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Dr Brad's CO2 Fractional Laser Treatment Aftercare Guide

What to Expect After Treatment

Following your fractional CO2 laser treatment, your skin has undergone controlled micro-injuries to stimulate collagen production and skin renewal. The treated area will appear red and may feel warm, similar to sunburn. Small grid-like marks from the laser pattern will be visible initially but will fade during the healing process.

Timeline of Healing

  • Days 0-2: Redness, warmth, mild swelling, and sensitivity
  • Days 3-5: Skin may develop a bronze appearance and feel rough or gritty; mild peeling may begin
  • Days 5-7: Peeling continues; new pink skin emerges underneath
  • Days 7-14: Redness gradually subsides; skin texture continues to improve
  • Weeks 2-12: Continued collagen remodelling; progressive improvement in skin quality

Immediate Care (First 24-48 Hours)

Cooling and Comfort

  • Apply cold compresses or ice packs wrapped in clean gauze for 15-20 minutes every 1-2 hours while awake to reduce swelling and discomfort
  • Keep your head elevated when sleeping to minimise swelling
  • Take paracetamol or ibuprofen as directed for discomfort if needed

Skin Protection

  • Keep the treated area constantly moist with a thin layer of healing ointment (Aquaphor or as provided by the clinic)
  • Do not allow the skin to dry out—reapply ointment every 2-3 hours
  • Avoid touching your face except when applying products with freshly washed hands

Days 1-7: Active Healing Phase

Cleansing

  • Begin gentle cleansing twice daily from Day 1 using lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser (Cetaphil or as recommended)
  • Pat skin gently with fingertips only—do not scrub or use washcloths
  • Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a clean towel
  • Men should not shave the treated area for 7-10 days

Optional Vinegar Soaks (Days 1-5)

  • Mix 1 teaspoon white vinegar with 1 cup of cool water
  • Soak clean gauze in the solution and apply to treated areas for 10-15 minutes
  • These soaks provide gentle antimicrobial action, help dissolve crusting, and soothe discomfort
  • May be performed 3-4 times daily after cleansing

Moisturising

  • Continue applying healing ointment generously after each cleanse and soak
  • Do not pick at any crusts or peeling skin—allow them to shed naturally
  • Picking can lead to scarring and infection

Days 7-14: Transition Phase

When New Skin Appears

  • Once areas have re-epithelialised (smooth and pink, no longer raw), you may transition from heavy ointment to a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser
  • Continue moisturising frequently (every 2-3 hours) as new skin can be very dry
  • Some areas may heal faster than others—continue ointment on any areas that remain raw or weeping

Sun Protection

  • Once skin has re-epithelialised, apply a broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen (SPF 30 minimum, SPF 50 preferred) every morning
  • Reapply every 2 hours if outdoors
  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat and avoid direct sun exposure

Weeks 2-12: Recovery and Results Phase

Skincare

  • You may resume makeup application once skin is fully healed (typically 7-10 days) and with your practitioner's approval
  • Avoid active skincare ingredients (retinoids, vitamin C, AHAs, BHAs, exfoliants) until cleared by your practitioner (typically 4-6 weeks)
  • Continue gentle cleansing, moisturising, and daily sunscreen use

Activity Restrictions

  • Avoid strenuous exercise for 7-10 days to prevent excessive sweating and heat
  • Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms for 2 weeks
  • Avoid excessive heat exposure (hot showers, hair dryers on high heat)

Important Restrictions

Avoid for 2-4 Weeks:

  • Direct sun exposure (essential to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation)
  • Smoking and alcohol consumption (delays healing)
  • Harsh skincare products or treatments
  • Facial waxing, threading, or hair removal
  • Dusty or dirty environments

Signs Requiring Medical Attention

Contact Dr Brad's clinic immediately if you experience:

  • Severe or worsening pain not controlled by over-the-counter pain relief
  • Increased redness, warmth, swelling, or tenderness after the first 3 days
  • Yellow or green discharge, or pus
  • Fever or flu-like symptoms
  • Blistering or crusting that appears infected
  • Development of cold sores or unusual rash

Medications

Antiviral Prophylaxis
If prescribed: Start acyclovir 2 days before treatment and continue for 7 days total to prevent viral skin infections, especially in patients with a history of cold sores.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis
If prescribed: Begin taking the morning of your procedure and continue as directed (typically 5-7 days) to reduce risk of bacterial infection.

Optimising Your Results

Long-term Care

  • Maintain a consistent skincare routine with medical-grade products
  • Use sunscreen daily, even when not in direct sunlight
  • Stay well hydrated and maintain a healthy diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants
  • Avoid smoking, which damages collagen and impairs healing
  • Consider maintenance treatments as recommended by Dr Brad

Expected Results
Most patients notice improvement within 2-4 weeks, with continued enhancement over 3-6 months as collagen remodelling continues. Final results typically become apparent at 3-6 months post-treatment.

General Advice for All CO2 Laser Treatments

Lifestyle Factors That Support Healing

Nutrition

  • Eat a balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins A, C, and E, and zinc
  • Stay well hydrated (2 litres water daily)
  • Avoid alcohol for at least 7-14 days post-treatment (impairs healing)

Smoking

  • Do not smoke during the healing period
  • Smoking dramatically impairs wound healing and collagen formation
  • Increases risk of infection and poor scarring

Sleep

  • Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep nightly
  • Sleep with head elevated if facial treatment
  • Clean pillowcases daily during healing

Stress

  • Minimise stress—stress hormones can impair healing
  • Rest and relax during the recovery period

Sun Protection Cannot Be Overstated

Why Sun Protection is Critical:

  • UV exposure on healing or recently healed skin can cause permanent hyperpigmentation (dark marks)
  • This is especially important for patients with darker skin types (Fitzpatrick III-VI)
  • Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can take months to years to fade if it occurs

How to Protect:

  • Use SPF 50 broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen daily
  • Reapply every 2 hours outdoors
  • Wear protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses
  • Seek shade
  • Avoid sun exposure between 10am-4pm
  • Use sun protection even on cloudy days and indoors near windows

Contact Information

For any concerns, questions, or complications, please contact us.

In Case of Emergency:
If you experience severe symptoms outside of clinic hours (severe pain, signs of serious infection, allergic reaction, breathing difficulties), seek immediate medical attention at your nearest Emergency Department or call 999.

 

Final Notes

These aftercare instructions are based on current best practice and are designed to optimise your healing and results. Every patient heals differently, and you may experience variations from the timelines described. The most important principles are:

  1. Keep the treated area moist (for resurfacing) or clean and protected (for lesion removal)
  2. Do not pick, scratch, or interfere with scabs or peeling skin
  3. Protect from sun exposure rigorously
  4. Watch for signs of infection and seek help promptly
  5. Follow the instructions exactly as provided

Your commitment to proper aftercare will directly impact your results. If you have any questions or concerns at any point during your recovery, please do not hesitate to contact Dr Brad's clinic.

We are here to support you through your healing journey and help you achieve the best possible outcomes.