Recommendations? Dryness, Cracking Still After Severe Facial Herpes Outbreak After Laser Resurfacing?

It is common to prescribe antiviral medication to prevent herpes in those individuals undergoing stressful resurfacing procedures such as fraxel repair CO2 and dermabrasion even if the patient doesn't have a history of herpes as the virus is so common-placed that many of us have been exposed to the virus by having been kissed by someone who had it, even if we were a child, but may not have had an episode of the sore. When stressed, such as having a wound, the first clinical outbreak of... more

Thank you for your question. See a Board Certified Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon an evaluation and recommendations. You should have been taking the medication prior to your treatment, at least 24 hours, and preferably 48 hour if you are prone to the Herpes outbreaks. It can take several weeks after a breakout for your skin to normalize. Be sure to moisturize often with a thick layer of petroleum jelly ointment several times a day during the healing phase and keep it protected from... more

I believe what you are describing is an irritant dermatitis around the mouth. Best to see your dermatologist as there are many great prescription cream treatments for this.