Pimples After a Micro Laser Peel

Question

I had a 10 - 15 micron laser peel 3 days ago - now I have a big cystic type pimple right on my jawline - is that normal? I am really disappointed!

Mansour Bendago, FRCSC · Answer

It
is normal to break out after Micro Laser Peel. It is an ablative treatment , so
during the healing process the skin can react differently, and cause
temporarily cystic acne.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

It is completely normal for the skin to breakout after any type of skin treatment, including a MicroLaser Peel to the face.  I would recommend a good exfoliant and retin-a post laser to help reduce acne and breakouts. Kare - Raffy Karamanoukian, Los Angeles

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

Laser "peels" or superficial laser resurfacing (a 10-15 micron tissue removal is extremely superficial, mostly epidermis only) remove tissue and stimulate a healing process from the very precise "injury" that tissue vaporization via laser causes.

	During the healing process, re-epithelialization occurs, and pores or hair follicles can seal shut causing a tiny pimple (termed milia). Swelling during the healing process can temporarily block pores as well. In some cases the healed-over pore may be "durable enough" or swollen enough to cause the development of a somewhat larger acne cyst.

	These are temporary, and if they don't resolve on their own (or if they are the larger ones like you are describing), your doctor can easily puncture and drain them with a sterile needle.

	BTW, the occlusive dressings used during the healing process keep the skin moist, enhancing re-epithelialization and reducing redness and swelling. It's the swelling (or the healed-over pore) during the healing process that causes the blemish, NOT the occlusive dressing. This is easily proven by discontinuing the occlusive dressing (patients who are misinformed do this on their own), and finding out that redness and milia formation is actually WORSE! The better the occlusive dressing is used (assuming the skin is being kept clean also, but not excessively washed, especially with drying and irritating soaps), the quicker the swelling and redness resolves, and the sooner the milia go away.

	By now you already know this, but other readers may want to know. Thanks for asking!

Jacque P. LeBeau, MD · Answer

It is not uncommon to have some breakout in your skin following this type of procedure.  There may be some healing over of some of your pores following the treatment and will typically resolve within the next several weeks.  Please make sure to continue close communication with your physician regarding use of facial cleansers, occlusive dressing and moisturizers to make sure you obtain the optimal result.  
	Best Regards,

	Jacque P. LeBeau, MD

Anatoli Freiman, MD · Answer

Microlaser peel resurfaces the top layers of the skin and sometimes patients can break out with pimples or miliae after the treatment.  It's not a cause for concern and most reactions are self-resolving and long-term results are good.

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