How To Maximize Your Skinvestment This Winter With RescueMD

Are you planning any in-office treatments this winter? This month, we sat down with top NYC dermatologist, Dr. Marisa Garshick of MDCS: Medical Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Center. Board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medicine, Dr. Garshick, shared why winter is the hottest time of the year for in-office treatments plus, how to maximize your skinvestment with your pre-treatment and post-treatment skincare regimen. 

“The winter months are a common time for treatments that help to address post-summer skin, using lasers and chemical peels to reduce signs of sun damage, including sun spots, fine lines and wrinkles. The winter is especially good for procedures like chemical peels, resurfacing lasers and microneedling that may make the skin more sensitive to the sun given overall decreased UV exposure during this time. Additionally, people often find their winter schedule can accommodate the downtime that may come with some of these procedures. While injectables can be performed all year, the winter months are still a very common time for neuromodulators and fillers.”

“When considering a treatment, be sure to plan ahead and speak with your doctor if there are any products you should use in advance of the procedure and any ingredients to avoid prior to the procedure. In many cases, it is best to avoid retinoids or harsh exfoliants in the days leading up to laser treatments to minimize the potential for irritation. 

On the other hand, there are some ingredients that may help to prep the skin, such as the RescueMD DNA Repair Complex. Using DNA Repair Complex pre-treatment, you will prepare the skin to have a better response to the injuries associated with a cosmetic procedure, which may help with recovery and results. It is recommended to use DNA Repair Complex for at least 7-14 days pre-procedure. You should apply one pump, per area, on clean, dry skin both morning and evening.”

RescueMD customer's results (3 days post-treatment) after Clear + Brilliant with RescueMD post-care regimen. Customer is not a patient of Garshick or MDCS Dermatology.

“After treatment it is always important to follow the directions of your doctor. Some tips for post-procedure include:

Avoid sun exposure. Many lasers, chemical peels and microneedling treatments can make the skin more sensitive to the sun and increase the risk for hyperpigmentation. For this reason, especially while healing, it is important to wear sun protection and avoid sun exposure to minimize the chance of post-procedure hyperpigmentation. 

Avoid harsh exfoliants or retinoids. While getting rid of dead skin cells and retinoid use is generally good for an anti-aging skincare routine, if performed just before and just after a laser or microneedling, it can increase the potential for skin sensitivity which may lead to potential irritation or scarring. For this reason, unless otherwise directed, it is best to avoid these ingredients in the days prior and the days after a procedure.

Opt for gentle products including cleansers, moisturizers and serums. It is important to avoid drying out the skin while the skin is recovering and to use products that can help to moisturize and support the healing process. This means using gentle cleansers that won’t strip the skin of its natural oils, and moisturizers that won’t clog the pores. 

Use products that can support the recovery process. Looking for ingredients that can encourage healing and reduce downtime, without compromising results can be very important. This includes moisturizing, calming and soothing ingredients as well as ingredients that will help encourage repair.”

RescueMD customer's results (5 days post-treatment) after Microneedling with RescueMD post-care regimen. Customer is not a patient of Garshick or MDCS Dermatology.

“What you apply to your skin post-treatment is also important to minimize downtime and maximize results. DNA Repair Complex can be great as a post-procedure serum to support skin recovery and reduce downtime. The various ingredients work together to help reduce downtime and support overall skin health. It contains lapachol to help reduce inflammation and redness, moisturizers like glycerin & dimethicone, which draw moisture in and seals moisture within the skin, and allantoin to soothe the skin. The anti-inflammatory formula helps to calm redness, soothe the skin and support healthy cellular structures within skin as it recovers and renews.”

Always follow the post-care protocol provided by your dermatologist, aesthetician or dermatology provider.