Caring for your skin correctly after CO2 fractional laser resurfacing supports proper healing and the best possible result, as does good preparation beforehand, which we cover in our how to prepare for CO2 laser resurfacing. Follow the day-by-day guidance below, and contact us any time if something doesn’t feel right.
The following high standards of hygiene must be implemented at all times
| Day | What Your Skin Looks Like | Cleanser | Moisturiser | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 0 | Red, hot, swollen. Strong sunburn sensation is normal. | None | Vaseline only | ❌ Water, all skincare, touching skin |
| Day 1 | Red and slightly hot. Tender and rough to the touch. | Sterile normal saline | Vaseline | ❌ Hot water, shampoo on skin, makeup, exercise |
| Day 2 | Cheeks and under-eyes likely swollen. Tiny black dots appear. Skin starts to darken. Slight itchiness begins. | Sterile normal saline | Vaseline | ❌ Glycolics, AHAs, exfoliants, makeup |
| Day 3 | Skin looks dark, feels rough and dry. Black dots more pronounced. Itchiness increases, especially around the mouth. | Sterile normal saline | Vaseline or Cosmedix Rescue Plus | ❌ Glycolics, AHAs, exfoliants, makeup |
| Day 4 | Skin looks tanned and dry. Some dots start falling off. Progress is becoming visible. | Cetaphil | Vaseline or Cosmedix Rescue Plus | ❌ Glycolics, AHAs, exfoliants, makeup |
| Day 5 | Skin lightening as dots fall off. Some dots may remain on temples and forehead. | Cetaphil | Vaseline or Cosmedix Rescue Plus | ❌ Glycolics, AHAs, exfoliants, makeup |
| Day 6 | Dots almost completely gone. Skin clearly brighter. Follow up with your clinician for an ongoing skin protocol. | Cetaphil | Vaseline or Cosmedix Rescue Plus | ❌ Glycolics, AHAs, exfoliants, makeup (until advised) |
⚠️ PLEASE NOTE: We cannot be held responsible if aftercare instructions are not carefully adhered to.
Immediately following the procedure: The skin is covered with Vaseline and ice packs are applied to the skin for at least 2 hours or until needed. The skin is in the inflammatory stage which presents as an increase in skin temperature, swelling, redness and discomfort. This stage will last for at least 2 hours – 24 hours depending on the aggressiveness of the Rx.
Four hours post Rx, the temperature will drop to a more comfortable level, the swelling will slightly subside and the redness will decrease by approximately 30%.
The discomfort will also reduce but will be tender to touch. A sensation of strong sunburn is not uncommon.
DO NOT apply any water or skincare products to the skin. Reapply Vaseline at all times.
The skin is red and slightly hot and icepacks need to be applied but not as frequently as on the day of the Rx.
Vaseline is the only ointment that needs to be applied unless antibiotic cream is required. The skin is tender and rough to touch. Avoid hot water and shampoo on the skin.
Gently cleanse with sterile normal saline and apply Vaseline.
No make up. Avoid exercise and strenuous activities.
Cleanser: Sterile normal salineMoisturiser: VaselineNo makeup · No exercise
The skin on the cheeks and under the eyes will probably be swollen which can be reduced with icepacks. Overall the skin will have tiny black dots all over. The demarcation line on the jaw will be visible and the colour of the skin will start to darken.
Gently cleanse with sterile normal saline and apply Vaseline.
NO Glycolics, AHA’s, exfoliants and make-up.
If topical antibiotic cream is required cleanse with sterile normal saline.
The skin will become slightly itchy.
Cleanser: Sterile normal salineMoisturiser: VaselineNo Glycolics · No AHAs · No Exfoliants · No Makeup
The skin will look dark and feel rough and dry. The dots will be more pronounced and visible. Vaseline only.
You may feel itchy especially on the perioral area due to dryness – apply Vaseline or Cosmedix Rescue Plus.
Gently cleanse with sterile normal saline and apply Vaseline.
NO Glycolics, AHA’s, exfoliants and make-up.
If topical antibiotic cream is required cleanse with sterile normal saline.
Cleanser: Sterile normal salineMoisturiser: Vaseline or Cosmedix Rescue PlusNo Glycolics · No AHAs · No Exfoliants · No Makeup
The skin is looking tanned and dry and some dots have started to fall off.
