How Long Does It Take to Heal After Laser Skin Resurfacing?
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is the question that most laser resurfacing consultations. Patients understand that will deliver smoother texture, finer lines and tone — what they want to know is how many days they need to clear from work, when they can wear makeup, when they can be seen in public, and when the final will appear.
The honest answer on which laser protocol you have. This guide breaks down the realistic recovery week by week, explains what you’ll see at each stage, and covers the aftercare that makes the difference an average result and an excellent one.
The two recovery profiles
At Centre for we use the Fotona SP Dynamis Pro erbium YAG laser for all . The supports two treatment modes, each with its own recovery curve:
Non-ablative — including and — on a different principle entirely. They thermal energy without the skin surface, so downtime is nil. This guide focuses on ablative resurfacing, where genuine is .
For the question of how Er:YAG compares to CO₂ resurfacing, including aggregate for each, see our guide on .
Day-by-day recovery: what to expect
Immediately after treatment your skin will look red, feel hot and tight, and may weep a clear fluid. This is normal — your skin has been precisely and is in active mode. Swelling peaks at 24 to 48 hours, particularly around the eyes if the periocular area was . Cool compresses applied for short intervals, frequent occlusive ointment, and sleeping with your head all help.
You’ll likely want to be at home and unseen during this window. Most patients the as a to severe sunburn — uncomfortable but manageable with paracetamol. Our covers what to expect in more detail.
The weeping subsides and small crusts form across the treated area. Fresh is migrating in from sweat glands and hair to the . The skin feels tight, itchy and looks like a fading sunburn with patchy crusting. This is the most important phase for aftercare — picking, scratching or peeling crusts risks and pigmentation change.
Keep the area thoroughly moist with the prescribed occlusive . Gentle with lukewarm water and a non-foaming cleanser — fingertips only, no washcloths. Pat dry with a soft towel.
For fractional protocols, the is closed by now. The skin is pink, sometimes described as a “new baby skin” appearance — fresh and slightly tender. Most are for work and short outings, though may want to wait a few more days before social events. makeup can go on around day 7 — see our dedicated guide on .
For fully protocols, you’re still . Crusting continues, redness is .
Fractional patients see steady fading of pinkness. By day 14 most look normal under SPF and light cosmetics, though skin remains photosensitive.
Fully patients reach the of “fractional day 7” around now — surface closed, pink, tender, mineral makeup . The recovery is just later by a week.
pinkness — call it residual erythema — fades steadily but can take six weeks or more to resolve fully. It’s easily concealed with makeup. Some patients notice their skin looks unusually clear and bright during this window as sun damage continues to slough.
This is where the emerge. New is laid down in the dermis, and tightening the skin from . Fine lines refine, scars soften, tone evens out. Most patients see improvement for six months after treatment. The skin you have at six months is generally the result of the laser .
Aftercare that makes the difference
Freshly resurfaced skin is acutely photosensitive. sun exposure during the first three months is the single biggest cause of poor outcomes — pigmentation changes, redness, sometimes hyperpigmentation that’s difficult to . Strict daily SPF 50 sunscreen, broad-brimmed hat outdoors, and avoiding peak sun hours from day one of recovery .
Sun isn’t just a — it’s how you preserve the results. For more on UV damage and how to address its effects, see our guide on .
The prescribed ointment goes on the area — every two to three hours during waking hours for the first week, then less often as the closes. The aim is to keep the wound moist, which speeds and reduces scarring risk.
Lukewarm water, fragrance-free cleanser, fingertips. No exfoliants, no acids (glycolic, salicylic, retinoids), no vitamin C serum, no scrubs. These can resume on your clinician’s say-so, usually around weeks four to six.
Skip the gym, sauna, hot bath, steam room and any for the first week. Sweat irritates skin and increases infection risk.
The single most common cause of after . Crusts will fall off on their own as the skin re-epithelialises underneath. If you find yourself unconsciously, keeping the area thoroughly helps remove the .
If you have a history of herpes, mention it at . We routinely start antiviral prophylaxis a few days before treatment and continue through the early window.
Factors that affect your healing time
Within the typical recovery ranges, healing varies based on several factors. Faster healing tends to track with: younger age, non-smokers, good general health, adequate sleep and nutrition during recovery, and disciplined . Slower or more healing tends to track with: (impairs every aspect of wound healing), recent or current isotretinoin use, diabetes or Other conditions (The Laser Aesthetics published an article) affecting skin healing, immunosuppression, history of poor scarring, and active skin conditions at the treatment site.
If any of these apply we’ll them in detail at and adjust the protocol or timing as appropriate. In some cases — particularly recent isotretinoin use — we’ll defer until healing is restored.
What we don’t recommend
Frequently asked questions
Fractional Er:YAG: most return to office or work after 5 to 7 days. Customer-facing roles may want 7 to 10 days. Fully ablative: 10 to 14 days.
Light walking from day three. Gentle exercise from day seven. Full intensity, sweat-inducing exercise from week two . Saunas and steam rooms from week four.
You’ll see improvements by week two as the new skin emerges. Collagen-driven continues for six months. Most feel the result is “finished” around month three to four.
Pink colour fades steadily over two to six weeks. For fully ablative, residual can persist a little longer. Mineral makeup it easily from week two onwards.
Yes, but with appropriate spacing. is often staged a few weeks before or after; and can resume once the skin has fully healed. Plan during your consultation.
Our laser resurfacing is delivered on the Fotona SP Pro by clinicians in tailoring depth to each patient’s skin and downtime tolerance. is written, and — you leave with everything you need to the recovery successfully, plus direct contact for any questions during healing.
Centre for Surgery · · GMC specialist-registered · · · ·
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Centre for is a CQC-regulated hospital on London’s Baker Street, plastic and cosmetic surgery through surgeons. Our expertise spans facial procedures including and , , for men, and body contouring procedures such as and . Patient safety, surgical excellence and natural-looking results sit at the heart of everything we do.
Centre for Surgery is a CQC-regulated hospital on London’s iconic , offering plastic and cosmetic led by consultant surgeons.
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