Your face will show redness, irritation, and a grid pattern of brown, dot-like wounds during the healing process, so most people will want to take up to two weeks of social downtime. During this time, you’ll likely experience redness, swelling, scabbing, and flaking.
Avoid exercise, heat, steam, and any activity that makes you sweat for at least 48 hours after treatment; this can intensify inflammation.
To help reduce swelling, apply covered ice packs (10 minutes on, 10 minutes off) and sleep with your head elevated.Â
By day three, most of the swelling will have subsided and the plasma-induced dots will begin to crust and scab. “Tiny scabs from micro-injuries usually fall off within five to seven days. To avoid scarring, patients need to let scabs fall off naturally—no picking,” says Dr. Windle. “The remaining skin will appear pink, which can be covered up with mineral based make-up. New skin will be more sensitive to UVA/UVB rays, so wearing protective sunscreen with zinc oxide and/or titanium oxide is important.”
Dr. Nazanin Saedi, a Philadelphia-based dermatologist, agrees that when heading outdoors, you’ll need to “be very strict about sun protection for at least two weeks." She suggests using a mineral-based powder sunscreen and wearing oversize sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. Some providers say you'll need to stay out of the sun or really slather on the sun protection for up to two months. Â
Your provider will give you additional instructions for aftercare and optimal healing, which may include:
- Not wearing makeup until all the scabs have fallen off and skin is completely recoveredÂ
- Not waxing the treatment area for at least 21 days, if not longerÂ
- Not touching, scratching, or rubbing the area
