Following laser treatment, your skin may develop a slight redness or a black and blue discoloration (bruises). It may take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks for the discoloration to disappear. In the interval, camouflage makeup may help to conceal it.
It is extremely important to shield your skin from the sun, both immediately after the treatment to help the skin heal and later on to prevent facial capillaries from recurring. Limit your exposure to sunlight, wear hats, and liberally apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen, one that blocks both UVA and UVB light, with a sun-protecting factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
Sometimes a little cluster of scabs may appear, depending on the type of laser used, your particular skin type, and how well you've protected yourself from damaging sunlight. Picking at scabs may cause scarring, so resist the temptation!
Call your dermatologist immediately if you have an outbreak of cold sores. If cold sores develop while your skin is healing, they may spread and create scars. To protect yourself against cold sores and other viral infections, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication.
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