Can active FX laser cause permanent swelling? I had procedure done a month ago and still have some swelling on upper cheekbones

While it is difficult to determine whether your swelling is normal without seeing you in person, I can tell you that it is not unusual to have some residual swelling in the midface at this point. I recommend continuing to sleep with your head elevated to manage the swelling. You can also place warm compresses on the area. I would expect you to begin seeing improvement in this swelling in the next few weeks. However, you can always schedule a follow-up with your doctor, who can evaluate you in person and put your concerns to rest. 

This is a good question! However, it is difficult to give you a definitive answer without an in person visit or a photo.  In our office's experience we tell our patients that they are red and crusty for a 1-2 week and then redness and puffy for up to 2 weeks.  We educate the patients that the redness may last up to 6 months post treatment. I would recommend that you see a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon with cosmetic training so to open further dialogue with the treating physician.

You swelling is not permanent and will resolve.  Everybody reacts slightly different to device treatments.  The majority of swelling should resolve by 2 weeks but this does not mean that you will have residual swelling up until the 4th week.

With laser resurfacing of the sort you underwent there should be some residual swelling at this stage. Ultimately, within a few months or maybe more, that swelling will resolve. The wound created by the laser is really quite broad in terms of surface area. All wounds heal by the same wound healing process that includes inflammation and remodeling. That process progresses for months if not a year or two. The swelling you and others can actually "see" will resolve over ~ 3 months. Hope this helps.Best of luck. 

It is normal to still have some swelling a month after laser therapy.  You also could have some residual redness.  I would expect you to see your final result at about 3 months.f

Its extremely unlikely that active FX would cause permanent cheek swelling.  You are still healing.  Its best to see your physician and ensure you are following appropriate post laser skin care protocol.  I hope this helps you.

ActiveFx is one of the most powerful ways I can rejuvenate my patients' complexion. It remains the gold standard in skin rejuvenation. That said, when I use a high energy device like ActiveFx, I fully expect and inform my patients that they will experience a longer downtime, however with a longer downtime directly comes a better outcome. Although nobody likes the redness of their skin during recovery, I ask them to remember that the redness means increased blood supply and increased blood supply means more healing and collagen deposition and therefore better results. 
All this is said to give you back ground that at one month, you are likely still swollen due to the healing process that is continuing. This is good! You will likely have a better outcome because of it. It will not be permanent.

Thank you for your question. Swelling in the peri-orbital area (malar/cheek area) typically lasts a bit longer than other areas of the face due to the nature of the lymphatic system in this region. The swelling that you see now will resolve.  Keeping your head elevated and using warm moist compresses  will encourage fluid movement and resolution. 

You should not have permanent swelling.  It may take time to resolve. Sometimes someone's skin may be a little more sensitive & it takes a little longer to calm down.  Hang in there...

You probably are still swollen and slightly red from the procedure.  You should follow up with your physician to make sure you're healing appropriately.