How long does pulsed dye laser treatment take to work for post-inflammatory erythema?

Post-inflammatory erythema is redness left after skin inflammation has settled. The laser targets blood vessels contributing to the colour. Immediately after treatment, temporary redness, swelling, warmth, or bruising can make the mark appear more prominent, so early appearance does not represent the completed result.

The colour may soften gradually as the treated vessels and surrounding inflammation settle. Improvement can vary with the original skin problem, the age and depth of the mark, skin tone, treatment settings, and ongoing irritation. New spots can also appear if the underlying inflammation is still active.

Follow the clinic's instructions for cleansing and moisturising, avoid picking or scrubbing, and pause unapproved irritating products while the skin recovers. Protect the area from sunlight, and continue the clinician's plan for controlling the condition that caused the marks. Attend review visits before deciding whether the treatment has worked.

Contact the treating clinic if burning, pain, swelling, blistering, crusting, or redness is increasing rather than settling, or if the skin becomes broken or oozes. Seek assessment if redness keeps spreading or new inflammation appears, because the original trigger may need treatment as well.

Ask whether the redness is ready for laser, when improvement should be reviewed, which products should be paused, and how active acne, eczema, or another inflammatory cause will be controlled during treatment.