Halo Laser: What to Expect During Healing

Soooo, I got the Halo laser this past Thursday on my face and neck and I want to let you know what to expect. I was so mesmerized by the 'after' photos that I really didn't focus on the healing horizon my doctor described. I feel sure this was my fault, as I tend to go into hyper-focus and I could not concentrate on what they were saying once they whipped out the photos of those gorgeous complexions.
Day of Procedure: After sitting with numbing gel on my face for an hour, the procedure began. The procedure itself starts with a sensation of sparks hitting your face then progresses to a sensation of your face being aerated by one of those core aeration machines. I would say the discomfort level is moderate. However, after the procedure, I wish I had asked for a prescription pain pill. While my pain threshold is high, my skin is sensitive and it literally felt like a flame-thrower had been used on my face. I blasted my car's a/c all the way home and it barely kept the pain tolerable enough to get back to my house. I admit that I cursed quite a bit in the few hours after the procedure because I really wasn't mentally prepared for the pain and burning sensation after the procedure - literally like hot lava under the surface of your skin. This sensation subsided about 2 hours after the procedure was over, but for the love of Pete, it hurt!!
Day 1 After: Swelling and redness.....I looked like an explorer with too much sun and wind exposure and needed Advil to get through the day. I could still go in public the first day after the procedure without frightening small children, but I really didn't want to be in front of people I know.
Days 2-3 After: This is what you need to know: do not plan to go out in public. My face had the swelling of a Cabbage Patch Kid while my skin had the texture of say, Dead Pool. The skin started a flaking process that had the texture of coffee grounds, but the flakes really didn't want to come off my face, as though they were clinging to Mommy on the first day of preschool. My physician gave the LaRoche-Posey moisturizer/sunscreen that settled into the dying flakes, giving a cast of a person who had been in some sort of industrial accident. Plan ahead for this phase....plan to clean out some closets or drawers. File all that paperwork that's been accumulating for the past 6 months. Learn Spanish in Duolingo. Whatever you do, do NOT plan to go in public on these days cause you look insane and the thought of the smallest crack of sunlight on your delicate skin will make you cringe.
Day 4: So I decided to switch to Aquaphor and the mineral oil/glycerine combo are making the dead skin colonies clump together and fall off in these weird masses of dead skin. EEWWWWWWW!! I'm working from home today and I feel sure my co-workers and clients do not understand the solid favor I'm doing for them by staying away. I'm starting to see the delicate new pink skin underneath the healing and wonder if this procedure might be worth it after all.
*Will post more as the healing progresses*

Days 4 - 5: Ahh, the magic! My skin started clumping and falling off at a rapid rate and the new skin peeked right through. The skin is a little sensitive but nothing intolerable. Now I completely see why people are huge fans of the Halo laser!
I have been reassured that the continuing collagen growth happens in the weeks and months following the procedure, so I'm happy but expect to be even happier!!