Use gentle products, stay cool and give the skin time to settle.
Patient aftercare | Sydney
Pico Laser & BBL Aftercare Guide
Most people find recovery straightforward. Temporary warmth, pinkness, mild puffiness or darkening of treated spots can be part of the normal process before the skin settles.
A little variation is normal. Keep the skin cool, clean and moisturised, and follow the personalised advice supplied at your appointment if it differs from this general guide.
Follow the first-week plan
Simple care is usually all that is needed.
Selected brown spots may become darker and dry before lifting.
Resume active skincare one product at a time once skin feels normal.
Your first week
A simple recovery plan
Most avoidable problems arise from excess heat, friction, picking or sun exposure while the skin is reactive. A short routine is usually better than adding several new "healing" products.
Settle heat and irritation
- Use a clean cool compress for short periods if needed.
- Cleanse gently with lukewarm water and clean fingertips.
- Apply a plain moisturiser that does not sting.
- Avoid hot showers, saunas, spas and strenuous exercise.
Protect the skin barrier
- Continue gentle cleanser, moisturiser and SPF 50+.
- Let darkened or dry pigment lift without picking.
- Keep retinoids, acids, scrubs and strong vitamin C paused.
- Avoid waxing, pools and spas until the surface is calm.
Return gradually
- Restart one active skincare product at a time.
- Pause again if a product stings or renews redness.
- Continue daily light protection to reduce pigment rebound.
- Wait for review before judging or repeating treatment.
Treatment-specific recovery
Pico and BBL do not heal identically
Both treatments can cause temporary warmth, redness and swelling. The visible pattern depends on the target, treatment intensity, skin type and area treated.
Pico laser aftercare
Recovery depends on what was targeted
A light revitalisation session may leave temporary pinkness. Focused pigment treatment can make individual spots darker, dry or lightly crusted.
First evening
Warmth, pinkness, prickling or mild puffiness may occur. Use gentle skincare and avoid pressure or rubbing.
Days 1 to 3
Redness from a light treatment should be settling. Treated pigment may look deeper brown or grey and slightly dry.
Days 4 to 7
Dry surface pigment may begin to release. Normal cleansing can loosen it gradually; exfoliation should not.
Important distinction
Tattoo removal can cause a stronger reaction, including swelling or blistering, and requires the separate instructions supplied after treatment.
Sciton BBL aftercare
Brown spots often look darker first
BBL is filtered BroadBand Light rather than a laser. Superficial freckles and sun spots may become more visible before drying and flaking.
First 12 hours
The skin can feel sunburn-warm and appear flushed. Mild facial puffiness may develop, especially around the cheeks.
Days 1 to 3
Pinkness should improve while brown targets become darker and more defined. Do not add exfoliation to remove them.
Days 4 to 7
Darkened pigment may look dry or finely speckled before it flakes. The chest, hands and body can take longer than the face.
Days 7 to 14
Continue avoiding direct sun. Resume stronger skincare only when the area has no heat, crusting, peeling or unusual sensitivity.
Melasma needs extra caution. It does not behave like a simple freckle. Heat, inflammation, hormones and light can contribute to recurrence, so follow the pigment-control plan supplied for your skin.
Back to summary
Skincare and daily activity
What helps and what can wait
Use products your skin already tolerates. The recovery period is not the time to trial a new mask, peel, oil, scrub or home treatment device.
Do
- Wash with clean hands, lukewarm water and gentle cleanser.
- Pat dry with a clean soft towel.
- Moisturise whenever the skin feels dry or tight.
- Use broad-spectrum SPF 50+ every morning.
- Add shade, a broad-brimmed hat and protective clothing.
Avoid until healed
- Picking, peeling, rubbing and grainy scrubs.
- Retinoids, AHAs, BHAs and strong low-pH vitamin C.
- Hot showers, steam rooms, spas and heavy sweating.
- Waxing, depilatory creams, peels and home light devices.
- Swimming while the surface is broken, weeping or blistered.
Makeup depends on skin integrity. It may be used when the surface is intact and significant heat or irritation has settled. Do not cover blistered, weeping or broken skin.
Back to summary
The habit that matters most
Treat recovering skin as light-sensitive
Sun protection is part of aftercare
Use broad-spectrum SPF 50+ every morning, reapply with ongoing daylight exposure and reduce direct sun. This is particularly important if you are prone to melasma or post-inflammatory darkening.
A 2024 pigment-laser study found that outdoor activity during the middle of the day was associated with a higher risk of post-treatment hyperpigmentation. It involved Q-switched laser rather than PicoSure or BBL, so it supports careful light management rather than proving a device-specific rule.
Clear answers
Pico laser and BBL aftercare FAQs
Can I wash my face after Pico laser or BBL?
Unless different instructions were supplied, cleanse with clean hands, lukewarm water and a gentle non-exfoliating cleanser. Pat dry without rubbing.
Why do brown spots look darker after treatment?
Selected superficial pigment can temporarily darken after Pico laser or BBL, then become dry and lift as the skin recovers. Do not scrub, pick or peel it.
When can I wear makeup?
Light makeup is generally suitable once the treated surface is fully closed, comfortable and no longer noticeably hot. Wait longer over any area that remains raw, blistered or weeping.
When can I exercise after Pico laser or BBL?
Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy sweating, saunas and hot spas while the skin remains hot, red, swollen or tender. Resume according to your treatment response and individual instructions.
When can I restart retinol, acids and vitamin C?
Wait until there is no heat, stinging, peeling, crusting or unusual sensitivity. Restart one active product at a time and pause again if irritation returns.
Can I put ice directly on treated skin?
No. Use a cool compress or cold pack wrapped in a clean soft cloth. Do not place ice directly on the skin or press firmly.
Which sunscreen should I use after treatment?
Use a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen that does not sting the recovering skin. Reapply with ongoing daylight exposure and add shade, a hat and protective clothing.
Is mild swelling normal after Pico laser or BBL?
Mild puffiness can occur, particularly around the cheeks or under-eye area. It usually settles as the skin cools. A cool compress and sleeping with the head slightly elevated may improve comfort.
Uncommon reactions
When to contact the clinic promptly
Most Pico and BBL recoveries are mild and settle with simple care. The signs listed here are not part of the usual recovery pattern and should be reviewed.
Contact Medical Aesthetics 360
1300 338 307
- Blistering, broken or weeping skin
- Pain that is increasing rather than easing
- Rapidly worsening or one-sided swelling
- Spreading redness, discharge, pus or fever
- Eye pain, vision change or marked eyelid swelling
- A cold-sore outbreak around the treatment area
- Darkening beyond the intended treatment spots
- Pale, grey or dusky skin that looks unusual
Take clear photographs in natural light where possible. Early clinical advice can make an unexpected reaction easier to manage.