You will need to apply antibiotic ointment to the area after your treatment. This will help reduce blistering. You should use the antibiotic cream for at least 24 hours. You will need to keep the area clean and dry as it heals.
Aftercare Instructions for Blister Management
It's essential to keep blisters intact. This natural barrier helps protect the wound underneath, allowing it to heal effectively. Applying a thin layer of antibiotic ointment can promote healing. After applying ointment, re-dress the area with a sterile bandage.
You may experience some redness, small bumps, irritation, and temporary discomfort directly after a treatment, but only on the area that was lasered. This is temporary and should go away on its own within a few hours to a couple days. However, you can help soothe the area by using a cooling cream.
Use a gentle wash on the area, and avoid harsh products that could irritate the skin further. My guess is you will see improvement in those bumps within a couple of weeks. If not, I would schedule a follow-up with your doctor for an in-person assessment and treatment recommendations, should that become necessary.
For most people, laser hair removal only causes minimal side effects like temporary redness and tingling lasting 24 hours or less. Some individuals experience more troublesome bumps, breakouts, and irritation lasting days to weeks.
Following laser hair removal, common treatment options for acne include the following: Topical medications: To help reduce swelling, unclog pores, and eliminate acne-causing bacteria, topical medications with ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or retinoids can be applied directly to the affected areas.
Use cold compresses: Applying cold compresses during the first 24 to 48 hours after your treatment can help reduce swelling and discomfort. Stay cool: Avoid hot showers, saunas, and strenuous exercise for the first few days after treatment. Heat can increase inflammation and slow healing.
First-degree burns: These are the mildest burns and heal within a few days to a week. Second-degree burns: These burns are more severe and can take several weeks to heal.
3 in 100 patients develop a scar in the area that has been treated. To reduce this risk it is important that you do not pick, scratch or aggravate the area as removing a scab or blister can increase your risk of developing a scar.
Apply an antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly to the blister and cover it with a nonstick bandage or gauze pad. After several days, cut away the dead skin. Use tweezers and scissors that you sterilize with an antiseptic wipe or rubbing alcohol. Apply more ointment and a bandage.
Keep Your Skin Hydrated: Laser treatments can leave your skin feeling dry and sensitive. Apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer several times a day to replenish moisture and protect the skin's barrier. Apply Sunscreen: Your skin becomes especially sensitive to UV rays after laser treatment.
Rarely, laser hair removal can cause blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin texture. Other rare side effects include graying of treated hair or excessive hair growth around treated areas, particularly on darker skin.
The immediate post laser treatment consists of covering the lasered skin with Vaseline (Aquaphor or whatever the specific product you are instructed to use) and using cold packs for discomfort and swelling. The best treatment to be comfortable is to apply cold compresses to the treated areas of the face.
Drugstore brands such as CeraVe, Cetaphil, Eucerin, and Neutrogena make gentle, hydrating moisturizers that can be used after laser treatments.
Setting Yourself Up For a Smooth Recovery
You can ensure a smoother recovery and better results by avoiding picking at treated skin, keeping healing skin moist and hydrated, using sunscreen, and using gentle skin products.
You may want to use petroleum jelly or an antibiotic cream or ointment, like bacitracin or triple antibiotic ointment. Apply the antibiotic cream or ointment to a non-stick dressing, and then place the dressing (ointment-side down) on the burn. Using antibiotic cream or ointment for longer than a week may cause a rash.
It might be suggested that you apply some type of antibiotic cream or hydrocortisone cream topically over the affected areas. These topical creams help soothe the affected area and protect the skin. While many such creams are available over the counter it is best to use them only if prescribed by a doctor.
First, apply a cool compress to the affected area to reduce swelling and pain. You can also apply aloe vera gel or hydrocortisone cream to help soothe the skin and promote healing. If the burn is severe, seek medical attention right away.
Immediate Care Tips for Post-Laser Recovery
Keep It Cool: Use cool compresses to soothe the skin. Apply gently to reduce swelling and discomfort. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and Moisturize: Hydration is key to skin recovery. Use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer to help maintain moisture balance.
Recovery times will vary depending on your treatment
CO2 laser resurfacing: Generally up to two weeks. Erbium laser resurfacing: One full week.