SWELLING AND BRUISING: The area treated will be red and raw and will then heal in about 3-7 days for the face and 7-12 for the hands and chest. Swelling and bruising should be resolved over the same time. REDNESS: Persistent redness to pinkness is usually limited to 2-3 weeks.
For the first 2 to 3 days after your treatment:
Apply an ice pack wrapped in a soft cloth to the treated area. Hold the ice pack on the treated area for 15 to 20 minutes. Put the ice pack on the treated area every few hours, or 1 to 5 times each day. After the first 2 to 3 days, use the ice pack as needed.
Like bruising, the swelling will be its worst for the initial days following surgery. It will usually begin to subside after 7 days, and by the second week after surgery, you should see about a 75% reduction. Six weeks after surgery you should see a 90% reduction with continued improvement over the next few months.
The healing process after laser treatment typically occurs in three stages: inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling.
All healing begins with a slight amount of mild inflammation. This type of pain is particularly likely to arise when the health problems are chronic in nature and the nerves are highly sensitized. It usually subsides after a few days but can, in rare cases, may last longer.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, high-sodium foods, high sugar foods, Niacin supplements, refined carbohydrates, and spicy foods for 48 hours after treatment.
You can use ice packs, cold therapy systems, ice baths, or cryotherapy chambers—even the fabled bag of frozen peas. Use cold therapy several times a day for 15–20 minutes at a time to keep swelling down, especially in the first several days after an injury.
Moving and using the muscles in the part of the body that's swollen, especially the legs, might help move fluid back toward the heart. A health care provider can talk about exercises that might reduce swelling. Raise. Hold the swollen part of the body above the level of the heart several times a day.
The body always responds to an injury with a predictable inflammatory response, as the first step towards healing. Redness, heat, swelling and pain are associated with this first stage.
It generally takes 2–3 months for the eye to heal after LASIK, and a person's vision will get clearer as the healing occurs. In most cases, a person's vision is stable and clear around 6 months after surgery.
Immediately after treatment:
Apply aloe vera gel to soothe any red or irritated skin. You can apply cool compresses or ice if needed. For areas that are irritated, use FixMySkin 1% Hydrocortisone Healing Body Balm which soothes rough, cracked or slightly burnt areas.
Will my insurance cover laser skin resurfacing? Insurance does not cover laser resurfacing because it is an elective cosmetic surgery.
While some individuals may experience minimal swelling or none at all, others may notice more pronounced swelling. In most cases, swelling after laser hair removal is temporary and subsides within a few hours to a few days as the skin heals.
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.
Post-Treatment Instructions
If a large facial area has been treated, you may experience swelling. If this occurs, keep your head elevated, and prop it up on several pillows at night. Some over-the-counter Benadryl by mouth at night can help with swelling. Avoid ice packs as these may cause increased swelling.
Swelling normally lasts for a few days. In the first two days, you will experience the most swelling, and it should start to reduce by the third day. Following treatment from your healthcare provider reduces the amount of swelling you might experience.
You may be wondering, does walking reduce swelling after surgery? Walking can help improve your circulation and help fluids drain from the site of the swelling. However, always talk to your doctor before you take up walking after your surgery.
These medicines include lidocaine and bupivacaine. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) lessen the swelling that worsens pain. NSAIDs that may be taken after surgery include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex, Elyxyb) or ketorolac.
Vitamins C and E : These antioxidants help the body recover and manage cell damage. Vitamin C helps improve collagen strength, while vitamin E assists in stabilizing cells.
After you suffer an injury, swelling usually worsens over the first two to four days. It can then last as long as three months as the body attempts to heal itself. If the swelling lasts longer than this, your physical therapist or doctor may need to take a closer look to determine the cause of the delayed healing.
Once you're home, the aftercare process kicks in right away. It's super important to keep the treated area clean and protected to prevent infection. Healing exosomes and silicone gel are often recommended to speed up recovery and reduce redness. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser two to five times a day.
Right After Treatment: Mitigate Swelling and Redness
Most people will experience some redness, swelling, or stinging on the face. An ice pack or cool wet cloth can be applied on the skin to relieve these side effects. An over-the-counter pain reliever can be useful to reduce swelling and alleviate more severe pain.