hello. I am interested in laser resurfacing for sun damage and acne scars. But despite taking care of my skin with moisturizer and SPF 50, my skin has always been very sensitive. I assume the skin barrier is permanently damaged. So, can people with damaged skin barriers also receive CO2 or erbium laser resurfacing? I know that skin patches are taken ahead of time, and if that’s ok, does that mean the risk is minimal? Any advice is appreciated.

Thank you for this question. I think many people are wondering what causes sensitive skin and what to do about it. I’m going to assume that by “sensitive skin” you mean that your skin seems to be easily irritated by skincare products, redness, scrubs, wind, cold, and other environmental exposures. If I have misunderstood anything, please reply and correct me. 🙂

In Part 2, we’ll look at repair methods, laser procedures, and what we think about the issue.

Before we go any further, let’s say that there are many causes of sensitive skin, and chronic (as opposed to acute sunburn) sun damage usually isn’t high on the list. You may need a qualified dermatologist to help you.

Consider the following

1. Could it be that I have undiagnosed rosacea or lupus or another skin condition causing sensitivity?
2. Do you have hay fever, asthma tendencies in general, allergies to trees, pollen, etc.? This makes you more likely to develop skin allergies to chemicals in skincare products.
3. Have you ever had more than 2-3 bad reactions to skincare products? These can range from low-grade chronic irritation to full-blown rashes or hives. You may be allergic to certain chemicals in skin care products. If so, I highly recommend getting a “patch test” from your dermatologist to help you identify and avoid these chemicals.
4. Are you using too many “exfoliants” every day, like tretinoin, retinol, alpha and beta hydroxy acids, scrubs, loofahs, etc.? If you have used it excessively, give your skin sufficient rest for 2 to 4 weeks using only CeraVe cleanser, cream, and sunscreen containing only zinc oxide.

The importance of starting with resting your skin

First, while sun damage and/or sensitive skin can almost always be treated, you’ll need to be a bit of a detective and be patient. There is nothing immediate. Please note that lasers and radiofrequency devices have small needles or laser beams that do not worsen sun damage. Additionally, it usually does not cause sensitive skin for more than 2-3 days during the healing process. For example after using a deep CO2 laser. If you have a skin disease or problem, it is important to address it prior to treatment.

Aside from visiting a dermatologist if necessary, the first thing you should do is give your skin a break for two to four weeks.

Here’s how to do it:

• Discontinue all skin care products you are using.
• Find a gentle cleanser and moisturizer that you know well. Examples include CeraVe, Cetaphil, and Aquaphor.
• Look for a 10-20% zinc oxide sunscreen with a mild base and no other chemical sunscreens. You may have to try several before deciding on one. Check out Amazon, drugstores, etc.
• Take 500 to 1,000 mg of Vit C and 1 to 2,000 iu of Vit D orally per day and consume at least 30 to 50 g of protein daily. If you are very active, take more.
• Do this morning and night without cheating for 2-4 weeks! If you’re not sure about two weeks, go for the full four weeks.
• If you have acne, continue taking your acne medication, but talk to your doctor about whether it may be irritating you.

Hope this helps,

Dr. Brandis Irwin, MD
Skin Tour Founder
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