DAY OF AND DAY AFTER LASER SKIN RESURFACING PROCEDURE Sleep on your back with your head elevated about 30-40 degrees (2-3 pillows). Do not sleep on your side. Keeping your body more upright will minimize swelling. You do not want the laser treated areas to be pressing against your pillow.
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. Staying hydrated and eating healthy also promotes healthy skin renewal.
All patients should avoid direct sunlight for 4-6 weeks after surgery. Using sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide brimmed hat are necessary. It is also important to protect your healing skin from sunlight that comes through car or office windows. Using a high quality sun screen with at least SPF 30 is recommended.
The recovery time is up to 3 to 5 days for the non-ablative lasers, and 1 to 2 weeks for the ablative lasers. You should avoid sun exposure, or use a good sunscreen, for several weeks afterwards to minimize the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
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.
Drugstore brands such as CeraVe, Cetaphil, Eucerin, and Neutrogena make gentle, hydrating moisturizers that can be used after laser treatments.
DAY OF AND DAY AFTER LASER SKIN RESURFACING PROCEDURE
Sleep on your back with your head elevated about 30-40 degrees (2-3 pillows). Do not sleep on your side. Keeping your body more upright will minimize swelling. You do not want the laser treated areas to be pressing against your pillow.
In general, the areas heal in five to 21 days, depending on the nature of the condition that was treated and type of laser used. Once the areas have healed, makeup may be worn to camouflage the pink to red color that is generally seen after laser skin resurfacing.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, high-sodium foods, high sugar foods, Niacin supplements, refined carbohydrates, and spicy foods for 48 hours after treatment.
Ablative lasers are best for individuals with significant skin damage or aging concerns who are looking for substantial improvements. However, because they are more aggressive, they come with longer recovery times and a higher risk of side effects like redness, swelling, and scarring.
Individuals up to their 50s benefit greatly from laser fractional resurfacing treatments. Skin concerns like sun damage and deeper wrinkles are common in this age group.
Laser resurfacing can lead to a bacterial, viral or fungal infection. The most common infection is a flare-up of the herpes virus — the virus that causes cold sores. Changes in skin color. Laser resurfacing can cause treated skin to become darker or lighter than it was before treatment.
It is critically important to keep the treated areas moist at all times. They should never be allowed to dry and form crusts. For the first 24 hours after the surgery, simply keep reapplying ointment (Vaseline or other ointment as prescribed by the office) to keep the treated areas moist.
Depending on which type of laser treatment you choose, you can see a difference within weeks. Even if you don't see immediate improvement, your initial results will continue to improve throughout the year.
Recovery instructions for post-laser skin resurfacing
You may wash your face 2-5 times a day using saline solution or dilute vinegar solution, depending on a dermatologist's recommendation. Sleep on an extra pillow during the first four nights after the procedure.
You can expect that the treated area will peel. After that, the new, rejuvenated skin will be pink, but it will gradually lighten over two to three months. It may take up to a year for the pinkness to go away. It is very important to protect your skin during this time of healing.
Ensure that you eliminate the chance of discomfort during your laser hair removal treatments by avoiding caffeine for a full 24 hours prior to your appointment. Afterward, it's safe to go crazy and get an extra large latte, even though it might not be the best for your skin.
In contrast, individuals whose resurfacing treatment reached medium depths can typically expect approximately five to seven days of “downtime,” and those who received deep laser treatment usually require about eight to twelve days of recovery before resuming normal schedules and activities in public.
In general, most patients describe the feeling as mild to moderate discomfort rather than outright pain. You often compare it to the sensation of a rubber band snapping against your skin or a mild sunburn.
The journey of collagen rebuilding after laser skin resurfacing is a gradual but transformative process. Patients can witness immediate improvements in the weeks following the procedure, with continued enhancement over the next several months.
Look for moisturizers that contain hyaluronic acid or glycerin to help lock in moisture and keep your skin moist. Avoid using products with fragrances or alcohol as these can irritate the delicate layers of skin post-laser treatment.
Can I sleep on my side after microneedling? It's best to sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated for the first night after microneedling. This minimizes the risk of irritation and ensures that your skin stays clean while it begins to heal.
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.
It's recommended to wait at least 6-8 hours after a laser hair removal session before taking a shower; which should be cold or very mild. This gives the skin time to cool down and for any redness or swelling to subside.