How Long Does It Take to Heal After Laser Skin Resurfacing?

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is the that most laser resurfacing consultations. understand that will smoother texture, finer lines and brighter 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 results will appear.

The honest answer on which laser protocol you have. This guide breaks down the realistic recovery timeline week by week, explains what you’ll see at each stage, and covers the aftercare that makes the between an average result and an one.

The two recovery profiles

At Centre for Surgery we use the Fotona SP Dynamis Pro erbium YAG laser for all . The platform supports two distinct treatment modes, each with its own curve:

Non-ablative SMOOTH® treatments — and — operate on a principle . They thermal energy removing the skin surface, so downtime is nil. This guide on ablative resurfacing, where genuine recovery is involved.

For the question of how Er:YAG to CO₂ resurfacing, including aggregate recovery for each, see our guide on .

Day-by-day recovery: what to expect

Immediately after treatment your skin will look red, feel hot and Sunekos Revive tight, and may weep a clear fluid. This is normal — your skin has been and is in active wound-healing mode. Swelling peaks at 24 to 48 hours, particularly around the eyes if the area was . Cool compresses applied for short intervals, ointment, and with your head elevated all help.

You’ll likely want to be at home and unseen during this window. Most describe the sensation as a moderate to severe sunburn — but with paracetamol. Our covers what to expect in more detail.

The weeping subsides and small crusts form across the treated area. Fresh epidermis is in from sweat glands and hair to the . The skin feels tight, itchy and looks like a fading sunburn with patchy . This is the most important phase for — picking, scratching or crusts risks and pigmentation change.

Keep the area thoroughly moist with the occlusive . Gentle cleansing with water and a fragrance-free non-foaming — fingertips only, no washcloths. Pat dry with a soft towel.

For fractional protocols, the is closed by now. The skin is pink, as a “new baby skin” appearance — fresh and tender. Most patients are for work and short outings, though may want to wait a few more days before social events. makeup can usually go on around day 7 — see our dedicated guide on .

For fully protocols, you’re still mid-recovery. Crusting continues, redness is pronounced.

patients see steady fading of . By day 14 most look essentially normal under SPF and light cosmetics, though skin remains photosensitive.

Fully ablative patients reach the equivalent of “fractional day 7” around now — surface closed, pink, tender, mineral makeup . The is just later by a week.

Persistent pinkness — call it erythema — fades steadily but can take six weeks or more to fully. It’s easily concealed with makeup. Some notice their skin looks unusually clear and bright during this window as sun damage to slough.

This is where the underlying emerge. New is laid down in the dermis, and the skin from underneath. Fine lines refine, scars soften, tone evens out. Most patients see improvement for six months after . The skin you have at six months is generally the result of the laser session.

Aftercare that makes the difference

Freshly skin is photosensitive. Unprotected sun exposure during the first three months is the single biggest cause of poor outcomes — pigmentation changes, redness, hyperpigmentation that’s to reverse. Strict daily SPF 50 sunscreen, broad-brimmed hat outdoors, and avoiding peak sun hours from day one of onwards.

Sun protection isn’t just a recovery — it’s how you the results. For more on UV damage and how to its effects, see our guide on .

The prescribed goes on the treated area frequently — typically 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 re-epithelialisation and reduces risk.

water, non-foaming 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 healing skin and increases infection risk.

The single most common cause of scarring after resurfacing. Crusts will fall off on their own as the skin re-epithelialises underneath. If you find yourself unconsciously, the area thoroughly moisturised helps remove the trigger.

If you have a history of perioral herpes, mention it at consultation. We routinely start antiviral prophylaxis a few days before and continue through the early healing window.

Factors that affect your healing time

Within the typical ranges, individual healing varies based on several factors. Faster healing tends to track with: younger age, non-smokers, good general health, sleep and during recovery, and aftercare. Slower or more healing tends to track with: (impairs every aspect of wound healing), recent or use, or other affecting skin healing, immunosuppression, history of poor scarring, and active skin conditions at the treatment site.

If any of these apply we’ll discuss them in detail at and adjust the protocol or timing as appropriate. In some cases — particularly recent use — we’ll defer treatment until 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 from day seven. Full intensity, sweat-inducing from week two onwards. Saunas and steam rooms from week four.

You’ll see by week two as the new skin . tightening continues for six months. Most patients feel the result is “finished” around month three to four.

Pink colour fades steadily over two to six weeks. For fully ablative, residual pinkness can persist a little longer. Mineral makeup conceals 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 combinations during your consultation.

Our laser resurfacing is on the Fotona SP Dynamis Pro by in depth to each patient’s skin and downtime tolerance. Aftercare is written, structured and — you leave with everything you need to the recovery successfully, plus direct contact for any during healing.

Centre for Surgery · · GMC · · · ·

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Centre for Surgery is a CQC-regulated private on London’s Baker Street, and surgery through GMC-registered surgeons. Our expertise spans facial including and , , for men, and body contouring procedures such as and . Patient safety, and natural-looking results sit at the heart of everything we do.

Centre for is a private hospital on London’s iconic , plastic and cosmetic led by consultant .