Many people often have various skin concerns and for that reason they often undergo cosmetic surgery such as laser treatments , chemical peeling, microneedling and acne scar treatments which totally weakens the skin barrier. This makes the post-procedure skin care quite difficult as the skin even gets irritated by the products that we were using before. A face wash is one of the important and foundational steps in a skin care routine.
A cleanser helps in removing the day’s dust, oil, sweat and other environmental contaminants from the skin pores and gives a refreshing look on the face. However people frequently face challenges in picking the right cleanser as some cleansers contain harsh chemicals which totally strips off the skin moisture.
Thus in this blog we shall discuss the importance of gentle cleansing, main characteristics of cleanser, ingredients you should avoid and building a post-procedure simple skin care regimen which will help you to select the best gentle cleanser for your skin that aids in maintaining the skin barrier.
Importance of Gentle Cleansing
After we undergo any kind of cosmetic procedures like laser treatment or microneedling, it totally weakens the skin’s protective barrier which makes the skin vulnerable for some time. However if you use a harsh cleaner on the weakened barrier it will remove the moisture of the skin that results in making the skin more dried.
For that reason, dermatologists recommend the patients who have undergone treatment to look for a gentle cleanser which is free from harsh ingredients and helps in removing the excess oil, dust and other contaminants from the skin without withdrawing the skin moisture. This helps in skin healing post-procedure.
Key Characteristics in a Gentle Cleanser
Choosing the right cleanser out of all these available face wash can be difficult, however you can consider these characteristics to select a gentle cleanser:
Gentle Formula
Face wash that contains gentle formulas are highly recommended by the experts as it helps in removing the excess oil and contaminants without withdrawing the skin’s natural moisture. Moreover you should avoid face wash that contains exfoliating acids, combination of ingredients and harsh sulphates because they can strip away the skin moisture and leave the skin more dried.
Barrier Friendly Ingredients
People should look for face wash which contains hydrating or barrier friendly ingredients such as glycerin or ceramides which helps in keeping the skin hydrated and restoring the skin barrier. But you should strictly avoid cleansers with harsh surfactants as they can even remove the skin oil.
Fragrance Free Formula
Many face wash comes with artificial perfumes and colorants in it to make the cleanser more pleasant. But it totally contributes to allergic reactions, skin irritation while it does not provide any benefits to the skin. For that reason, experts suggest using a cleanser which is free from soap, synthetic fragrances and colorants to avoid any skin related problems.
Ingredients You Should Avoid
After the cosmetic treatment, the skin barrier temporarily weakens and using the wrong product can totally worsen the skin barrier. That’s why you should avoid these ingredients during your post-procedure skin recovery.
- Alcohols: Simple alcohols such as methanol and ethanol evaporate quickly while also taking out the essential moisture out of epidermis and leaving it cracked.
- Exfoliating Products: Higher strength of glycolic acid face wash or topical retinoids should also be avoided if not prescribed by the doctor. As they exfoliate the skin’s outermost layer that sometimes leads to raw skin and hyperpigmentation.
- Harsh Surfactants: Even though sulphates contain cleansing properties, harsh sulphates such as sodium lauryl sulphate can totally remove away the skin’s natural oil and leave the skin more dry post-cleansing.
A Simple Post-Procedure Skincare Routine
After any cosmetic treatment, the skin barrier temporarily gets weakened and skin becomes vulnerable. That’s why it needs a proper skin care routine which helps in restoring the skin barrier and preventing further skin damage. A simple skin care regimen looks like:
- Cleansing: It is the first step, using the gentle cleanser helps in removing the dust, oil and trapped impurities from the skin pores without disturbing the skin barrier.
- Moisturize: After cleansing, moisturize steps come. An oil free and soothing moisturizer helps in providing moisture to the skin barrier and prevents dry skin.
- Sunscreen: Weakened skin barrier makes the skin more sensitive to sun and excessive sun exposure totally contributes to tanning, dullness, fine lines and premature wrinkles. That’s why applying sunscreen having spf 30 or higher with broad spectrum helps in protecting the skin from sun damage.
Similarly you can implement the same routine during night time, however apply a barrier supporting serums which helps in faster recovery instead of sunscreen.
How to Use the Face Wash Safely?
After cosmetic treatment, using proper technique while washing the face wash is also important to remove the impurities properly and avoid any side effects. You might ponder the following steps during face cleansing:
- Wash the hands properly to remove the dust and germs.
- Kindly rinse the face thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- Aggressive scrubbing the face can totally cause micro tears. That’s why gently massage the cleanser on the face for about 1-2 minutes and clear it off with water.
- Dry the face with a clean towel.
- Apply oil free and non-comedogenic moisturizer on the face.
The Bottom Line
After any cosmetic treatment, skin needs proper care for restoring the weakened barrier. A gentle cleanser becomes a valuable addition as it helps in removing the excess oil and other impurities from the skin while also minimizing the unnecessary irritation. However knowing about why gentle cleansing matters, key qualities to look for in a cleanser and ingredients to avoid help the person to pick the best gentle cleanser.
In addition gentle cleansers only provide benefits when it is used properly which is why knowing proper technique while washing is also essential. But cleanser alone cannot help in faster healing. That’s why following a good skincare routine which consists of gentle cleansing, hydrating moisturizer and sunscreen helps the skin barrier to heal faster while also preventing further damage.
