After dealing with stubborn, cystic acne for the better half of a decade, there’s one thing that I’ve learned: Even the most effective, expensive skin care products out there may never bring my skin back to what it was pre-acne. Sometimes, you simply have to call in the experts to help you achieve your complexion goals.
At the beginning of 2023, board-certified dermatologists Dr. Marisa Garshick of MDCS Dermatology and Dr. David Kim of Idriss Dermatology suggested I try several noninvasive, in-office skin care treatments to help address my acne flare-ups and improve the scarring and red marks it’s left me with. “Some in-office acne treatments include chemical peels, lasers and light-based devices including blue light and intense pulsed light therapy (IPL). To address scarring, microneedling can be performed with radiofrequency or platelet-rich plasma,” Garshick says.
Soon, I found myself visiting the dermatologist office nearly once a month over the course of last year. I ended up receiving six treatments in total. Garshick targeted the active acne first, administering several rounds of IPL, which can help kill acne-causing bacteria and reduce blemishes. Then, once I was clear, we moved on to Candela Matrix Pro Radiofrequency Microneedling, a device that creates micro-injuries in the skin to stimulate collagen production and improve acne scars. Finally, Kim suggested I try Vbeam, the most advanced type of pulsed-dye laser that promotes an even complexion, because as if the acne wasn’t enough, yes, I was also blessed with hyperpigmentation, red blotches and broken capillaries.
Although these treatments are painless and require little to no downtime, “it is important to be gentle on the skin post laser or microneedling and avoid harsh active ingredients while the skin is recovering,” Garshick says. “During the repair process, using ingredients to help hydrate the skin and boost recovery can be helpful.”
Kim recommends staying away from vitamin A derivatives like retinol and tretinoin, as well as any exfoliating acids like lactic, mandelic and glycolic acid for at least a week post-procedure. Lasers and microneedling disrupts the skin’s moisture barrier, causes temporary inflammation and irritation, and makes the skin more susceptible to UV damage, so it’s especially important to maintain a proper aftercare routine if you want to have the best outcome.
“Skin care products containing ceramides and lipids to restore the barrier, vitamin C to brighten and SPF to protect from sun exposure will help the skin recover faster and better — and avoid risk for complications like hyperpigmentation and UV damage,” Kim says. During recovery, I am also personally mindful of checking for pore cloggers and steering clear of makeup so that I don’t disrupt my skin’s healing process.
The bottom line? Even if you follow a strict and effective skin care regimen, there are certain complexion goals that cannot be achieved without more advanced treatments and a solid aftercare routine (be sure to check with your derm before you book any treatment to ensure it’s right for you, your goals and your skin type). While six lasering and microneedling treatments in just one year may seem excessive to some, it has significantly reduced my acne, improved texture and scarring, and most importantly, gave me my confidence back.
Below are 13 best products I reach for after every single in-office treatment to help minimize irritation and support my sensitive skin.
Temporary swelling is among the symptoms I’ve experienced from lasers like Vbeam, so I always have this hot-pink ice roller on deck to use the second I get home. It instantly reduces puffiness and redness and actually stays ice cold for longer.
Free of common irritants and formulated with effective yet gentle ingredients, I use this dermatologist-approved cleanser every morning and night to remove excess dirt, oil and makeup from the day. After use, my skin feels clean but never stripped or dry.
I recently ran out of the viral Tower 28 spray when I stumbled upon this dupe. Not only is it cheaper but it works just as well on irritated skin and has become an indispensable part of my routine (even when I’m not lasering or microneedling). I spritz it all over after cleansing and throughout the day when my skin feels dry, then I repeat at night.
My skin always feels tight and itchy post-procedure. I frequently turn to this 100% spring water face mist when I need a soothing, hydration boost throughout the day.
During my recovery, I pack on ingredients like hyaluronic acid to support my skin barrier. I use this organic, 100% hyaluronic acid serum, and it noticeably decreases any redness and keeps my skin feeling ultra hydrated. Pro tip: Since HA can hold a lot of water, it needs moisture to work. I spray the Avène facial mist all over before use!
Clearstem’s Skin Barrier Duo is so good that it has amassed a waitlist in the past. Right now, you can pick them up as a duo, but you can usually buy the acne-safe serum and moisture mask separately on the brand’s website if the bundle is sold out. I never fail to use them in tandem when my skin barrier is especially compromised. They instantly infuse and lock moisture into my skin.
The most important thing to look for in a post-procedure moisturizer is occlusives like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. This fragrance-free, ultra-hydrating moisturizer is one of my favorites for effectively moisturizing severely flaky, dry and inflamed areas. Best of all, it can be picked up at your local drugstore.
“When considering sunscreens, it is best to use one that’s mineral based, as these tend to be less irritating,” Garshick says. This mineral-based tinted sunscreen is formulated with good-for-skin ingredients like green tea, gotu kola and horse chestnut. Not only does it effectively protect my skin from the sun but it acts as a soothing primer and blurs any imperfections.
If I’m not outdoors post-procedure and need a little less coverage, I always turn to this mineral-based sunscreen, which was created by Kim himself, who states that “it’s important to reapply every two hours, even indoors.” It’s typically advised to avoid makeup for a few days after in-office treatments so you don’t irritate the skin further, so I love that it’s formulated with a sheer tint that instantly melts into my skin. The product is also made with ultra-hydrating squalane and niacinamide.
Red light therapy is an increasingly popular way to help speed up post-procedure recovery. The Faceware Pro was the first RLT device I ever splurged on and has significantly helped reduce inflammation, pain and swelling after treatments as well as promote acne scar healing.
I’m all about habit stacking, so when I want to maximize my results, I turn to this full-body, at-home red light device. I use it for 20 minutes each night, and I’ve seen noticeable improvements in the overall appearance of my skin and body.
My skin is never not dehydrated after lasering and microneedling, so I incorporate this viral bedside humidifier into my overnight skin care routine. It hydrates rooms up to 500 square feet, which helps promote hydrated, dewy-looking skin while I sleep.
I like to do everything in my power to maximize my results, so having a pillowcase that combats unwanted bacteria is especially important to me. Its coating is made up of antibacterial silver ions, and it also feels silky soft to the touch and never irritates my sensitive skin the way linen does.