There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to questions about how long it will take skin to heal after a laser treatment because CaloSpa® offers a range of treatment options to address different skin conditions. Your recovery time can vary significantly depending on the type of laser used and the intensity of the treatment.
What Are the Different Types of Lasers Used for Skin Rejuvenation?
Our laser skin treatment experts decide which type of laser is best for you after discussing your concerns and goals and examining your skin’s quality and texture. They also customize treatments based on how long you are able to take to recover. Many of the treatment options involve little to no downtime but require close adherence to post-treatment instructions for best results.
The different types of laser rejuvenation treatments include:
Ablative Lasers
Lasers such as the Contour TRL (Tunable Resurfacing Laser) produce dramatic results by removing the outer layers of skin, prompting your body to produce new, healthier skin cells. The Contour TRL is highly customizable, allowing for treatments ranging from light to deep. Deeper treatments will naturally require more downtime but can greatly improve the skin’s appearance. It significantly reduces wrinkles, lines, and pigmented spots, in addition to improving skin texture.
Initial healing typically takes 7 to 10 days, with redness potentially lasting several weeks.
Non-Ablative Lasers
Patients who can benefit from less aggressive laser treatments are good candidates for non-ablative laser skin rejuvenation with popular treatments such as ClearSilk® and Moxi®. Non-ablative lasers gently heat tissue below the skin’s surface without damaging the outer layer.
ClearSilk is sometimes referred to as a “lunchtime facial” because you can return to work or other activities immediately after the procedure. You might experience some redness for a few hours. Moxi treats early signs of sun damage and skin discoloration and results in 1 or 2 days of mild redness and swelling.
These gentler treatments are perfect if you want to improve your skin with little or no downtime.
Hybrid Lasers
HALO® is a groundbreaking laser that combines ablative and non-ablative technologies, targeting the skin’s surface and the underlying layers. Our providers customize treatments so you can opt for a more aggressive approach that includes longer downtime but fewer treatments or several treatments with little recovery time.
Carbon Laser Peel
Also known as the “Hollywood Peel,” this treatment involves applying a layer of liquid carbon to the skin before using a laser to remove it, along with dead skin cells and impurities. There is minimal downtime, with some redness possible for a few hours post-treatment.
You can learn more about our laser treatment options in this previous blog post.
What Is the Fastest Way To Heal Skin After a Laser Treatment?
Besides the laser technology used during your treatment, other factors affect how long it takes to recover after the procedure. These include the treatment’s intensity, your skin type, how fast you typically heal following an injury, and how closely you follow post-procedure instructions.
Here are some tips for helping your skin heal more quickly following a laser skin resurfacing treatment, whether the expected downtime is a few hours or several days:
- Follow your provider’s instructions to the letter: Your provider knows your skin and the treatment you’ve received, so their advice is tailored specifically for you.
- Keep your skin hydrated: Use the recommended moisturizers generously. Well-hydrated skin heals faster.
- Protect your skin from the sun: Patients often ask how long they need to avoid the sun after a laser treatment. Sun exposure can slow healing and increase the risk of complications, so you should stay out of direct sunlight until your skin is fully healed. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen daily, even if you’re just running errands.
- Don’t pick or scratch: It’s tempting, especially when your skin starts peeling, but resist the urge. Let your skin shed naturally to avoid scarring or infection.
- 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.
- Eat a healthy diet: Your body needs nutrients to repair itself. Focus on foods rich in vitamins A and C, which are crucial for skin health.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps flush toxins and supports your body’s healing processes.
- Attend follow-up appointments: Monitoring your healing enables the provider to adjust your post-treatment instructions, if needed.
If you undergo a more aggressive laser skin resurfacing treatment the involves several days or more of recovery, it’s easy to get impatient. But remember, your skin is going through a significant renewal process. Give it time.
Seeing the Big Picture
Laser skin resurfacing is rarely a one-and-done solution, and you’ll likely need periodic treatments and a consistent skincare routine to maintain the results. By understanding the recovery process and taking good care of your skin both during and after treatment, you can maximize your results and enjoy the benefits of your laser treatment for years to come.
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