The recovery time after nonablative laser resurfacing is very short. Your skin might be swollen or change color for a few hours. Use ice packs as needed. Typically, you can resume your usual activities and skin routine right away.
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.
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.
Ablative Lasers
Deeper treatments will naturally require more downtime but can greatly improve the skin's appearance. It significantly reduces wrinkles, lines, and pigmented spots, in addition to improving skin texture. Initial healing typically takes 7 to 10 days, with redness potentially lasting several weeks.
Do not apply make-up over the treated skin for at least 10 days. About 30% of laser patients will experience hyperpigmentation after skin resurfacing. This usually occurs about 4 weeks after the procedure.
Generally, we recommend avoiding putting on makeup for at least 24-48 hours after laser treatment. For more sensitive areas like your face, even longer may be needed. Let any redness and swelling fully resolve before attempting to apply cosmetics. It's important to listen to your own skin too.
During ablative laser resurfacing, an intense beam of light energy is directed at your skin. This laser beam destroys the outer layer of skin, also called the epidermis. At the same time, the laser heats the underlying skin, called the dermis.
Minimal Downtime, Maximum Results
Unlike traditional CO2 laser treatments, which can require up to a week or more of downtime, CoolPeel® CO2 Fractional Laser only requires about two to three days of downtime.
Keep hydrating your skin with a good moisturiser and protect it from the sun. And, if your cosmetic physician or dermal clinician has given you specific aftercare products or instructions, now's not the time to slack off.
For smaller areas such as the top lip, chin or underarms, a session may take just a couple of minutes. For larger areas such as the legs or back, a session takes around 30-40 minutes. Or if you're treating a full body top to toe can range between 1-2 hours.
Drugstore brands such as CeraVe, Cetaphil, Eucerin, and Neutrogena make gentle, hydrating moisturizers that can be used after laser treatments.
For most patients, laser skin resurfacing is not painful or causes very little pain that is manageable. Some people describe the feeling during a laser procedure as a stinging sensation or the feeling of a rubber band being pulled taut and snapped across the skin.
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.
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.
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.
Overexposure to laser light can result in skin burns, varying in severity from mild redness and discomfort to more blistering, severe burns. Individuals with sensitive skin or undergoing multiple laser therapy sessions in a short timeframe are at a higher risk of experiencing these burns.
Your skin may be dry with peeling five to seven days after 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.
In most cases you do not need to continue Aquaphor after one week. People can develop an irritation to the Aquaphor. After three days please call our office if the swelling continues or the area becomes more red, as this could be a reaction to the Aquaphor.
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.
Laser skin resurfacing prices will be based on the expertise and qualifications of the person performing the procedure, the type of procedure used, the time and effort the treatment requires, as well as geographic office location.
Laser resurfacing helps reduce the appearance of acne scars; however, it is not for clients who still have active acne. Patients who have very dark skin, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take specific medications like Accutane may not be viable candidates for laser resurfacing.
Treatment Efficacy
Conversely, waiting too long between treatments can also be counterproductive as it may allow the hair to enter the next growth cycle, reducing the overall effectiveness of the treatment.
A typical result is an 8-10 year reduction in age appearance when laser treatment on the face is done on a highly effective setting so that a 55 year old may look 46 after treatment and healing is complete. Milder treatments can be done, but are not as effective.
Yes, laser resurfacing is considered worth it by many patients due to its ability to deliver significant skin improvements with minimal downtime and cost compared to surgical options.
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.