Can I use retinol after a tooth extraction?
A visit to the spa and a soothing facial are heavenly, but many skin experts stress that getting facials regularly is not conducive to maintaining overall good skin health. However, for many of us, monthly trips to our favorite spa aren’t a feasible task, so in today’s blog post, we’ll learn how to maintain the impressive results of your facials. We’ll also explore whether or not you can use retinol after a tooth extraction, so without further delay, let’s learn more.
Before we dive in to find out more, here’s a quick summary of retinol and its benefits for your skin.
What is retinol?
Retinol is a retinoid derived from vitamin A that has a variety of benefits in over-the-counter products, medical, and professional skincare formulas. Retinol is often mistakenly referred to as an exfoliant, but it actually speeds up the skin’s natural cell turnover. It removes dead skin cells from the skin, revealing radiant skin underneath. You’ll find a host of benefits that retinol can have on your skin. Here are some of the most common examples.
Retinol reduces hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and sun damage.
Retinol works on the lower layers of the skin to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin.
Retinol can help control bacteria on the skin and fight the appearance of breakouts, spots, and blemishes.
Retinol can fight uneven skin texture and help maintain a smooth complexion.
Retinol can fight signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
Retinol can help clear out enlarged pores and reduce their visibility.
If you want to learn more about retinol and its skin benefits, you can read our dedicated blog post on this powerful force here at The Beauty Insiders.
What to use after a tooth extraction?
If you have a professional tooth extraction, you should heal quickly after the extraction, aside from some minor discomfort during the process and some redness.
If you want to put something on your skin after an extraction, the best ingredients and formulas are something that is lightweight and rich in hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide.
By using these products, you can soothe your skin while locking in moisture and keeping out irritants and impurities. If you notice inflammation after an extraction, avoid heavy formulas to prevent clogging and further inflammation of the skin.
If you are concerned about the effects of applying to your skin, do not disturb it until the next day to allow the skin to naturally rebalance and calm down.
How long does it take for skin to heal after an extraction?
For most extractions, expect 1 to 3 weeks for the wound to heal. Keep in mind that this is the healing time for extractions that do not involve lasers or require sutures. You may find that it takes longer to heal because the skin will have some changes in your skin tone. By this I mean that it may take longer for your skin tone to become more even and for the wound to heal.
If you have questions about the healing of an extraction or are unsure about what skin ingredients to apply to your skin, ask your doctor or dermatologist for help right away.
What should you not do after a facial?
If you have just had a facial, there are some things you should avoid. Here are some examples of things you should avoid to prevent skin damage.
Avoid steam baths
While steam baths may be relaxing, exposing your freshly extracted skin to more steam can cause skin irritation, redness, and inflammation. Therefore, any form of exercise or any activity that causes you to sweat should be avoided for 24 hours after a facial.
Avoid Sun Exposure
Since your facial uses professional ingredients, sunbathing or using tanning beds is a definite no-no. The skin becomes more susceptible to sun damage, which can lead to a host of issues, from fine lines and wrinkles to dark spots caused by sun damage.
Avoid Shaving, Waxing, or Laser Hair Removal
You’ll notice that many facials involve deep exfoliation, especially if you’ve had a professional exfoliation. When any form of hair removal is involved, some form of peeling is also involved. This can be too much for the skin and can cause irritation, redness, and sometimes even burning. To avoid this, try to split your facial and hair removal treatments on different days if possible.
Avoid Strong Retinols and At-Home Peels
Before using at-home peels or applying any form of retinol to your skin, make sure you allow enough time between professional extractions or facials. This is because overusing retinol on skin that has undergone extractions or facials can lead to the skin becoming irritated by stripping it of important sebum and needed moisture.
How Often Should You Get Facial Extraction Procedures?
This largely depends on your skin’s requirements. People who are prone to oiliness and acne will need extractions every four to six weeks to maintain a healthy skin barrier. For those who don’t breakout often, a facial once or twice a month may be enough to maintain skin clarity without causing irritation, dryness, redness, or other reactions.
What Should You Apply to Your Face After Blackhead Removal?
You’ll notice that your pores will appear smaller after blackhead removal because dirt and oil are removed and the pores become less noticeable. To keep your pores clear, you should use an exfoliating toner after blackhead removal, especially one that’s rich in antibacterial ingredients like salicylic acid, as this will remove bacteria, dirt, and debris that remain on the surface of the skin.
Avoid contact with your skin as much as possible to allow the skin to rebalance over 24 hours, or use nourishing and soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid to soothe inflammation.
Now you have a better understanding of how to use retinol after extractions. If you have any additional questions, you can find me on Procoal’s Instagram.
