You’ve just had a cosmetic procedure to improve your skin and soon will look better than ever. But the recovery process has you feeling blue. You had to take time off of work, missed that girls night out - and to top it all off your skin is inflamed and itchy. Luckily we have you covered! Listed below are 5 tips to keep you comfortable, heal quickly and look your best while you recover and keep your skin in optimal repair.

1. Be Gentle

Take extra care with your newly compromised skin. It is important to use gentle cleansers to keep the area clean without stressing your skin. 

Hydration is extremely important which is why we created our Oxygenating Hydro-Matrix moisturizer which contains no added water, oil, artificial colors, parabens, or fragrance. This unique moisturizer is aloe vera based, cooling the skin on contact. Hydro-Matrix attracts oxygen to the skin, allowing it to breathe and heal more efficiently than your skin would on its own making it not only great for everyday use but also the perfect post-procedure choice.

2. Practice Sun Protection

It’s important to protect your skin from the sun, especially the first following days after your procedure. 

Sun Protection Do’s and Don’ts:

DON’T use any SPF over 40 according to our source WebMD, as it will clog your pores. Our Oxygenetix Foundation has an SPF of 30, protecting your skin from UVA and UVB rays. (This revolutionary foundation has been used by medical professionals around the world for years as a go-to post-procedure product. Not only does it act as a makeup, allowing patients to get back to their social lifestyle immediately, it also has a special formula healing the skin throughout the day. The patented Ceravitae™ allows Oxygen to uptake to the skin cells via osmosis. This creates rapid cellular turnover, accelerating wound healing. The days of Post-procedure downtime are over!)

DON’T wait until you’re outside. Sunscreen needs a good 20 minutes to provide full protection. If you wait, you might as well be wearing nothing at all for that first half-hour you’re outdoors.

DO protect your eyes. The thin skin around your eyes needs extra protection. It’s important to take this step even if you’re wearing UV-protection sunglasses because the reflection of the glasses can magnify UV exposure.

DO make sure you keep Oxygenetix with you at all times. Our products last all day under normal circumstances, but like all sunscreens - should be reapplied after 90 minutes of water exposure like when swimming.

3. Allow Healing

Allow your skin to heal. This means no picking or peeling your scabs! We know it can be tough to resist; just remember the amazing results that await you. Using products that protect your skin will assist you in your efforts like our Oxygenating Foundation that adheres, acting as a soothing second skin. 

4. Hydrate

When your skin is healing it is absolutely necessary to drink water as it will flush out any toxins. Fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges all have great anti-inflammatory properties. Add them to your water for a more enjoyable and healing beverage! Chop up your fruit to allow the juices to infuse with your water. Make pitchers as an easy go to in your fridge. 

5. Eat Pro-Healing Foods

Eating healthy is vital now that your skin needs all the nutrition it can get. You will benefit from an increase in calories, protein and Vitamins A, C, and Zinc. Additionally, anti-inflammatory foods will assist in any redness and swelling of the skin. Here is a list of foods that are known to promote healing AND have anti-inflammatory properties:

• Dark green leafy vegetables such as kale, chard, collard greens, spinach, and broccoli are packed with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. These power foods are anti-aging, healing plants!
• Citrus fruits are great sources of Vitamin C. Strawberries and tomatoes are also anti-inflammatory making them perfect post-procedure go-to’s.
• Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, and sardines are packed with Omega-3 fatty acids. These healing oils stop inflammation in its tracks as well as promote early healing. Those are some powerful fish!
• Nuts and seeds, especially almonds, have great protein and are naturally anti-inflammatory making them great for skin healing.

Having a great post-procedure regimen is just as important as choosing the right plastic surgeon. Post-procedure care will depend on the type of procedure you get of course. For non-invasive, gentler procedures such as microdermabrasion, botox, and chemical peels, you can go back to your daily routine much more quickly. Surgical procedures take more time to heal and a different sort of care. Always consult with your doctor for recommendations specific to you.

By taking care of your skin post-procedure, your results will be stunning! We wish you a speedy recovery.

Sources:

WebMD

Harvard Health

Cleveland Clinic