Start cleansing with Cetaphil and moisturise with Vaseline or Cosmedix Rescue Plus.
NO Glycolics, AHA’s, exfoliants and make-up.
If topical antibiotic cream is required cleanse with sterile normal saline.
Cleanser: CetaphilMoisturiser: Vaseline or Cosmedix Rescue PlusNo Glycolics · No AHAs · No Exfoliants · No Makeup
The skin is lightening as the dots fall off but some may still be present on the sides of the face, temples and forehead.
Cleanse with Cetaphil and moisturise with Vaseline or Cosmedix Rescue Plus.
NO Glycolics, AHA’s, exfoliants and make-up.
If topical antibiotic cream is required cleanse with sterile normal saline.
Cleanser: CetaphilMoisturiser: Vaseline or Cosmedix Rescue PlusNo Glycolics · No AHAs · No Exfoliants · No Makeup
The dots are almost gone. Cleanse with Cetaphil and moisturise with Vaseline or Cosmedix Rescue Plus.
NO Glycolics, AHA’s, exfoliants and make-up.
If topical antibiotic cream is required cleanse with sterile normal saline.
Follow up with your Clinician for an ongoing skin protocol.
Cleanser: CetaphilMoisturiser: Vaseline or Cosmedix Rescue PlusNo Glycolics · No AHAs · No Exfoliants · No Makeup (until advised)
Completely normal, and we know it doesn’t feel that way right now. The CO2 laser creates controlled ablation of the skin, which triggers an immediate inflammatory response. That redness, heat, and sunburn sensation is your skin doing exactly what it’s supposed to do. Four hours post-treatment the temperature starts dropping noticeably, and by 24 hours the discomfort reduces significantly. Keep your ice packs applied (wrapped in the clean tea towel or Fibrella we gave you), keep the Vaseline on, and take Panadol at the recommended dose if you need relief.
The answer is a firm no for at least six days. Your skin post-CO2 treatment is essentially an open wound. Makeup, even high-end concealer, contains bacteria, preservatives, and chemicals that can enter the compromised skin and cause infection. An infection doesn’t just slow your recovery; it can affect your results and cause scarring. Plan a work-from-home day if at all possible. Your future skin will thank you for waiting.
From Day 4 you can switch from sterile normal saline to Cetaphil, a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser safe for healing skin. We recommend it specifically because it doesn’t disrupt the barrier function or introduce irritants. Your full skincare routine will be reintroduced as part of the ongoing protocol your clinician will discuss at the Day 6 follow-up.
Day 3 itchiness is very common, particularly around the mouth, because the skin is drying out as it heals. The answer is Vaseline, and lots of it. Cosmedix Rescue Plus is also excellent at this stage. Keep those products applied generously and reapply as often as needed. What you absolutely cannot do is scratch or pick, that disrupts healing and can affect your final result. If the itch is really intense, gently pat (don’t rub) the area, then reapply Vaseline.
Nothing has gone wrong, in fact, what you’re seeing is the treatment working exactly as intended. Those tiny black dots are microscopic crusts forming where the laser treated the skin. The darkening is the outer layer preparing to shed. Think of it as your skin physically moving old, damaged tissue to the surface so new, fresh skin can emerge underneath. It will look progressively better from Day 4. By Day 6, most people are genuinely amazed at the difference.
One accidental touch doesn’t mean certain infection. Wash your hands thoroughly right now, then gently cleanse the area with sterile normal saline, pat dry with a clean cloth, and reapply Vaseline. Stay vigilant from this point forward. If you notice spreading redness, unusual discharge, or increasing pain, contact us on 0468 364 222. A single accidental touch followed by immediate cleansing is unlikely to cause a problem.
Avoid strenuous exercise for the first few days. Increased blood flow and sweating can extend the inflammatory phase and create a warm, moist environment that increases infection risk. Light walking is generally fine once the acute phase passes. Hold off on anything that significantly elevates your heart rate for at least three to four days. By Day 6, most patients are ready to return to normal activity.
Visible improvement really kicks in from Day 4 as the dots start falling off and the skin begins lightening. By Day 6 most people see a marked difference in texture and tone. But the deeper results, collagen remodelling, improved elasticity, longer-term skin quality, continue developing for several weeks. Most patients see their best results at the 4–6 week mark.
Should you have any further questions regarding your treatment, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 0468 364 222 or brisbane@injexclinics.com.
