What should you know about fractional laser healing?

Fractional treatment leaves microscopic zones of injury beside untreated skin, allowing recovery to occur across the treatment area. The visible response varies with laser type, energy, body site, skin tone, and whether the treatment was superficial or deeper.

The first phase may include heat, redness, swelling, tenderness, and a rough or bronzed surface. Peeling or fine crusting can follow. These changes should gradually settle; the exact course is individual, so your treating clinician’s instructions take priority.

Cleanse gently as directed, apply the recommended bland moisturiser or dressing, and keep hands away from peeling skin. Avoid heat, swimming, heavy exercise, fragranced products, scrubs, and active ingredients until the clinic says they are appropriate.

Protect healing skin from sunlight and do not pick crusts. Arrange help with work or social plans if visible redness or peeling would be difficult. Tell the clinic before treatment if you have a history of poor wound healing, cold sores, or prolonged pigment changes.

Get prompt advice if pain or swelling is escalating, redness spreads, the area becomes hot, blisters or pus appear, or you develop fever. Seek urgent care for eye symptoms, breathing difficulty, or rapidly increasing facial swelling. Persistent colour change or delayed healing needs review.

What changes are expected each day during my recovery?

Which cleanser, moisturiser, dressing, and sunscreen should I use?

Which symptoms mean I should contact you the same day?