Laser resurfacing, filler and other advanced treatments can deliver beautiful results. But clients often ask me what they should be doing before and after those appointments, and the honest answer is: quite a lot. The weeks around an advanced treatment matter almost as much as the treatment itself. That's where partnering with a knowledgeable esthetician comes in.
To be clear up front: I don't perform lasers or injectables. Those belong with a qualified medical provider. My role is to be your skin partner on either side of that appointment, helping your skin go in healthy and come out the other side calm, protected and supported.
Why the weeks before an advanced treatment matter
Laser resurfacing works by creating a controlled injury in the skin, which triggers a wound-healing response and collagen remodeling (Angra et al., 2021). In other words, your results depend on how well your skin heals. Skin that starts out irritated, sunburned or with a compromised barrier is not in the best position to do that work.
Pigmentation is the other big concern, especially here in the Las Vegas valley. A 2025 systematic review notes that post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark marks left behind after inflammation) has been reported in roughly 10% to 20% of people with skin of color who undergo laser therapy. The most successful preventive measure in the studies reviewed was sunscreen, and the authors note that sun protection should ideally start at least two weeks before a procedure (Mar et al., 2025).
What "prepping your skin" really means
Skin prep isn't about piling on strong products. In fact, one randomized study of 100 CO2 laser patients found that using glycolic acid or a tretinoin and hydroquinone combination for at least two weeks beforehand did not reduce hyperpigmentation after treatment compared with no pretreatment at all (West & Alster, 1999). So the goal is not a dramatic "pre-laser regimen." It's simpler and smarter than that.
When a client tells me they have an advanced treatment coming up, here's what I focus on:
Consistent daily sunscreen. We make sure you have a broad-spectrum SPF you'll actually wear every day, starting weeks ahead.
A calm, healthy barrier. We pull back anything that's causing redness, stinging or flaking so your skin isn't already stressed on treatment day.
Timing. We plan facials, peels and exfoliation around your appointment date so nothing overlaps or irritates the area beforehand.
Your provider's instructions come first. If your injector or laser provider asks you to stop a specific product or start a prescription, that's the plan. I'll help you build a routine around it.
Supporting your skin while it heals
After laser resurfacing, healing typically takes several days to several weeks, depending on how deep the treatment went (Angra et al., 2021). Aftercare protocols vary from provider to provider, but they commonly include gentle cleansing, an occlusive ointment while the skin re-epithelializes, no picking or peeling, and daily sunscreen once the skin has healed (Angra et al., 2021).
It's also worth knowing that research on post-laser topicals is still limited. A review of newer post-laser products concluded that the evidence wasn't strong enough to recommend any specific topical agent (Angra et al., 2021). That's one more reason I don't believe in overcomplicating your routine during recovery.
Here's how I help during the healing window:
Keeping it simple. Fewer products, gentler formulas and no unnecessary actives until your provider clears you.
Answering the "is this normal?" questions. I can help you think through your routine, and I'll always send you back to your provider for anything that looks like a medical concern.
Protecting your results from the sun. Post-procedure skin is vulnerable, and sunscreen is your best tool for preventing dark marks (Mar et al., 2025).
Easing you back into treatments. Once your provider says your skin is healed, I'll customize your facials so we support your results instead of fighting them.
What about filler and other injectables?
Filler doesn't create the same kind of surface wound as a laser, but the timing of your skin treatments still matters. I always ask clients about recent injections so I can adjust my approach, including how and where I use massage, pressure and devices during a facial. Your injector's aftercare instructions come first, and I'm happy to work around them.
A good rule of thumb: tell every skin professional you see about every treatment you've had recently. It helps all of us keep your skin safe and your results looking their best.
How to work with me before and after your treatment in Henderson
If you have an advanced treatment on the calendar, the best time to book with me is a few weeks before. That gives us time to get your skin and your sunscreen habit where they need to be.
Start with a consultation. The New Client Consultation + Curated Facial ($175, 90 minutes) pairs a 30-minute consultation with a 60-minute facial, so we can talk through your upcoming treatment, your current routine and your timeline.
Get a clear picture of your skin. Through December 31, 2026, new clients get a free full Bio-Logic skin scan with their first Curated Facial, a great baseline before any advanced treatment.
Build your at-home plan. A few products I often recommend for a simple, barrier-friendly routine: the EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser, the EltaMD Skin Recovery Serum and the EltaMD UV Skin Recovery SPF 50. Always check with your provider before using anything on freshly treated skin.
Come back once you're healed. When your provider clears you, we'll pick back up with curated facials tailored to where your skin is now.
Want to go deeper? Read my guides on how to repair a damaged skin barrier and the best mineral sunscreens for the Las Vegas sun.
Your skin deserves a partner
Advanced treatments are an investment, and the right support before and after can help you protect it. If you're planning laser resurfacing, filler or another procedure, I'd love to be part of your team. Book your consultation online or send me a message, and let's get your skin ready at my Henderson studio.
This post is for education only and isn't medical advice. Always follow the instructions of the provider performing your treatment.
References
Angra, K., Lipp, M. B., Sekhon, S., Wu, D. C., & Goldman, M. P. (2021). Review of post-laser-resurfacing topical agents for improved healing and cosmesis. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 14(8), 24–32. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34840654/
Mar, K., Maazi, M., Khalid, B., Ahmed, R., Wang, O. J., & Khosravi-Hafshejani, T. (2025). Prevention of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in skin of colour: A systematic review. Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 66(3), 119–126. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajd.14432
West, T. B., & Alster, T. S. (1999). Effect of pretreatment on the incidence of hyperpigmentation following cutaneous CO2 laser resurfacing. Dermatologic Surgery, 25(1), 15–17. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1524-4725.1999.08123.x
