Short answer: In the first 72 hours after a procedure — a peel, microneedling, laser, or similar — your skin is healing, not improving. The goal for those three days is simple: keep it clean, calm, and protected, and stay out of its way. No actives, no exfoliation, no experiments. Gentle support now is what lets the results show later.
What is happening to your skin
A procedure deliberately creates controlled injury to prompt the skin to renew. Immediately afterward the barrier is open and inflammation is high — which is normal and necessary, but it also means the skin is temporarily fragile and reactive. The first 72 hours are about supporting that early healing, not pushing for more.
The first 72 hours: what to do
Cleanse gently. A mild, non-stripping cleanser and lukewarm water. No scrubbing, no washcloths, no anything that creates friction.
Soothe and support repair. This is where barrier-supporting, anti-inflammatory ingredients earn their place. Centella asiatica is used widely after procedures precisely because its active compounds support wound healing and calm inflammation (Centella asiatica wound-healing review, 2024).
Hydrate and protect. Keep the skin comfortable with simple hydration, and once cleared by whoever performed your procedure, protect it from the sun rigorously. Fresh, healing skin pigments easily.
The first 72 hours: what to avoid
No retinoids, no vitamin C, no exfoliating acids, no physical scrubs, no actives of any kind unless your provider specifically tells you otherwise. The instinct to "help it along" with your strongest products is exactly wrong here — it disrupts healing and risks irritation or pigment. Let the skin do its work.
How we think about it
Post-procedure is the clearest case of barrier repair being the entire job. A soothing, centella-based step like the Repair Serum fits this window well, followed by a simple sealing cream. We cover why repair sometimes takes priority over everything else in when barrier repair is the whole job.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my retinol or vitamin C after a procedure?
Not in the first 72 hours unless your provider says otherwise. Active ingredients can disrupt early healing and irritate fragile skin.
When can I go back to my normal routine?
It depends on the procedure and your skin, but actives are usually reintroduced gradually after the initial healing window. Follow your provider's guidance.
Why is sun protection so important afterward?
Freshly healed skin pigments very easily, so unprotected sun exposure can cause dark spots on skin that is still recovering.
What if my skin stings when I apply something?
Stinging is a sign the product is too much for healing skin. Stop it and stick to gentle, soothing, hydrating steps.
The takeaway
For the first 72 hours, keep it clean, calm, and protected, and skip every active. Gentle support now is what lets the procedure's results show later. To build a recovery-minded routine, start with your skin concern.
— SORREL & CO · sorrel.skin
References
- Topical application of Centella asiatica in wound healing: recent insights into mechanisms and clinical efficacy. 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11510310/