Postoperative care is a
vital necessity in laser
treatments. All types
of laser procedures leave
some aftereffects that
need to be handled and
treated with restorative
and precautionary measures.
Let us take a look at
the details of the aftercare,
according to the various
laser treatments.
Vascular lesion laser
therapy
Purpuria accompanied by
hyperemia is the immediate
effect after the application
of a 585-nm pulsed dye
laser to treat vascular
lesions. Intermittent wave
(CW) lasers for instance
copper vapor, krypton,
KTP and argon-driven dye
lasers, result in reddening
of the skin with widening
of the tiny blood vessels
near its surface and extra
fluid accumulation in tissue
cells.
Restorative measures typically
include:
- Safeguard skin from
the sun .
- Use a topical
antibiotic ointment
7 to 10 days
after the laser application.
- Use only gentle, soothing
soap e.g.
Catrix Correction
Cream Wash, BiOz
azulene cleanser, Cetaphil
or Aquanil, twice
daily
on the healing
spots.
Pigmented lesion and tatoo
laser treatment
The pigment or tattoo
becomes ash-white or purpuric
after the laser therapy.
Restorative measures typically
include:
- Rinse the corrected
spots with gentle soap
and water twice daily,
1 to 2 weeks after the
laser application.
- Use
antibiotic ointment
after each wash and continue
this regimen till the
spot is restored.
- Use
sunscreens and bandages
to safeguard
the treated
areas from the sun.
Laser treatment for vascular
lesions, lentigines, tattoos,
hypertrophic scars, or
keloids
Here the corrected skin
is highly sensitive and
requires great care 7 to
10 days after the therapy.
The post treatment blemishes
take weeks to fade out.
Restorative measures typically
include:
- Use bacitracin, polysporin,
or Bactroban ointment
and apply a protective
Telfa
pad with adhesive. This
should be done once to
twice daily for 7 to
10 days. Avoid Neosporin
on
corrected spots.
- Take
short showers but avoid
longs baths.
After
a bath, gently pat
dry the corrected areas
with
a soft cloth. Never
wipe hard with a towel.
- Apply acetaminophen
(Tylenol) when there
is any kind
of short-term irritation.
In case of long-term
irritation, consult
the physician.
- Do not take aspirin
or aspirin-based
drugs during
the restorative
period, which is generally
1 to 2 weeks after
therapy.
- Use
an ice pack for 10
to 15 minutes
every
hour
(for 4 hours)
on corrected area
to soothe swelling.
- Use a sunscreen with
a minimum
SPF of 15
to prevent
sunburn during
and after therapy.
- Do not swim and undertake
any contact
sports
during the
healing time.
- Never prick the blisters
or scabs
that may
occur.
Cutaneous laser resurfacing
The skin turns light pink
and slightly inflamed right
after the therapy. After
a day or two there is intense
reddening, fluid buildup,
accompanied by inflammation,
oozing and crusting of
the corrected spots. Take
rest and avoid socializing
in the first 7 to 10 days
after therapy.
Restorative measures typically
include:
- Immediately after laser
application, use ice
packs, frozen peas, corn
packs
or a cooling mask on
the corrected areas.
This must
be done judiciously at
an interval of 1 to 2
hours for the first 3
days after
surgery. Thereafter continue
to routinely use icepacks,
cooling masks or cold-water
compress on the corrected
area coupled with anti-inflammatory
drugs such as acetaminophen
to soothe the inflammation
and discomfort.
- Regularly
use curative ointments
like Aquaphor,
Bi02 healing balm,
Catrix-10, Theraplex,
or Elta, to
ensure hydration of
the treated area. This
speeds
up the healing process.
You can also seal the
spots with semipermeable
hydrogel
wound dressings such
as Vigilon, Second
Skin or
Flexzan. The best way
to use these ointments
is
to gently apply them
with your fingertips
every 1
to 2 hours while awake.
- You must keep your
head elevated while
relaxing
or sleeping for the
first few days after
therapy,
to minimize inflammation.
- Safeguard
from sun exposure with
sunscreens,
Banucci
sun block masks,
protective hats,
UV-blocking eyeshades
etc.
- Take oral
antiherpetic drugs
(e.g., acyclovir,
famciclovir,
valacyclovir) for 10
days, if
large areas have
been treated
or if
you have a propensity
to herpes labialis.
- Take
antibiotics (staphylococcus
and streptococcus)
during
and after therapy,
if you
have a history
of valvular
heart disease
and if
large areas
have been laser corrected.
- Also,
use anti-inflammatory
medication
(acetaminophen,
steroid),
non-narcotic pain relievers
and sleeping
pills if
necessary.
- Do
not use topical antibiotics
on
the sensitive
treated
spots as it may
cause
allergic
and
irritant
reaction.
- Try
not to forget the
doses
of medication
prescribed.
- Do
not apply any
cosmetics
or
personal care
products
before
10
days of the
therapy
and
then too
under
expert
consultation.
Make
up
is also
often
used
to
mask
the
laser marks
till
they
fade
out.
After these initial post
therapy restorative measures,
the patient must go for
a follow-up visit, which
is generally within a week
after the therapy. After
that, patients are generally
advised to check up every
3 to 4 weeks.
However, there may be
variations according to
individual patient response
and situations. Full-face
corrected patients are
generally recalled on the
fourth day after therapy.
Those patients who witness
severe skin resurfacing
may have to visit the physician
regularly until the condition
is restored.
Postoperative skin care
and follow-up visits will
go on for many months.
Proper care and caution
taken during this period
hastens the healing process.
Make sure to talk with
your laser treatment specialist
for advice specific to
your condition and your
treatment.
