Laser Skin Resurfacing Post-Operative Instructions

Instructions

Have someone drive you home after surgery and help you at home for 1-2 days.
Get plenty of rest.
Follow balanced diet.
Decreased activity may promote constipation, so you may want to add more raw fruit to your diet, and be sure to increase fluid intake.
Take pain medication as prescribed. Do not take aspirin or any products containing aspirin unless approved by your surgeon.
Do not drink alcohol when taking pain medications.
Even when not taking pain medications, no alcohol for 3 weeks as it causes fluid retention.
If you are taking vitamins with iron, resume these as tolerated.
Do not smoke, as smoking delays healing and increases the risk of complications.
Continue to take the Acyclovir after your procedure.

Start walking as soon as possible, this reduces swelling and helps prevent blood clots.
Do not drive until you are no longer taking any pain medications (narcotics).
More strenuous activities should be avoided for 4-6 weeks.
May return to work in 2 weeks.

Avoid exposing scars to sun for at least 12 months.
Always use a strong sunblock, if sun exposure is unavoidable (SPF 30 or greater).
If a bandage was applied, it may be replaced in 1-2 days and removed in approx. 1 week.
Keep lasered areas clean and clear and inspect daily for signs of infection.
Wash your face with a mixture of 1 teaspoon of vinegar in 1 cup of water at least 3 times daily. Do this as often as necessary to avoid a build-up of the weeping discharge and resulting crusts. Do not pick the crusts off the treated area.
Apply a thin layer of prescribed ointment to the lasered areas after each washing.
You may blot the area with a gauze pad, but be sure to reapply the ointment to keep the area moist.
Ice packs can help control swelling.
Do not apply makeup until approved by your surgeon.
Protect the treated area from the sun until all color has returned to normal. Shade face with hat/visor whenever you go out into the sun.
If resurfacing was done around the eyes, wear good quality sunglasses with UVA and UVB 100% filters.

The day of surgery your skin will appear to be deep pink to red, as with a sunburn. This will increase in severity on the second day.
You will have a weeping discharge from the lasered areas. This discharge will be light pink/gold in color.
Swelling is expected and may be more pronounced in the lips and around the eyes.
You will experience a stinging sensation immediately after the procedure. This may advance to a burning discomfort later in the day and evening but will improve over the next few days.
Your skin will heal over the next 2 weeks, leaving the lasered areas with a bright pink coloration.
Your skin will feel tight and smooth. Continue to use the recommended moisturizing agent to the skin surface.
You will experience increased sensitivity to makeup and acute sun sensitivity.
Return of pigmentation and light sun exposure in 6-12 months.

If you have increased swelling or bruising.
If swelling and redness persist after a few days.
If you have increased redness along the incision.
If you have severe or increased pain not relieved by medication.
If you have any side effects to medications; such as, rash, nausea, headache, vomiting.
If you have an oral temperature over 100.4 degrees.
If you have any yellowish or greenish drainage from the incisions or notice a foul odor.
If you have bleeding from the incisions that is difficult to control with light pressure.
If you have loss of feeling or motion.
If you notice any hepatic lesions on the lasered surfaces.

(734) 998-6022, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
After hours and on weekends, call Hospital Paging at (734) 936-6267 and ask for the Plastic Surgeon on call.