Is It Normal to Have A Rash After Laser Resurfacing?

You must contact your physician immediately.

Any rash after laser resurfacing is potentially serious (skin infection or herpes infection) and needs evaluation.

  I agree with the last doctor who answered.  A rash after laser resurfacing is not "normal" and may be due to a variety of causes.  Please contact your treating physician. 

Itchy stingy red rash within days after laser resurfacing may be suggestive of secondary herpes infection. White pustules after laser resurfacing may relate to fungal infection. Yellowish crusting with pain after laser resurfacing is most likely secondary staph infection. Ideally, your laser surgeon should review possible post-op complications and take proactive steps to minimize potential problem.

Having an itchy rash after laser resurfacing can be a reaction to a numbing cream that was applied before the treatment or creams that you are using after. Painful rashes after resurfacing could be a sign of a herpes cold sore outbreak, and depending on which laser was used, it is very important that you tell your doctor immediately as it can cause scarring. If it is a bacterial infection it can get worse and scar and cause serious medical problems so call your doctor now and if you can't reach them, go to an emergency department to see if you need treatment for herpes and/or a bacterial or yeast infection.  If it is an allergic contact dermatitis to the creams then you will need different treatment for that. After your urgent care, be sure your doctor knows about the development if you didn't see them and get follow-up care from them.

Contact your doctor immediately. It is likely that you have an infection (yeast, bacterial or less likely viral).  It is also possible, but less likely that you are having an allergic reaction to something.  All of these need urgent treatment.