Potential Risks and Complications:
- Redness, swelling, oozing, and crusting for several days (ablative) or 1–3 days (non-ablative); redness can persist for weeks
- Pain or burning during healing
- Infection: bacterial, viral (cold sore flare), or fungal
- Hyperpigmentation: darkening, common in tanned or darker skin, usually fading over months
- Hypopigmentation: lightening that can be permanent, especially with deep ablative treatment
- Prolonged redness, milia, or acne flare
- Scarring, including textured or thickened scars (rare)
- Eye injury without protective eyewear
- Lines of demarcation between treated and untreated skin
Strict sun avoidance and SPF 30+ for 4 weeks before and 8 weeks after is essential. Ablative resurfacing requires a wound-care routine for 5–10 days and time off work.