Your Post-Procedure Skincare Routine: How to Maintain Results After a MedSpa Treatment
Your Post-Procedure Skincare Routine: How to Maintain Results After a MedSpa Treatment
You’ve just invested in a MedSpa treatment—whether it’s a HydraFacial, chemical peel, microneedling session, laser treatment, or injectable—and your skin is glowing. But what you do after your appointment is just as important as the treatment itself.
Proper post-procedure skincare not only protects your skin but also maximizes results, extends longevity, and prevents irritation. At The Breazeale Clinic in Knoxville, TN, we guide every patient through a personalized aftercare plan designed to keep your skin healthy, renewed, and radiant long after your visit.
Here’s your complete post-treatment skincare guide—what to do, what to avoid, and how to build the perfect routine based on your exact MedSpa service.
Why Post-Procedure Care Matters
After any aesthetic treatment, your skin enters a heightened state of sensitivity. Even non-invasive procedures create controlled micro-injuries or temporarily weaken the skin barrier to stimulate cell turnover or collagen production.
During this time, your skin is:
More permeable
More reactive
More vulnerable to UV exposure
More prone to dehydration
In a prime position to absorb beneficial ingredients
This makes it the best time to nourish and protect your skin—and the worst time to use harsh, fragranced, or active products.
Proper post-care ensures:
✔ Faster healing
✔ Longer-lasting treatment results
✔ Reduced risk of inflammation or irritation
✔ Better texture, clarity, and glow
Let’s break down exactly how to care for your skin based on what treatment you received at The Breazeale Clinic.
General Post-Procedure Rules for ALL MedSpa Treatments
No matter what type of MedSpa service you choose, there are universal skincare rules that apply to the first 24–72 hours afterward:
1. Go Gentle
Use a mild, non-foaming cleanser. Avoid scrubs, exfoliants, acne products, toners with alcohol, or anything with fragrance.
2. Moisturize More Than Usual
Hydration is essential—your skin is healing and replenishing.
Choose a gentle, ceramide-rich moisturizer to restore your barrier.
3. Sun Protection Is Non-Negotiable
Your skin is especially vulnerable after treatments.
Use:
Mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide)
SPF 30+
No chemical sunscreens for the first 48–72 hours
Sun exposure can dramatically reduce results or cause pigmentation issues—especially after peels or lasers.
4. Avoid Heat and Sweat
For at least 24–48 hours:
No hot yoga
No steam rooms or saunas
No tanning beds
Avoid prolonged sun exposure
Keep workouts mild or skip them
Heat can worsen swelling and inflammation.
5. Don’t Touch or Pick
No rubbing, picking, or scratching—especially after microneedling, HydraFacials, or injectables.
6. Hold Off on Makeup
For most treatments, wait 24 hours before applying makeup.
For microneedling or deeper peels, wait 48–72 hours.
Letting your skin breathe promotes healing and clarity.
Post-Care for Specific MedSpa Treatments
Different treatments require different levels of care. Here’s what to do based on your service at The Breazeale Clinic.
Post-Care After a HydraFacial
A HydraFacial deeply cleanses, exfoliates, and hydrates the skin using vortex technology. Most patients experience an instant glow—but the aftercare matters.
What to Do
✔ Use gentle skincare for 24 hours
✔ Apply a rich moisturizer (your skin may drink it up!)
✔ Protect skin from the sun diligently
Avoid
⛔ Retinol or retinoids for 48 hours
⛔ AHAs/BHAs (glycolic/salicylic acid) for 48 hours
⛔ Heavy makeup the same day
⛔ Intense sweating for 24 hours
What to Expect
Little to no downtime. Some patients feel slightly tight or dry the next day—this is normal and goes away quickly.
Post-Care After Chemical Peels
Your skin’s surface undergoes controlled exfoliation. Peeling may occur depending on the intensity of your peel.
What to Do
✔ Keep skin moisturized
✔ Use a gentle cleanser
✔ Wear mineral SPF daily
✔ Expect tightness and slight redness
Avoid
⛔ Picking at peeling skin
⛔ Retinol or anti-aging products for 5–7 days
⛔ Scrubs or exfoliators
⛔ Direct sunlight
What to Expect
Light peels: mild dryness or flaking
Medium-depth peels: visible peeling for 3–5 days
Deep peels: longer downtime
Peeling is normal—do not pull on loose skin.
