Recovery Period for Full Facial Laser Resurfacing

Recovery Period for Full Facial Laser Resurfacing Videos

Recovery Period for Full Facial Laser Resurfacing

Following laser skin resurfacing, the length of recovery is dependent on the extent of the procedure, with the recovery period being longer for deeper laser resurfacing applied to more areas. This page will describe the recovery period for full facial laser resurfacing.

Following laser resurfacing, your new skin will endure some discomfort, swelling and redness due to the tissue damage caused by the laser vaporizing off the top, damaged skin layer. It most commonly feels like you have mild sunburn. You may experience itching or stinging for 12 to 72 hours after the procedure. Five to seven days after laser resurfacing, your skin will become dry and peel.

Your surgeon will have instructed you on the proper care of your treatment area as well as prescribed you the necessary antibiotics and pain medications to help alleviate your discomfort, make the redness subside more rapidly, and diminish the chances of secondary bacterial infections.

Take your temperature regularly as an elevated temperature could mean that you're developing an infection. Take those antibiotics on time.

Liberal moisturizer application is recommended after healing to keep the skin hydrated. Patients may resume application of Retin-A and/or glycolic acid products around six weeks after laser resurfacing or as directed by their physician.

Cessation of smoking is highly recommended because smoking is known to have harmful effects on the healing process.

Above all, in the months following treatment, it is important to protect the newly laser-resurfaced skin from the sun until all the color has returned to normal. Using sun protection regularly will help to maintain your results and reduce the chance of any new sun damage to your skin. If you must be in the sun, apply a strong broad-spectrum sun block with an SPF of 15 or higher to screen both UVA and UVB rays. Shade your face with a hat or visor. If resurfacing was performed around the eyes, it's best to also wear good quality sunglasses with UVA and UVB 100 percent filters.

In some cases, some patients may find that their healing skin is unusually sensitive to the makeup that was regularly used prior to treatment. In such instances, makeup should be avoided until a substitute can be found or until the healing progresses to a point at which the makeup no longer causes a reaction.

New skin will form after the treated area has been peeled. This skin will at first appear pink. It should begin to gradually lighten for up to a year after treatment. Additional corrective measures and treatment may be required if healing seems abnormal or delayed or if there is any evidence of abnormal pigmentation or scarring. Your doctor will not consider retreating the area until the area is completely healed.

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