Acne and milia are common minor side effects. Spontaneous resolution can be expected.
As larger series of patients are being treated and followed, a typical pattern of side effects and complications is being observed. Normal sequelae or side effects include temporary skin problems such as erythema, tightness, or drying of the skin. Milia or acne may occur at the 2- to 4-week interval.
What is the recovery time for CO2 laser skin resurfacing? Recovery time can vary but generally ranges from one to two weeks. During this period, patients may experience redness, swelling, and peeling as the new skin emerges.
During the laser hair removal treatment, the laser's heat can stimulate your skin, leading to an increase in oil production. When excess oil mixes with dead skin cells and gets trapped in your pores, this can cause the pores to become clogged and lead to breakouts.
1. Wash Your Face the Right Way. The most effective way to keep acne from coming back after you've had scars removed with laser treatment is to wash your face. But don't splash your face with soap and water and call it a day.
Certain facials and laser treatments can also cause skin to purge. Reputable aestheticians and facialists will always inform you of these side effects, but it is worth bringing up at your appointment.
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.
Bumps and itching can also occur after laser hair removal. This is usually a sign that the hair is being shed from the follicle. Using a gentle exfoliating scrub can help remove dead skin cells and prevent ingrown hairs.
Results: The incidence of side effects are generally very low for CO2 laser resurfacing, including scarring, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, and infection. However, there is a significant and previously unreported risk of hypopigmentation in an area of the population who often seek improvement in the appearance.
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.
Disadvantages of CO2 Resurfacing
Like dermabrasion, this type of laser resurfacing requires a good deal of recovery time. The patient's skin will be weepy for two weeks and will require thorough cleaning four to five times daily, along with application of ointment to keep the skin from scabbing.
Purging is a simple, practical means of preventing bloater damage in brined cucumbers. In the procedure, dissolved carbon dioxide in the fermenting brine is removed by bubbling nitrogen, inert gas, or air through the brine.
Milia, which are small, white bumps, may appear in the laser-treated areas during healing (up to a month after treatment). These may be removed by gentle cleansing with a washcloth.
Your skin may look inflamed for several months following ablative laser treatment. Acne. Applying thick creams and bandages to your face after treatment can worsen acne or cause tiny white bumps to form for a short time. These bumps also are called milia.
Some patients may experience breakouts after Fraxel treatment. Breakouts occur due to the quick skin turnover. You will require antibiotics if you're dealing with whiteheads or other signs of a breakout in the treated area. Antibiotics can reduce the breakout issue and make it easier for your skin to recover.
After the treatment, you will notice improvements in your skin texture, tone, and appearance. Fine lines, wrinkles, and sunspots noticeably diminish, revealing smoother, younger-looking skin. On average, results from your CO2 laser resurfacing treatment can last between 3 and 5 years.
The Healing Process after Laser Treatment
As the skin heals, new collagen is produced, resulting in smoother, more youthful-looking skin. The healing process after laser treatment typically occurs in three stages: inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling.
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.
We recommend CeraVe Face Moisturizer. DO NOT apply makeup to the treated area until your skin has been reevaluated by the physician. DO NOT put any other creams or lotions on the skin except for the CeraVe Face Moisturizer.
Skin Irritation – Laser treatment can irritate the skin, leading to inflammation and redness. This irritation can sometimes trigger acne-like breakouts, especially in individuals with sensitive skin.
After laser tattoo removal, blisters, or bullae, can form as part of the healing process. These are similar to burn wounds and require careful attention. Clean the area gently but thoroughly with mild soap and water. Avoid touching or scratching the blisters.
The rash appears as small red bumps or pus bumps that can itch or be mildly painful. Folliculitis is common on the buttocks, arms and legs - especially the thighs. Most improve in 7 to 10 days. Sometimes after the rash is gone, dark marks can be left behind.
Remember not to rub in the cleansing cream but only dab it on. You can perform your normal activities but avoid strenuous exercise to reduce sweating in the face. 3 – 4 days after treatment: The skin swelling will resolve but the redness will remain and some flaking of skin will occur.
You will experience a burning sensation following treatment and swelling of the face will develop over the next 24 hours. The burning sensation takes 24-48 hours to resolve. Over the next three to four days the face will feel tight and swollen.
Fortunately, delayed-onset permanent hypopigmentation seen in up to 19% of cases with previous generation CO2 lasers is very uncommon. Nevertheless, fractional lasers are certainly capable of damaging the skin enough to cause excessive fibrosis and disruption of melanogenesis, the causes of hypopigmentation.