Laser resurfacing pre & post-care.
Resurfacing asks a little more of you than AviClear® — both before, to prepare your skin, and after, during recovery. None of it is hard, but following it closely makes a real difference in your comfort, your healing, and your result. If your provider's instructions differ from this page, follow theirs.
Prepare your skin.
Resurfacing rewards preparation — easing off actives and protecting your skin beforehand makes recovery calmer and your result better.
- Retinoids / retinol
- Exfoliating acids (AHA / BHA)
- Benzoyl peroxide and other strong actives
- Scrubs and aggressive exfoliation
- Waxing or other treatments on the area
- Avoid sun exposure and tanning — treating recently tanned or burned skin raises the risk of pigment changes
- Wear daily SPF and seek shade in the weeks beforehand
- Begin a gentle, hydrating routine — mild cleanser and a simple moisturizer
- Calm, well-hydrated skin recovers better
The intensive window.
Come with clean skin and no makeup on the treatment area. Your provider will cleanse the skin and, depending on the protocol, apply numbing before treatment. Plan for the session plus prep and a few minutes afterward.
This is when aftercare matters most. Expect warmth, redness, mild swelling, and — over the next couple of days — likely peeling or flaking. All of that is the skin healing, not a problem.
- Cool it — use the cooling method your provider recommends for warmth and swelling
- Keep skin protected and moist with the occlusive moisturizer your provider specifies — don’t let it dry out
- No actives — no retinoids, acids, or benzoyl peroxide
- Gentle cleansing only, with lukewarm (not hot) water and clean hands
- Strict SPF the moment you’re outdoors — healing skin burns and marks easily
- Don’t pick or peel the flaking skin — let it shed on its own
- Skip heavy workouts, sweating, saunas, hot showers, and swimming for the window your provider sets
What's normal — and when to call.
- Peeling, flaking, and dryness as the surface renews
- Skin looking pink or feeling tight
- A "sandpaper" texture before it smooths
- Increasing pain, swelling, or redness instead of steady improvement
- Blistering, oozing, signs of infection, or unusual pigment changes
- Anything that worries you
Easing back to normal.
As the skin finishes its initial renewal, you can gradually return to your regular routine — on your provider’s timeline, not the internet’s. Reintroduce actives like retinoids slowly, and only once your provider says your skin is ready; coming back too fast is a common, avoidable setback. Hold off on makeup over the treated area until the skin has settled and your provider clears it — typically once peeling is complete and the surface is intact.
Keep moisturizing, and keep up the sun protection.
Questions before your session?
Ask at your visit or call your location. With resurfacing, an informed patient is a comfortable, well-healing one.