Treatment for irritation after Pearl Laser?

I had the Pearl Laser treatment 3 days ago, and my face (especially the area around my mouth) has red bumps and/or rash, and my skin looks irritated. I also have honey comb imprints all over my face, darker in some areas than others, and have developed this itch along with red, blotchy spots. Are these normal post-Pearl Laser? What can I do to improve my skin's condition?

Comments

drhumes
24 posts
6 Dec 2008

The honey comb appearance you describe is commonly seen post Pearl laser treatment.  This will improve over the 5 days you are healing, and will resolve when you complete the peeling process.  Keeping the skin moist with Aquaphor or a similar product is important.  The more moist you keep your skin, the better it will peel. As far as the itching and red bumps you describe, the itching may be because you are not keeping your skin as moist and greasy as I usually recommend.  Apply Aquaphor more frequently throughout the day to see if this improves your itching.  The red bumps may be normal post treatment, it is difficult to say without seeing your skin.  It is possible to get a dermatitis after an aggressive laser treatment.  It is also possible that your skin is sensative to the products you are using post-treatment.  If you are concerned about the red bumps and itching or if they do not improve, I recommend contacting your treating physician.  In addition to using a gentle cleanser to wash your face, you can use a vinegar solution to decrease bacteria.  Mix 1 tablespoon of WHITE vinegar with 1 cup of water.  Wash your face twice per day with a clean soft cloth and the white vinegar solution.  Apply Aquaphor after you dry your face. In a couple of days, after you complete the peeling process, you will love your skin.

Steven A. Schlosser M.D.
92 posts
5 Dec 2008

Yes what you describe is a very common appearance 3 days post Pearl Resurfacing. It should peel and resolve in the next several days. If you have excessive itching, you should contact your doctor to make sure you don't have a contact dermatitis which needs to be treated with steroids, but that sounds unlikely. The honeycomb appearance will disappear when you peel in the next day or two.The red spots will gradually subside. Keep it moist with Aquafor or Silkses by Sesderma. Follow up with a call to your doctor. You should do fine and will love the results in a week or so.

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