Fractional Laser Recovery Time
Recovery time for any laser is a major concern and rightly so. Everyone needs to know how long to take off of work if they even need to really take off. We have put together information based stating the average recovery time along with actual feedback from patients who have had the different procedures.
*Remember that the severity of your recovery is directly correlated to the fractional co2 laser device used and how agressive the physician is. If the cosmetic laser specialist is targeting severe acne scars then you can anticipate to be on the high side of the recovery time. Remember that everyone is different, what your friend experienced for downtime might be much worse or much better than what you experience, even with the exact same settings.
The person trying to sell the procedure may not give you realistic expectations as far as recovery but instead may tell you what the manufacturer suggests for recovery.(Most of the time inaccurate)
Also, it is important to realize that being 100% recovered from the procedure and being able to return to work are two different things. What you consider recovery may be no visible signs of having the procedure, except for the noticeable improvement 
, but your doctors recovery time may be the absence of swelling or flaking but still sunburned. It is important that you ask detailed questions like:
- How long until I can wear makeup after fractional co2 laser?
- How long do I have to stay out of sun?
- How long does swelling last? How long does the redness last?
- Can I have a doctors note if I need to take extra day off of work?
- What about post and pre op pain medicine?
- When will I see the results?
- How many treatments will I need?
- What laser are you using?
- Have you used this laser before?
- Do you have before and after including immediately post op and one week out?
- How long will I need to apply moisturizer or aquaphor?
Full Recovery means all redness, swelling, scaling, tenderness, and new skin formation over the entire procedure area.
To able to return to work means the majority of swelling and scaling has subsided. Immediately post op is above and this scaling needs to subside before you can really return to work. This is a critical part of the new skin formation and you have to constantly apply and reapply moisturizer like aquaphor.
These recovery times are an estimate and each procedure and patient is different.
* SmartXide Dot Fractional Co2 Laser Recovery time- Anticipate 2-4 weeks for full recovery and 7 days to return to work
* Lumenis Active FX or Deep FX Fractional Co2 Recovery time- Anticipate 2-5 weeks for full recovery and 7-12 days to return to work
*Ellipse Juvia Fractional Co2 Recovery time- Anticipate 2-4 weeks for full recovery and 7-12 days to return to work
*Fraxel Re:pair Fractional Co2 Laser Recovery time- Anticipate 4-8 weeks for full recovery and 12-20 days to return to work
I just wanted to say THANK YOU for posting this information. There doesn’t seem to be accurate recovery times posted anywhere and Here I am on day 8 of my recovery of Lumenis Active Deep FX procedure wondering if there is something majorly wrong with my skin or this procedure went wrong and that i was sapposed to be ready for work on day 4. You hit the nail right on the head here, so thanks again.
You have to be careful trusting the physicians office when it comes to recovery times. They often downplay the recovery time because they do not want to scare you away. Statements like, the average recovery time is X days but we have seen longer recovery times for select individuals. You can believe that you will most likely be one of those select individuals. The recovery time is also very dependent upon how aggressive the physician is with your procedure and how deep he/she is going with the laser. Remember to always see someone board certified in Dermatology or Plastic Surgery as you stand the best chance for a great result with these physicians. First preference is Dermatologist but there are some great plastic surgeons who perform this laser treatment as well.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
I am interested in having the SmartXide DOT Therapy. Why is the scaling and moisturizing part of the healing process so important? Why cant i wear makeup during these first few days to hide the redness?
Hi
I did the fractional Co2 at 9 hurs ago and my face is burning badly.
It has at least 25 bloody spots and swelling is awaful. My doctor did not tell me anything about burning feeling and he emphasized that the swelling will go away in 3 hours maximum.
What can I do for burning sensation and is it normal to have this?
Thank you!
how long does it take for the redness and brown lines to disapear
I am now 13 weeks after fractional co2 laser My skin is still red and blotchy. I dont know if this is normal
Thank you for posting this honest and factual information about various lasers.
So many sites on the web talk about a “weekend procedure” with fractional lasers. False advertising for most cases.
You make a good point – full recovery and ready for work are two different things. It also depends what you do for a job.
Right now I am 5 days post Smartxide Dot around my eyes. Fortunately my doctor advised not to book anything into my social calendar for 3 weeks (in my first consult with him). I am grateful for him being cautious and honest. I was able to plan my month accordingly (including postponing my own birthday party).
I read things saying that you can look back to normal by 7 days after the Dot Laser. Maybe on a low setting. I had a higher setting for my wrinkles and sagging skin. There is no way I look “normal” again yet.
At day 5 post-laser I have excessive folds when I smile from all the edema, overall quite a swollen and blotchy/rough. To be expected when you have a controlled burn administered to thin eyelids!
It WILL BE hard mentally for most people. I look in the mirror and my sagging areas look so much worse right now. Wrinkles are worse too. I know this is just swelling and trauma making it bad. Your mind races and I get anxious sometimes thinking about what I’ve done to myself. Have to be patient with the healing process.
My doctor also advised the REAL collagen tightening phase is only just beginning and takes 3 to 6 months. Can’t speed up our own physiology.
For those expecting to have firmer and better skin within days after the procedure, it’s just not realistic.
I AM NOW 12 HOURS POST CO2 SKIN RE SURFACING AND I AM STILL BLEEDING. I DID NOT EXPECT BLEEDING. THE SWELLING IS TO SUCH A DEGREE THAT IT IS CRACKING THE SKIN. IS HOT AND RED.
I’M LAYERING ON AQUAPHOR LIKE CRAZY AS THICK AS PUTTY HOPING NOT TO SCAR FROM THIS. WAS WORSE THAN EXPECTED. BUT IT’S STILL EARLY SO I’M NOT PANICKING YET.
I had fractioal laser resurfacing done march 1st and i still have red and pink on my face . You can see it is the pattern the laser traced. I did all the correct things i was told to do post op annd have seen my plastic surgeon twice since the procedure. It has now been 5 weeks since the orocedure. He told me tgis is extremely rare with the c02 laser and he has only seen two other cases. Am i getting the correct info. I am very disappointed . No obe says anything to you about possible bad effects . You only hear it can hurt but in 3or7dsys you will have beautiful skin my skin was aged but good. Now i look like i had something happen to a face that except for small sunspots looked fine. I am so very disappointed with this treatment and am told to be patient it will go away just put makeup over it like i shouldn’t be upset and yes this is a very well know plastic surgeons office.