Laser Resurfacing Recovery: A Day-by-Day Timeline
What to expect each day after non-ablative, fractional and ablative laser resurfacing: redness, peeling, when to wear makeup, warning signs and aftercare that helps.
Laser recovery depends mostly on how deep the laser goes. The short answer: non-ablative lasers usually mean a few days of redness; fractional ablative lasers such as fractional CO2 often mean about a week of oozing, crusting and peeling; fully ablative resurfacing can take weeks, with pinkness lasting longer. Your provider's instructions always come first.
Recovery by laser type
| Laser type | Typical social downtime | Lingering redness |
|---|---|---|
| Non-ablative (e.g., 1550 nm fractional) | A few days | Days |
| Fractional ablative (CO2, erbium) | About 5 to 10 days | Weeks |
| Fully ablative | Two weeks or more | Can last months |
These ranges vary by settings and skin; treat them as general guidance.
Day-by-day for fractional ablative laser
| Day | What's normal | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 1 | Feels like a sunburn; swelling, pinpoint bleeding or oozing | Cool compresses, gentle cleansing and ointment as instructed; sleep with head raised |
| 2 to 3 | Swelling peaks, especially around eyes; bronzing or crusting | Keep skin moist; don't pick |
| 4 to 7 | Peeling and itching; new pink skin | Bland moisturizer; no actives |
| 7 to 14 | Most peeling done; pink skin | Mineral sunscreen; makeup once skin has closed and your provider okays it |
| 2 to 6 weeks | Fading redness | Strict sun protection; reintroduce retinoids only when cleared |
| 3 to 6 months | Collagen remodeling continues | Results keep improving |
Aftercare that helps
- Keep it moist. Occlusive ointments are common after ablative resurfacing. A trial of a dexpanthenol-containing ointment after fractional ablative CO2 laser found faster wound healing than the comparison (Heise et al., Cutan Ocul Toxicol, 2019).
- Gentle cleansing with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser.
- Sun protection for weeks to months, since new skin is sensitive.
- Skip actives (retinoids, acids, scrubs) until your provider says to restart.
Warning signs: call your provider
A review of fractional laser complications describes infection, prolonged redness, acne flares, pigment changes and, rarely, scarring, with higher risk in sensitive areas and darker skin phototypes (Metelitsa and Alster, Dermatol Surg, 2010). Contact your provider for:
- Increasing pain after the first few days
- Yellow crusting, pus or fever (possible infection)
- Clusters of painful blisters (possible herpes reactivation; many providers give antivirals before ablative treatments)
- Thick, raised or white areas
Darker skin tones
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is more common in darker skin after laser and usually appears a few weeks later. Pre-treatment planning, conservative settings and strict sun protection lower the risk (Davis and Callender, J Clin Aesthet Dermatol, 2010).
Frequently asked questions
When can I wear makeup? After non-ablative laser, often within a day or two. After ablative laser, wait until the skin has fully re-epithelialized and your provider approves.
When can I exercise? Usually after the first few days, once oozing stops; sweat can irritate open skin.
How long does redness last? Days for non-ablative, weeks for fractional ablative, and sometimes months after fully ablative resurfacing.
When will I see results? Texture improves as peeling finishes, and collagen keeps building for months.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Talk to a board-certified dermatologist about your situation.
Sources
- Heise R et al. Accelerated wound healing with a dexpanthenol-containing ointment after fractional ablative CO2 laser resurfacing. Cutan Ocul Toxicol. 2019. PubMed
- Metelitsa AI, Alster TS. Fractionated laser skin resurfacing treatment complications: a review. Dermatol Surg. 2010. PubMed
- Davis EC, Callender VD. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2010. PubMed