Post-Care After Microneedling
Microneedling creates micro-injuries to stimulate collagen production. Your skin will feel warm and sensitive, like a mild sunburn.
What to Do
✔ Use hyaluronic acid for hydration
✔ Keep skin clean
✔ Apply a soothing barrier moisturizer
✔ Avoid sun at all costs
Avoid
⛔ Makeup for 48 hours
⛔ Sweating for 48 hours
⛔ Active ingredients (retinol, AHAs, BHAs) for 7 days
⛔ Vitamin C for 3–5 days
What to Expect
Redness for 24–48 hours
Mild swelling
Skin may feel rough for a few days before smoothing out
Results develop over 4–6 weeks as collagen rebuilds.
Post-Care After Laser Treatments
Lasers can vary widely, from gentle resurfacing to deeper corrective treatments.
What to Do
✔ Keep skin hydrated
✔ Apply cold compresses as recommended
✔ Use only approved skincare products
✔ Apply mineral SPF religiously
Avoid
⛔ Sun exposure
⛔ Picking at darkening spots (especially after pigment-targeting lasers)
⛔ Makeup for 24–48 hours
What to Expect
You may experience redness, swelling, or a sandpaper-like texture depending on the treatment.
Post-Care After Injectables (Botox, Dysport, Fillers)
Injectables have their own specific rules to enhance safety and results.
Botox / Dysport
✔ Stay upright 4–6 hours
✔ Make facial expressions to help product settle
⛔ Avoid workouts for 24 hours
⛔ Don’t rub treated areas
Dermal Fillers
✔ Use ice packs to reduce swelling
✔ Sleep with your head elevated
⛔ Skip alcohol for 24 hours
⛔ Avoid facial massages
⛔ No intense exercise for 24–48 hours
Results vary, but most swelling subsides within 2–3 days.
Building the Perfect Post-Procedure Skincare Routine
Here’s a simple, universal post-treatment routine recommended by The Breazeale Clinic’s medical skincare specialists.
Morning Routine
Gentle Cleanser
Cleans without stripping your barrier.Hydrating Serum (Hyaluronic Acid)
Plumps and soothes the skin.Barrier Repair Moisturizer
Restores compromised skin.Mineral SPF 30+
Protects healing skin from sun damage.
Evening Routine
Gentle Cleanser
Removes sunscreen and buildup.Nourishing Serum
Choose peptides or calming ingredients like niacinamide.Moisturizer
A thicker night cream supports regeneration.
What Ingredients to Avoid After Most Treatments
Avoid for at least 3–7 days depending on your procedure:
Retinol and retinoids
AHAs/BHAs
Vitamin C (some types may irritate)
Benzoyl peroxide
Scrubs or exfoliating brushes
Fragranced products
Essential oils
Chemical sunscreens
These ingredients can cause redness, irritation, or interfere with healing.
How Long Will My Results Last?
Results vary by treatment:
HydraFacial: 2–4 weeks
Chemical peel: 1–3 months
Microneedling: long-term collagen improvement for 6+ months
Laser treatments: months to years depending on type
Botox: 3–4 months
Fillers: 6–18 months
Proper skincare, SPF use, and hydration can extend your results significantly.
Professional Products That Enhance Results
Patients often ask: “Can I use my normal skincare after treatment?”
The truth is: not all skincare is created equal.
Medical-grade products penetrate deeper, work faster, and complement your treatment results.
At The Breazeale Clinic, we often recommend:
Growth factors (post-procedure collagen support)
Peptide serums
Barrier repair creams with ceramides
Mineral SPF
Gentle cleansers formulated for sensitive skin
Your provider can create a personalized regimen based on your skin type, goals, and treatment.
When to Call Your Provider
While side effects are usually minimal, reach out if you experience:
Prolonged redness or swelling
Unexpected pain or tenderness
Signs of infection
Lumpiness after fillers
Any reaction that feels unusual
Our team at The Breazeale Clinic is always here to ensure your healing and results stay on track.
Final Thoughts: Protect Your Investment and Glow Longer
Your MedSpa treatment is the first step toward brighter, smoother, healthier skin. Your post-procedure routine is what keeps those results going strong. With the right skincare, sun protection, and follow-up treatments, you can maintain that fresh, radiant glow for months to come.
At The Breazeale Clinic in Knoxville, we’re committed to guiding you through every step—from your first consultation to your final results and beyond.
Ready to elevate your post-treatment routine or schedule your next appointment?
Visit breazealeclinic.com to get started.
