Pre- and Post-Procedure Skin Care Guide

If you’ve ever had an in-office dermatology treatment—whether a neurotoxin injection or laser resurfacing—you know providers emphasize proper pre- and post-procedure care. Avoiding sweat and staying out of the sun for a set period are essential, but what about your skin-care routine? Before and after any treatment, it’s crucial to stick to gentle products. This is especially important in winter, when dermatologists often see an uptick in professional treatments as cooler weather and less sun make it an ideal time to book procedures.

Ahead, dermatologists and experts break down exactly what to use—and what to avoid—before and after your appointment.

Featured Experts

• Dr. Ben Witkoff is a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon in Miami
• Debra Luftman, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills and Calabasas, CA
• Chelsea Strauser is vice president of buying at Dermstore

What to Look for in Pre-Procedure Skin-Care Products

The key is avoiding potential irritation. Before and after a procedure, you don’t want your skin to be aggravated. “For both pre- and post-procedure skin care, products should avoid provoking or exacerbating inflammation, as excessive inflammation can compromise procedural options and impair healing,” says Miami dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon Dr. Ben Witkoff.

When it comes to pre-procedure care specifically, it’s all about preparing the skin for what comes next. “Use formulations that gently prepare and optimize the skin without causing irritation or inflammatory responses that could restrict the choice or intensity of treatment,” says Dr. Witkoff. Specifically, consider “gentle exfoliants (like low-strength AHAs or PHAs), antioxidants (vitamin C, green tea), barrier-supporting hydrators (hyaluronic acid, glycerin) and broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen at least SPF 30,” says Beverly Hills and Calabasas, CA dermatologist Debra Luftman, MD.

Also remember to “discontinue retinol and prescription retinoids at least one to two weeks before any procedure,” recommends Dr. Witkoff, though your provider should give you exact directions. “Timing for when to resume will depend on the specific treatment.”

What to Look for in Post-Procedure Skin-Care Items

After treatment, the focus shifts even more toward restorative skin care. “The goal is always to support healing, minimize inflammation and protect the skin barrier,” says Dr. Luftman. A smart post-procedure regimen allows for the best experience possible and “is critical to speeding up recovery and yielding the best results from your investment in the treatment,” says Chelsea Strauser, vice president of buying at Dermstore. “Procedure-doers should seek out simple formulas focused on hydration and gentle application. Protecting with sunscreen during the day is crucial as well.”

Post-procedure, there are several ingredients to avoid. Dr. Luftman specifically recommends steering clear of retinoids, high-strength acids, benzoyl peroxide, physical scrubs, cleansing brushes, fragrance, essential oils, menthol, eucalyptus and alcohol-heavy formulations.

Pre-Procedure Skin-Care Product Recommendations

“More than ever, brands are recognizing the need for post-procedure care due to demand and have introduced innovations explicitly meant to optimize in-office results and recovery,” says Strauser. She curated a collection of pre- and post-treatment-friendly products designed to support patients as they prepare for—and recover from—their dermatologist visits. “Many of those listed have clinical trials conducted on patients post-treatment for proof points,” she adds. Check them out below.

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Next, when choosing a serum, Strauser recommends the SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst Exfoliating Booster Serum ($120). Dr. Witkoff suggests using it “once daily for one to two weeks before the procedure as the first step after cleansing.” When used appropriately—Dr. Luftman advises stopping several days beforehand—“it gently accelerates cell turnover and helps create a more even canvas.”

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After your serum, it’s important to seal everything in with a moisturizer. For this step, Strauser recommends the Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream ($49). Dr. Witkoff points out that it’s non-comedogenic, making it especially helpful for oily, breakout-prone skin. Dr. Luftman adds that it’s “well-formulated with barrier-supporting ingredients” and reminds us that “keeping the skin well hydrated pre-procedure helps optimize recovery afterward.”

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Lastly, no skin-care routine is complete without sunscreen, and Strauser recommends the Senté Even Tone Mineral Sunscreen ($75), which Dr. Luftman calls an “excellent” choice. “Mineral sunscreen with anti-inflammatory benefits helps calm skin and prevent pre-procedure UV damage that can compromise healing and pigment outcomes,” she says. Be sure to reapply throughout the day.

Post-Procedure Skin-Care Product Recommendations

It’s all about simple, gentle formulas for the days and weeks after a procedure, especially when it comes to treatments that have longer recovery times like lasers. “The products are gentle and healing and should be fine for most skin types, but it’s always best to discuss your post-treatment plan with your doctor/professional to design what’s best for your skin,” says Strauser. Here’s what her ideal post-procedure skin-care routine looks like.

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Serums often take center stage in post-procedure skin care. There are several worth incorporating, and they can help support and even accelerate the healing process. First up is the iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance Plus ($177), which is “designed for post-procedural use to reduce downtime,” says Dr. Witkoff. It contains a “combination of vitamin C, vitamin E and anti-inflammatory ingredients to support healing, reduce redness and help prevent post-inflammatory pigmentation,” adds Dr. Luftman.

Another option Strauser highlights is the BioEffect 3xGF Recovery Serum ($329). Though it’s a splurge, it uses “a combination of growth factors to accelerate healing time while soothing the skin,” says Dr. Witkoff. Growth factor–based products can be particularly helpful “after energy-based treatments or microneedling,” Dr. Luftman adds.

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Because post-procedure skin care centers on hydration and barrier repair, moisturizers are a core part of the routine. Strauser highlights two of her favorites. First is the Allies of Skin Molecular Barrier Recovery Cream Balm ($95), which Dr. Witkoff calls “excellent” for “soothing and repairing the skin.” Dr. Luftman notes that a barrier-supporting balm like this “is especially beneficial after procedures that disrupt the skin barrier, helping reduce transepidermal water loss and irritation.”

Another option is the SkinCeuticals Advanced RGN-6 Regenerative Cream ($195), which offers serious skin-care benefits whether you’ve had a procedure or not. It “significantly improves aging skin even without procedures,” says Dr. Witkoff.

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Just as with pre-procedure skin care, sunscreen is essential. EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Face Sunscreen SPF 50 ($52) is Strauser’s pick, and with “recovery” in the name, it’s a strong choice for post-procedure skin. “It combines mineral UV protection with barrier-repair and redness-neutralizing benefits—ideal for sensitive, healing skin,” says Dr. Luftman.

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Lastly—and only once the skin is ready—a red light mask can be introduced. Strauser recommends the HigherDose Red Light Face Mask ($349). “Red light therapy can be a helpful adjunct post-procedure, as it may reduce inflammation and support collagen production when used as directed and once the skin is ready,” says Dr. Luftman.