with ingredients like niacinamide, peptides, growth factors, ceramides and vitamin C.

“I’m a big believer in growth factors and peptides and their ability to help support collagen and elastin production. Neocutis Bio Serum Firm is a supercharged serum that helps hydrate and revitalize skin. It features Neocutis’ most potent blend of growth factors and proprietary peptides to help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I recommend using this twice daily; in the morning after a vitamin C serum and in the evening after cleansing,” says Dr. Soza. She adds that many of her clients also love Neocutis Bio Cream Firm, a unique product she’s relied on for years to deliver growth factors, proprietary peptides, ceramides, glycerin and niacinamide, helping to smooth skin and support collagen and elastin production while diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”

Neocutis Lumière® Firm helps illuminate and tighten the delicate under-eye area. Meanwhile, Neocutis Neo Firm helps revitalize skin and is a must-have to help firm the neck and décolleté areas, which Dr. Soza notes are “too often neglected.” Dr. Soza also stresses the importance of daily broad-spectrum sunscreen, as “UV exposure before treatment can increase the risk of post-inflammatory changes.”

Post-Treatment Skin Care

Post-treatment skin care is essential, and can be easily integrated into your provider’s personalized protocol when you leave the office. When done correctly, skin care helps protect results and support recovery. “After any energy-based treatment or injectable, the skin experiences a temporary disruption of its protective barrier. How you care for it during this window determines whether it heals beautifully or becomes reactive,” says Dr. Soza.

“Immediately post-procedure, the focus should be on soothing, calming and barrier repair,” she continues. “I usually recommend: a gentle, non-stripping cleanser (avoid active acids or exfoliants), barrier-restoring moisturizers with ceramides, glycerin or panthenol, soothing ingredients like bisabolol, centella asiatica or thermal spring water, strict sun avoidance and mineral sunscreen once re-epithelialization occurs.”

In the office, Dr. Soza applies Neocutis Aftercare to help boost collagen, moisturize and smooth treated skin. She also applies a Neo Restore Mask to help reduce redness, soothe, smooth and brighten skin, and advises patients to use them at home until the skin is re-epithelialized. “Both Aftercare and the Neo Restore Masks were specifically formulated for post-procedure skin. Aftercare contains dimethicone and lipids to protect and soothe the skin, while the mask is packed with proprietary peptides, hyaluronic acid and key ingredients to soothe, smooth and reduce redness,” explains Dr. Soza.

Skin Care After Non-Invasive Treatments

For non-invasive treatments such as injectables or energy-based devices, the key is soothing, hydration and minimal manipulation. “I recommend my patients continue their Bio Cream Firm as they were doing it pre-treatment,” says Dr. Soza. “Antiseptic agents and topical numbing used pre-procedure can be a tad harsh on the skin. I ensure patients restore the hydration that was stripped away before and during treatment.”

Skin Care After Minimally Invasive Treatments

“After minimally invasive treatments such as radiofrequency, microneedling or no-to-low downtime lasers, your skin is primed for rejuvenation, and the goal is to calm inflammation, accelerate recovery and support remodeling,” says Dr. Soza. You’ll also want to add a hydrating component to your routine, such as Neocutis Hyalis®+, which provides intensive hydration and helps restore lost moisture to the skin. Furthermore, she notes it’s important to resume using Bio Serum Firm to help promote collagen synthesis and firming.

Skin Care After Ablative Treatments

Ablative treatments can offer profound skin improvements, and supporting your skin after these procedures is essential. “Proper skin care is non-negotiable after ablative laser treatments like Fraxel. We aim to optimize re-epithelialization and restore barrier function without irritation,” says Dr. Soza. Additionally, to maintain luminosity post-treatment, she recommends using a Neo Restore Mask once or twice daily. “A little pearl of mine is to leave the Neo Restore Masks and Aftercare in the refrigerator. That cooling sensation feels delightful on just-treated skin,” she adds. Be sure to continue using a daily mineral SPF and avoid active ingredients until cleared by your provider.”

Skin Care During a Weight-Loss Journey

As you achieve your weight-loss goals, your skin may experience changes, such as volume loss and laxity. “Significant weight changes can affect skin firmness and elasticity,” says Dr. Soza, but supportive skin care can help maintain tone and texture. “We want to focus on helping to stimulate collagen and elastin and supporting dermal density. I recommend gentle exfoliation two to three times per week,” says Dr. Soza. She recommends daily use of Bio Serum Firm for proprietary peptide and growth factor delivery and Neo Firm to help firm and tighten skin, especially on the neck and décolleté. Additionally, “Consistent sun protection and antioxidants are essential to preserve collagen integrity.”

Your journey is unique, and so is your skin. It’s important to discuss your skin-care regimen with your provider to ensure each step is personalized to your needs.