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Is It Normal To Breakout In Painful Acne After Laser Resurfacing?

asked 5 months ago by Chitowngal in Orange, CA
Latest answer by Sanusi Umar, MD
Question viewed 196 times
Tags: 2 weeks post-op, acne breakouts, normal, pain

I had Laser resurfacing 2 weeks ago and am experiencing what I can only call as painful acne (I have never had any acne issues before) around my mouth and eye areas that do not seem to be getting any better. I also have swelling of lower part of my face and wanted to find out if this in normal or anything I should be concerned with?

9 answers to Is It Normal To Breakout In Painful Acne After Laser Resurfacing?

+2

Acne is common, post peel regime important

Generally in my practice after laser resurfacing, patients need to be placed on a post peel regime to guard against the development of post procedure acne and discoloration (dyschromia). I encourage all of my patients to closely follow up with me during the critical period of healing after any procedure. You may want to visit your doctor again to be sure everything is OK.
William Franckle, MD

Voorhees Plastic Surgeon
+2

Breakout after laser

It is certainly possible to break out after laser resurfacing. What is most commonly seen is folliculitis associated with greasy emollients that you might be using. You could also have an infection of some type so it would be best to see your doctor and have a look.
Jo Herzog, MD

Birmingham Dermatologist
+2

Laser resurfacing and painful acne?

Are you sure it is acne? It may be a herpetic lesion outbreak. You should see your doctor ASAP to make sure everything is OK.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Re: Painful Acne After Laser Resurfacing

Without seeing your condition first hand, it would be difficult to form any solid conclusions about your post laser acne condition. However, what may have happened is that the laser may have affected the hair follicles or sebaceous glands in your skin. As you may know, sebaceous glands produce oil. And in acne patients, these glands are usually quite enlarged and active. Painful acne is quite possible after laser resurfacing, particularly in patients with dark hair. Dark hair has melanin... more
Sanusi Umar, MD

Redondo Beach Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Post laser acne breakout.

I agree with the other posters that you should check in with your doctor. Acne is possible but usually not painful. Herpes reactivation is possible and treatment may help. The rash you describe is also possible with topical bacitracin allergy-- if you are using it.
Adam Tattelbaum, MD

Washington DC Plastic Surgeon
+1

Acne breakout post laser resurfacing

Acne breakouts, especially on the lower 1/2 of the face, can be seen a week or two following both ablative and non-ablative laser resurfacing. This tends to occur more often in individuals who have a past history of inflammatory (or painful) acne. Nonetheless, this can happen to anyone. Treatment for these post- treatment painful acne breakouts can be alleviated with oral antibiotics. However, it is extremely important to be evaluated by your doctor to ensure... more
Lesley Clark-Loeser, MD

Miami Dermatologist
+1

Acne post laser skin resurfacing

I am not sure what type of laser treatment you had however most of the time after laser treatments you are given an ointment that helps occlude the skin surface. These ointments vary surgeon to surgeon and may be petroleum based and are very greasy. It is common to see small breakout areas but not acne or painful. Do you have any history of cold sores or herpes? If so you need to be put on an anti herpetic medication such as valtrex. In the preoperative screening phase this is a question we... more
Michael Elam, MD

Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Laser resurfacing and outbreak

Painful lesions developing after laser resurfacing could be serioius within the first few weeks. Laser resurfacing is not to be taken lightly. Please contact your doctor. Herpes can break out and cause scarring so can Staph bacterial hair follicle infections. Sometimes it is just acne and some prescribed medication can make it feel better, resolve more quickly and limit the chance for it to scar if you have a tendency to have scarring cystic acne.
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

"painful acne" post laser resurfacing

The appearance of milia or whiteheads is not uncommon after laser resurfacing, likely associated with the topical ointments or medications used for wound healing. However, painful outbreaks are unusual and should be evaluated by your surgeon. This may be a herpes outbreak which can spread over the resurfaced areas.
Todd C. Case, MD

Tucson Plastic Surgeon

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