POST CARE GUIDE

ResurFX Aftercare

ResurFX is a non-ablative fractional laser, so the skin surface stays intact and there is no open wound to care for. Expect redness for one to five days, swelling for a day or two, and then a few days of faint bronzed specks and skin that feels like fine sandpaper. This guide covers how to cool and moisturize the skin, the sunscreen that protects your result, what to leave out of your routine, and the signs that mean you should call us.

Download Post Care Guide (806) 701-5840

Your ResurFX recovery at a glance

What happens, and when

Here is the path from treatment day to final result.

Same Day

Red, warm and a little swollen

Your skin will look and feel like a fresh sunburn when you leave, and the heat usually fades within a few hours. That is the expected reaction to the laser. Cool compresses help. Go home with sunscreen on and keep the evening simple: a gentle cleanser and a plain, soothing moisturizer.

Days 1 to 5

The red days

Swelling usually settles in one to two days and is most noticeable the first morning, especially around the eyes after a face treatment. Sleeping with your head slightly raised helps. Redness fades over one to five days, and the skin may feel dry, tight or itchy as it settles.

Days 3 to 10, then months

Sandpaper skin, then the real change

Faint bronzed specks and a fine-sandpaper feel are normal for three to ten days. That is treated tissue shedding, so let it go on its own. The real change happens out of sight as new collagen forms over the months after each session.

Cool, moisturize, protect, and leave it alone

How to Care for Your Skin After ResurFX

Cool the skin the first day

For the first day, use cool (not frozen) compresses or a clean, cool damp cloth on the treated skin for short stretches whenever it feels hot. Do not put ice directly on the skin. Pat, do not rub.

Cleanse gently

Keep the area clean for the first several days. Wash with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser or micellar water and lukewarm water, then pat dry with a clean towel. No scrubs, brushes or washcloths on the treated area.

Keep it moisturized

Apply a plain, fragrance-free soothing moisturizer morning and night, and any time the skin feels dry, tight or itchy. Skin that stays moist is more comfortable and settles more evenly.

Daily SPF 30+ for a month

Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every day and reapply every two hours outdoors. Avoid direct sun on the treated skin for at least one month. A mineral formula with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide is gentlest on freshly treated skin.

Leave the treated skin alone

Protect the area from rubbing and bumps for the first four to five days. Do not pick at or scratch the bronzed specks or flaky skin. Let them shed on their own. Interfering with them is how a short recovery turns into a mark.

A few red days, then a sandpaper week

What's Normal: ResurFX Downtime

Normal, temporary, and part of the process.

Redness and swelling (one to five days)

Redness usually lasts one to five days and swelling one to two, like a sunburn. Fair or sensitive skin can stay pink longer, and treatments on the body tend to take a little longer to settle than the face.

Bronzed specks and a sandpaper feel

For three to ten days you may see faint, light-colored or bronzed specks and feel fine sandpaper texture across the treated area. This is expected shedding. Moisturize and leave it alone.

No open wound

ResurFX does not remove the skin surface, so there is no raw skin to dress or protect. That is the difference between ResurFX and an ablative laser, which leaves the surface open for a week or more.

Sun, tanning, heat and active skincare while the skin settles

What to Avoid After ResurFX

Sun & Tanning

Avoid direct sun on the treated skin for at least one month and wear SPF 30+ every day. No tanning beds, spray tans or self-tanner for four to six weeks after treatment. Tanned skin raises the risk of pigment changes.

Heat & Sweating

Skip saunas, hot tubs, hot yoga and hard workouts while the skin is red and swollen, usually the first few days. Heat makes redness and swelling worse.

Active Skincare

Leave retinoids, acids, vitamin C and exfoliating products out of your routine until the redness and sandpaper texture are gone. Go back to them once your skin feels normal.

Makeup

Wait two to three days before wearing makeup, and start with a clean mineral formula. Stop and call us if the skin reacts to it.

Picking & Scrubbing

No scrubs, brushes, microcurrent devices or picking at the specks or flaky skin. Protect the area from rubbing for the first four to five days.

When to Call The Spa After ResurFX

Contact The Spa immediately if you experience:

Redness, warmth and swelling that feel like a sunburn are expected for the first few days after ResurFX, and so are dryness, itching and a sandpaper feel as the skin sheds. None of that needs a call. Reach out promptly if you notice any of the following:

Redness or swelling that worsens after the second day instead of steadily settling.
Blistering, crusting or open skin anywhere in the treated area.
Signs of infection: pus or yellow drainage, spreading warmth, red streaking, or a fever.
A cold sore or a cluster of small painful blisters in or near the treated area.
Pain that climbs after the first day rather than fading.
A change in skin color, dark or light patches that appear in the weeks after treatment.

During business hours, call us at (806) 701-5840. For severe symptoms outside our hours, go to the nearest urgent care or emergency room and let us know as soon as you are able. When in doubt, call. We would always rather hear from you.

FAQ

Your questions, answered

We’ve answered some of the most common questions below to help make your experience simple, transparent, and stress-free.

Redness usually lasts one to five days and swelling one to two days. For three to ten days you may see faint bronzed specks and skin that feels like fine sandpaper as treated tissue sheds. Mineral makeup is usually fine after two to three days. There is no open wound to care for.

How much downtime is there after ResurFX?

Most plans are three to five sessions spaced about four to six weeks apart. Stretch marks are spaced further, six to eight weeks, and need more patience. Your provider sets the plan at consultation based on the area and what you want to change.

How many ResurFX sessions will I need?

Results build gradually because collagen takes months to rebuild. Texture keeps improving after each session and for months after your last one, so the full result shows after the series, not after the first visit.

When will I see results from ResurFX?

ResurFX is not done over an active infection, cold sore or inflamed skin, over tattoos or permanent dermal implants, or on tanned skin. Wait four to six weeks after sun exposure, six months after isotretinoin, and about six weeks to three months after Botox or filler in the area. Deeper skin tones start with a test spot.