Laser / IPL Aftercare
After receiving laser or IPL treatment it's essential to follow aftercare instructions to ensure the best results and minimize the risk of side effects.
| 2 min read
General
- For all laser or intense pulsed light treatments it is essential to protect from sunight for several months after treatment.
- The final results of treatments will take at least a month (and sometimes substantially longer) to become apparent.
- Contact Dr Lynch if you experience significant bruising, swelling, pain or discomfort following the procedure.
- If there is skin breakdown or blistering apply vaseline (from a new pot) regularly to prevent scabbing.
Vascular laser
- After the procedure there will be redness and there may be bruising and swelling. This will usually settle within 1-2 weeks.
Non-ablative fractional laser
- After the procedure the treated area will be red and inflammed - similar to sunburn.
- Redness will usually settle within a couple of days but can take a week or longer to fully resolve.
- There will often be "grid marks" visible after the treatment. These will usually resolve within a couple of weeks.
Pigment laser
- After the procedure the treated lesions will often appear grey/white and there will be surrounding inflammation (redness). Occasionally there may be blistering or crusting.
- Over the next week or so the lesion may become darker before fading over another week or so.
Intense pulsed light
- After the treatment there will be some redness and there may be swelling.
- Pigmented lesions may appear temporarily darker before fading over the next 1-2 weeks.
Carbon dioxide laser
- Immediately following the treatment, the surface of the skin will appear red, swollen and inflamed. Some bleeding and crusting may occur.
- Wash daily with an antibacterial wash such as Dermol 500.
- Apply vaseline (from a new pot) frequently throughout the day to prevent scabbing or crusting.
- Depending upon the nature of the treatment, Dr Lynch may prescribe postoperative antibiotics or antiviral medications.
