Laser Skin Resurfacing: What to Realistically Expect from Recovery

How Laser Resurfacing Works

Laser skin resurfacing works by creating controlled damage to the skin. The laser drills microscopic holes — like tiny pin-pricks — into your skin, leaving gaps of normal tissue between them.

As these holes heal, the normal skin between them contracts. This contraction is what tightens your skin. The healing process also stimulates collagen production and skin renewal, improving texture and reducing fine lines.

In simple terms: the laser burns your skin, and that's how it works. It's a controlled injury with a purpose — but it is an injury, and recovery reflects this reality.

The Recovery Timeline

Week 1: Active Healing

Immediately after treatment, the skin weeps fluid as the microscopic wounds begin to heal. The area will be red, swollen, and feel raw. You'll need to keep it clean and apply prescribed ointments.

During this phase, you'll likely want to stay home. The appearance is obvious — people will know something has been done.

Weeks 2-4: Red Phase

The surface heals, and you can typically wear makeup by week two. But underneath, healing continues. The skin remains red — noticeably red, not just flushed.

Many patients return to work during this phase, using makeup to conceal the colour. The redness is genuine — your skin is still healing at a cellular level even though it looks intact on the surface.

Months 2-6: Pink Phase

The intense redness fades to pink. This is a long phase — often longer than patients expect. The skin looks healthy and improved, but there's a persistent pinkness that takes time to resolve.

At your six-week follow-up, most patients look "just a little bit pink rather than very red." This is normal and expected.

Months 6-9: Final Resolution

The last traces of pinkness fade. Your final result is visible. The skin is tighter, smoother, and more even-textured than before treatment.

Some patients see full resolution sooner; others take the full nine months or slightly longer. Individual healing varies.

Why This Matters

I tell every patient considering laser: don't underestimate the recovery.

The results are excellent and permanent. Laser genuinely tightens skin in a way that creams and less intensive treatments cannot match. But the trade-off is a prolonged recovery period that requires patience.

If you need to look completely normal in two weeks, laser isn't the right choice. If you can tolerate wearing makeup for several months and accept some pinkness during that time, the long-term results are worth it.

The Rosacea Factor

If you have a history of rosacea, this needs discussion. Laser treats the small blood vessels involved in rosacea — this is actually beneficial long-term. But the healing process also stimulates new blood vessel formation.

This means rosacea patients may see temporary increased redness before improvement. The laser is treating the condition, but the journey involves more redness before you reach your destination.

I've seen patients with rosacea achieve excellent results with laser, but they need to understand and accept this temporary increase in redness during healing.

Results Are Permanent

Here's the good news: unlike Botox (which needs repeating every few months) or fillers (which gradually absorb), laser results are permanent.

Just like eyelid surgery, what's done is done. The skin that's tightened stays tightened. The texture improvement remains.

Of course, you continue to age normally. New wrinkles can form, gravity continues its work, and skin changes over time. But the results of laser treatment itself don't wear off — you're not on a maintenance schedule.

What to Consider Before Treatment

Timing: Can you manage several months of pinkness? Consider work commitments, social events, and your comfort with wearing makeup daily.

Expectations: Laser improves skin significantly but doesn't perform miracles. Deep wrinkles become shallow; fine lines can disappear; skin becomes tighter — but you won't look 20 years younger.

Skin type: Laser works differently on different skin types. Very dark skin requires special consideration due to pigmentation risks. This is assessed during consultation.

Rosacea history: Not a contraindication, but requires understanding of the temporary redness increase.

Combination treatments: Laser is often performed alongside other procedures (like eyelid surgery or fat grafting). When combined, the laser adds skin tightening without significantly extending overall recovery — you're healing anyway.

The Bottom Line

Laser skin resurfacing delivers genuine, permanent improvement. It tightens loose skin, improves texture, and reduces fine lines in ways that non-invasive treatments cannot match.

But the recovery is real. Red for weeks, pink for months. If you're prepared for this timeline and can plan accordingly, laser is an excellent option. If the recovery sounds like too much, that's a valid decision too — this treatment isn't right for everyone, and that's okay.

The patients who are happiest with laser are those who went in with clear expectations about recovery. No surprises, no disappointment — just patience while the skin heals, followed by results that last.