How to combine skincare with treatments — what works with what?

What to pause, and when?

Before laser treatments and peels:

• Ingredient · When to pause before the treatment
• Ingredient: Retinol / retinoids — When to pause before the treatment: 5–7 days before (laser), 3–5 days (before a peel)Ingredient: Retinol / retinoidsWhen to pause before the treatment: 5–7 days before (laser), 3–5 days (before a peel)
• Ingredient: AHA acids (glycolic, lactic 10%+) — When to pause before the treatment: 3–5 days beforeIngredient: AHA acids (glycolic, lactic 10%+)When to pause before the treatment: 3–5 days before
• Ingredient: BHA acids (salicylic 2%+) — When to pause before the treatment: 3–5 days beforeIngredient: BHA acids (salicylic 2%+)When to pause before the treatment: 3–5 days before
• Ingredient: Vitamin C 15%+ — When to pause before the treatment: 1–2 days beforeIngredient: Vitamin C 15%+When to pause before the treatment: 1–2 days before
• Ingredient: Azelaic acid 15%+ — When to pause before the treatment: 3 days beforeIngredient: Azelaic acid 15%+When to pause before the treatment: 3 days before
• Ingredient: Benzoyl peroxide — When to pause before the treatment: 3–5 days beforeIngredient: Benzoyl peroxideWhen to pause before the treatment: 3–5 days before

Why: active acids and retinoids speed up epidermal turnover. This thins the protective layer. That raises the risk of thermal reactions, irritation and hyperpigmentation after laser treatment.

Before injectables (Botox, fillers, biostimulators):

• Substance · When to pause
• Substance: Aspirin, ibuprofen — When to pause: 7–10 days before (bruising risk)Substance: Aspirin, ibuprofenWhen to pause: 7–10 days before (bruising risk)
• Substance: Supplements: omega-3, vitamin E, garlic — When to pause: 5–7 days beforeSubstance: Supplements: omega-3, vitamin E, garlicWhen to pause: 5–7 days before
• Substance: Alcohol — When to pause: 24–48 hours beforeSubstance: AlcoholWhen to pause: 24–48 hours before

No need to pause before injectables:

✅ Retinol (no effect) ✅ Niacinamide ✅ SPF ✅ Ceramides and moisturisers

After the treatment — what to use, and what to avoid?

After laser therapy (DYE-VL, Pixel, ClearLift):

What to use: ✅ Panthenol (vitamin B5) — soothing ✅ Aloe vera — cooling, hydrating ✅ Mineral SPF 50+ — mandatory for at least 2 weeks ✅ A gentle cream with no active ingredients

What to avoid (for 7–14 days): ❌ Retinol ❌ AHA/BHA acids ❌ Vitamin C above 10% ❌ Irritating products (alcohol, essential oils) ❌ Sauna, hot baths ❌ Swimming pools (chlorine)

After chemical peels:

It depends on the depth:

Superficial (BHA, Ferulac, PRX-T33):

• 3–7 days: hydration and SPF only
• After 7 days: you can gradually return to your routine

Deeper (Cosmelan, TCA):

• 2–4 weeks: gentle skincare only
• Retinol: at least 4–6 weeks after the treatment (as advised by your doctor)

After injectables (Botox, fillers):

For 24 hours: ❌ Don't massage or press on the injection site ❌ Avoid strenuous exercise (raises blood pressure) ❌ Avoid sauna and hot baths ❌ Don't lie down for 4 hours after Botox (this prevents the toxin from migrating)

For 2 weeks: ❌ Don't have dermabrasion or peels over the injection site

Can you use retinol at night and have a treatment during the day?

Botox/fillers: Yes — retinol has no effect on injectable results.

Laser/peel: No — retinol applied the night before actively prepares the skin. This thins the epidermis and raises the risk. Allow at least 5 retinol-free nights before laser treatment.

When can you resume your routine after treatment?

• Ingredient
• Ingredient: Niacinamide — After peels: After 5–7 days — After laser: After 5–7 days — After injectables: Straight awayIngredient: NiacinamideAfter peels: After 5–7 daysAfter laser: After 5–7 daysAfter injectables: Straight away
• Ingredient: Vitamin C below 10% — After peels: After 7 days — After laser: After 7 days — After injectables: Straight awayIngredient: Vitamin C below 10%After peels: After 7 daysAfter laser: After 7 daysAfter injectables: Straight away
• Ingredient: Azelaic acid — After peels: After 7–10 days — After laser: After 7–10 days — After injectables: Straight awayIngredient: Azelaic acidAfter peels: After 7–10 daysAfter laser: After 7–10 daysAfter injectables: Straight away
• Ingredient: BHA 1–2% — After peels: After 10–14 days — After laser: After 14 days — After injectables: Straight awayIngredient: BHA 1–2%After peels: After 10–14 daysAfter laser: After 14 daysAfter injectables: Straight away
• Ingredient: Retinol — After peels: After 14–21 days — After laser: After 14–21 days — After injectables: Straight awayIngredient: RetinolAfter peels: After 14–21 daysAfter laser: After 14–21 daysAfter injectables: Straight away
• Ingredient: AHA acids above 5% — After peels: After 14 days — After laser: After 14–21 days — After injectables: Straight awayIngredient: AHA acids above 5%After peels: After 14 daysAfter laser: After 14–21 daysAfter injectables: Straight away

The gold standard after every treatment

• Cleansing: Very gentle (micellar water or cleansing milk)

• Hydration: Ceramides and panthenol

• SPF 50+: Mineral, every day, for at least 2 weeks

Three steps — no exceptions — after every treatment with downtime.

J'ADORE INSTYTUT — Krakow | Warsaw Żelazna | Warsaw Aleje

→ Medical peels — series of treatments | → Laser therapy — preparation and aftercare | → Skin after isotretinoin | → Cosmetology consultation