Laser Aftercare: How to Protect Your Result in the First Two Weeks
Half of a great laser result happens at home. Here is the exact routine we give our patients.
Quick answer
How should skin be cared for after laser treatment?
Follow the instructions for the exact laser, settings and skin response because aftercare is not identical for every treatment. In general, cleanse gently, moisturise as advised, avoid rubbing and new irritating actives, and protect the area from sunlight. Do not pick crusts or assume every reaction is normal. Worsening pain, swelling or redness, blisters, discharge or marked colour change needs clinical advice.
- Suitable for
- Anyone recovering from laser treatment should use the treatment-specific aftercare plan provided.
- What to expect
- Aftercare supports healing and reduces avoidable irritation, but cannot guarantee the treatment outcome.
- Risks
- Irritation, infection, blistering, prolonged redness or post-inflammatory pigment change can occur.
- Downtime
- Varies by device, settings, treatment area and skin response; use the clinician's estimate for that session.
- When to see a doctor
- Contact the clinic for worsening symptoms, blisters, wounds, discharge, fever or a marked darker or lighter colour change.
Whether it is Pico for pigment or RedTouch for collagen, laser energy asks your skin to renew itself — and the renewing happens after you leave the clinic. Good aftercare speeds results and prevents the one complication everyone fears: post-inflammatory darkening. The rules are simple and mostly about protection.
The first 48 hours
Expect mild redness and warmth like light sunburn for a few hours (Pico) up to 1–2 days (deeper settings). Tiny darkened dots over pigment spots are normal — they are treated pigment rising to the surface, not a burn.
- Cleanse gently with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser — no scrubbing
- Moisturise simply (ceramide/hyaluronic-based), reapply when tight
- Cold compress if warm; skip makeup on treated areas for 24 hours
- Sleep slightly elevated if the area feels puffy
What to avoid — and for how long
- Direct sun and outdoor heat — 2 weeks of strict protection (the big one)
- Saunas, hot yoga, intense exercise — 48 hours
- Swimming pools and sea water — 3–5 days
- Actives: retinoids, AHA/BHA, vitamin C acids, scrubs — pause ~5–7 days, restart gradually
- Picking or peeling the tiny crusts — let them fall naturally (5–7 days)
Sunscreen: the actual result-protector
Post-laser skin makes pigment easily. Broad-spectrum SPF50+ PA++++ every morning, reapplied every 3–4 hours outdoors, plus hats and shade for two weeks. This single habit is the difference between "brighter than before" and "why is it darker?".
A realistic healing timeline
- Day 0–2: redness/warmth fades; keep it simple and cool
- Day 3–7: micro-crusts on pigment spots flake off naturally
- Week 2–4: brightness and evenness improve visibly
- Month 1–3 (collagen lasers): texture, pores and lines keep improving
Contact the clinic if you see spreading redness, blistering, significant pain or signs of infection — rare, but we would rather see you early.
The short version
- Protection beats products: sun avoidance + SPF50 for two weeks is 80% of aftercare.
- Keep skincare boring for a week: gentle cleanser, plain moisturiser, sunscreen.
- Never pick crusts; call the clinic for anything that worsens instead of fading.
Frequently asked questions
When can I wear makeup again?+
Usually 24 hours after superficial sessions, or once any micro-crusts have settled. Use clean brushes and remove gently.
My spots look darker after Pico — is that normal?+
Yes — treated pigment often darkens briefly before flaking off over about a week. Darkening that appears weeks later, however, may be PIH; contact the clinic.
When can I do my next laser session?+
Commonly every 4 weeks for pigment courses, or as your doctor schedules — skin needs a full renewal cycle between sessions.
Can I use vitamin C serum after laser?+
Pause acids and strong actives for about 5–7 days, then reintroduce one at a time. Your doctor may adjust this based on the energy used.
Does aftercare differ between Pico and RedTouch?+
The principles are identical; RedTouch (collagen) may feel warm slightly longer, Pico (pigment) crusts more. Your after-sheet from the clinic lists the specifics per session.
