Ask a doctor

Is It Normal to Have A Rash After Laser Resurfacing?

I had laser resurfacing 4 days ago and apart from the pain that i have this morning i woke up with what i believe is a rash all over my chin and cheeks , im so itchy but at the same time Im in pain and very red, hot and swollen. Is this normal?? , I dont know what to do :( ....Please help !!!!! thanks

Doctor Answers 12

Rash after laser resurfacing

February 10th, 2011
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

You must contact your physician immediately.

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

Brent Moelleken, MD


Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 133 reviews

Itchy Rash After Laser Can be Yeast or Heries Infection

August 21st, 2012
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Thank you for your question.

An itchy rash 4 days after Laser Resurfacing raises an alarm bell for your doctor so contact the doctor.

Most commonly an itchy rash after laser resurfacing indicates a yeast infection which can be easily treated with a medication called Diflucan.

However Herpes and bacterial Infections must be ruled out

Web reference: http://drseckel.com/non-surgical-procedures/fractional-laser-skin-resurfacing-the-revolutionary-new-laser-skin-peel/

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS

Rash after laser resurfacing

February 28th, 2011
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
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.

Web reference: http://www.drwilliamting.com/What_s_New.html

William Ting, MD

William Ting, MD
Bay Area Dermatologic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 12 reviews

Call your doctor today!

November 26th, 2013
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Stop typing and pick up the phone! Your doctor needs to hear about these kinds of complications when they occur following ablative laser therapy. Any rash after laser resurfacing is potentially serious (skin infection or herpes infection) and needs to be seen by your doc.

Bobby Buka, MD

Bobby Buka, MD
New York Dermatologist
5.0 out of 5 stars 7 reviews

Laser Post-Op

March 10th, 2011
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

I would encourage you to contact your surgeon at once. Upon examination, your surgeon will be able to make a determination on fol ow-up treatment if necessary.

Web reference: http://www.sullivancentre.com

Michael Sullivan, MD

Michael Sullivan, MD
Columbus Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 74 reviews

Itchy painful rash after laser resurfacing

February 17th, 2011
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

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.

Web reference: http://www.thenyac.com/fraxel/index.html

Ronald Shelton, MD

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 37 reviews

Contact your Doctor

February 11th, 2011
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

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.

Edgar Franklin Fincher, MD, PhD

Edgar Franklin Fincher, MD, PhD
Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 1 review

Is It Normal to Have A Rash After Laser Resurfacing?

February 11th, 2011
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

NO! Call your treating doctor ASAP for treatment. Could be an infection, herpes, or allergy. CALL. From MIAMI Dr. darryl J. Blinski

Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Pain and rash are not normal after laser resurfacing

February 10th, 2011
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

It is normal to have some dryness, scabbing, redness and mild discomfort after laser resurfacing, but pain and rash are not part of the recovery process.

This may be an infection, bacterial or herpes or a contact dermatitis to something that was or is applied to the face.

Please contact your treating doctor immediately as any of the above can cause consequences such as discoloration or scarring.

Emily Altman, MD

Emily Altman, MD
Short Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 4 reviews

Rash after laser

February 10th, 2011
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

If you developed a rash after laser treatment, it could be a bacterial or viral infection that needs to be treated. You shoudl see your doctor ASAP.

Web reference: http://www.stevenwallachmd.com

Steven Wallach, MD

Steven Wallach, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
4.1 out of 5 stars 23 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.