Deep ablative CO2 laser resurfacing on face and neck 10 days ago. How can I stop this misery?

Question

This has been the most excruciating painful thing I've ever experienced. I still have some oozing and pain on my neck with only a couple itchy spots. My face itches so severely I want to scratch it off. I'm taking benadryl and also using aquaphor and Cetaphil moisturizer on my face. Per my dr I'm still using neosporin with pain control on my neck until the oozing stops. My face still has minimal swelling and angry redness. And the texture is horrible like an orange peel and horrible acne.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I recommend following up with a cosmetic dermatologist for after care recommendations. I recommend skin care with vitamin c, b5 hydrator, silicone based scar gels with growth factors and enzymatic washes with papaya enzyme to give improvement. PDT therapy can calm inflammation. Sun protection is essential. Lasers like Co2 work best in combination with other treatments in order to improve the skin's texture and collagen. After Co2, I recommend adding fraxel lasers, microneedling/prp, and Cosmelan treatments to get the most improvement. Best, Dr. Emer

Amy Y. Paul, DO, FAAD · Answer

Sorry you are having so much trouble!  You hopefully have followed up with your laser specialist and are feeling better by now.  One of the thing you mentioned was that you were using Neosporin on the areas while they were healing, and I am wondering if part of the problem was a contact dermatitis or allergy to something in the ointment.  We always have patients use just simple vaseline or Aquaphor for a few days post CO2.  We also use a dilute vinegar solution to clean the face for the first few days to cut down on bacteria, viruses and other organisms.  Be sure and follow up with your treating physician, and I hope you have wonderful results!

Mehdi (Robert) Motazedi, MD · Answer

Itching can be normal after any CO2 procedure.  Do not scratch or rub the areas.  If you are rubbing the areas, you may have removed the new skin and that is why you are experiencing oozing this far out.  The skin in the treatment area is very sensitive and can be irritated and removed by rubbing the area with your fingers or a wash cloth.  If the new skin is removed, you will delay your healing.  Benadryl can help.  Cool compresses can also help with the itching. Neosporin can be very allergenic and you may have developed an allergy to it.  I usually recommend patients  only use vaseline until the area is healed.  You need to contact your physician and do not self treat.  Redness or pink skin after treatment is normal.  It usually takes 6-8 weeks for your skin to return to normal coloration.

Mary Beth Mudd, MD · Answer

I would contact your laser physician to be seen ASAP to make sure that everything is healing correctly. Without seeing you, it would be impossible to know if your symptoms are just normal healing, but these can also be symptoms from an infection such as yeast or bacteria. Your physician will be able to examine your face and answer your questions about whether this is normal or not. Best wishes, Mary Beth Mudd

Deep ablative CO2 laser resurfacing on face and neck 10 days ago. How can I stop this misery?

Answers (4)

Answer: Healing after deep ablative CO2 laser

Answer: Healing after deep ablative CO2 laser

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Everything you need to know about CO2 Laser

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Deep ablative CO2 laser resurfacing on face and neck 10 days ago. How can I stop this misery?

Answers (4)

Answer: Healing after deep ablative CO2 laser

Answer: Healing after deep ablative CO2 laser

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about CO2 Laser

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.