BEFORE: In the weeks leading up to Laser Resurfacing, your provider may ask you to stop tanning, avoid self-tanners, and wear SPF daily. You might pause strong acids, scrubs, and retinoids for a set time so skin is calm and less likely to sting. If you get cold sores, ask about prevention steps. Share any history of keloid scars or slow healing. Arrive with clean skin and skip heavy makeup. Plan for simple, gentle products at home, plus a wide-brim hat for errands. Because sun is intense in Miami, FL, try to book when you can limit outdoor time and keep heat and sweat low.

DURING: The visit usually starts with cleansing and a careful skin check. Many treatments use a numbing cream or cooling air to keep you comfortable. You may feel quick snaps, warmth, or a prickly heat as the laser passes. Your provider works in small sections and adjusts settings based on your response. Some deeper options create more heat and can feel intense for short bursts, but breaks and cooling help. You may notice a mild smell as the laser meets surface skin; this is normal. The full session time varies by area, yet most people are in and out within a normal appointment window. When it’s done, soothing balm is placed to calm the surface.

AFTER: Expect redness that can look like a sunburn, plus swelling in the first day or two. Depending on depth, you may also see bronzing, tiny dark dots, or light peeling as old skin lifts away. Skin can feel dry and tight, so staying moisturized matters. Keep the area clean, avoid scrubbing, and moisturize often. Skip pools, saunas, hot workouts, and direct sun until your provider says it’s safe. Use SPF every single day, even in the car, to help prevent dark marks. Sleep on a clean pillowcase and avoid face rubbing. Healing happens in stages, and the best changes—smoother texture and a more even glow—often keep building for weeks.