Every morning
Cleanse → moisturise → protect
- Gently cleanse with lukewarm water.
- Pat dry and apply plain moisturiser.
- Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 50+ to intact skin.
- Use a hat, clothing and shade outdoors.
Skip to aftercare instructions
Pico laser & BBL
Medical Aesthetics 360 · Patient aftercare
Pico laser & BBL
aftercare guide
Keep skin cool. Keep care simple.
Protect it from the sun.
Step-by-step care after non-ablative Pico pigment treatment or Sciton BBL. For ablative resurfacing, see our separate aftercare guide. Tattoo removal needs different wound care.
Blisters, increasing pain or worsening swelling? See when to get help ↓ Eye pain or vision changes need urgent assessment.
01 / Today
Your first 24 hours
Start here after non-ablative Pico pigment treatment or BBL. Keep the routine short and gentle.
- Cool the skin gently.
Place a clean, cool damp cloth over the area for short intervals if it feels warm. Lift it off between applications. Do not put ice directly on the skin or press firmly.
- Wash gently. Pat dry.
Use clean fingertips, lukewarm water and a mild, non-exfoliating cleanser. Do not scrub or use a cleansing brush. Pat with a clean, soft towel.
- Apply a plain moisturiser.
Choose a fragrance-free product you already tolerate. Reapply when the skin feels dry or tight. If it stings, stop using it.
- Protect from sunlight.
On intact skin, apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 50+ sunscreen. Add a broad-brimmed hat, clothing and shade. Avoid direct sun on the treated area. See how to apply and reapply sunscreen ↓
- Pause heat, friction and strong skincare.
Avoid hot showers, strenuous exercise, heavy sweating, saunas and spas while the skin is healing. Keep retinol, exfoliating acids, scrubs and home skin devices off the treated area.
Do not pick, rub or peel darkened spots.
Let dry pigment release by itself. Blisters, raw areas or increasing pain need same-day advice ↓.
Guidance: Sciton BBL post-care [1] · Cynosure PicoSure care [7] · Cancer Council sunscreen guidance [2].
02 / Days 2–7
A simple morning & evening routine
Repeat this routine during the first week, and for longer if the skin is still peeling, crusted, warm or sensitive.
Every evening
Cleanse → moisturise
- Gently remove sunscreen and any makeup.
- Pat dry without rubbing.
- Apply plain moisturiser.
- Leave flakes and darkened spots alone.
SPF 50+ is part of your aftercare
- Apply generously 20 minutes before going outside. Use about one teaspoon for the face, neck and ears combined; cover other exposed skin too.
- Reapply every two hours outdoors, and after sweating, swimming or towel drying. This reapplication rule is not a reason to swim before the skin has healed.
- Avoid direct sun on the treated area for at least 14 days after BBL. Keep up daily protection after recovery. Do not deliberately tan.
If the surface is raw, blistered or weeping, keep sunscreen and makeup off that area and use shade and clothing while arranging same-day assessment.
Melasma or a tendency to dark marks?
Once the surface is intact and comfortable, a tinted sunscreen containing iron oxides can add protection from visible light. Continue hats and shade; sunscreen does not block all light. Learn about melasma care ↗
Guidance: Sciton [1] · Cancer Council [2] · AAD melasma care [3].
03 / When to restart
When can I restart?
Use the condition of your skin to decide. A calendar date alone does not mean the area has healed.
The skin is ready when all of these are true:
The surface is fully closed. There are no blisters, weeping, crusts or active peeling. Heat, swelling, tenderness and unusual stinging have settled.
| Product or activity | What to do |
|---|---|
| Makeup | Use only when the surface is intact and comfortable, with no heat or irritation. Use clean applicators and remove gently. Do not cover raw, blistered or weeping skin. |
| Exercise | Pause strenuous exercise and heavy sweating until the skin has healed and is no longer hot, swollen or tender. Restart gently; stop if heat or stinging returns. |
| Retinol, acids & vitamin C | Wait until the skin meets every healing sign above. Restart one active product at a time, less often at first. Stop if stinging, redness or peeling returns. Do not use exfoliation to remove treated pigment. |
| Swimming, spas & saunas | Avoid during healing. Do not enter pools or spas with any broken skin, blisters, crusting or weeping. Avoid heat while the area is still reactive. |
| Shaving & hair removal | Shave only when it will not rub or irritate the area. Wait for complete healing before waxing or using depilatory creams. Leave crusts undisturbed. |
| Peels, microneedling & home devices | Do not use on recovering skin. Arrange a review before another procedure on the treated area so its timing can be assessed. |
These are conservative, healing-based restart rules. Exact day counts are not established for every device, setting and skin type. See Sciton’s healing precautions [1] and Cynosure’s product precautions [7].
04 / What to expect
What recovery can look like
Mild warmth, redness and puffiness can occur. They should trend towards improvement. Darkening limited to treated brown spots can be expected.
Pico laser
The target matters
- Early recovery
- A light session may cause temporary pinkness and mild puffiness. Focused pigment treatment can leave individual spots darker or lightly crusted.
- Over the following days
- Dry pigment may loosen gradually. Leave it alone and continue gentle care. Not every Pico treatment produces visible flaking.
- Recovery varies
- The setting, treatment mode, area and skin response matter more than a fixed “day 7” deadline.
Sciton BBL
Brown spots may darken first
- First hours
- A warm, sunburn-like feeling, flushing or mild swelling can occur.
- During the first week
- Treated brown spots may darken, look speckled and gradually flake. Do not speed this up with scrubs or acids.
- Face versus body
- Facial healing is often around a week. The chest, hands and other body areas can take longer. Continue gentle care until healed.
Dark spots and a burn are different.
Small, dry darkened treatment spots can be expected. Increasing pain, blisters, raw skin, spreading redness or unusual pale, grey or dusky areas need prompt assessment. Check the warning signs ↓
BBL is BroadBand Light, a form of intense pulsed light; it is not a laser. Sources: Sciton [1] · PicoSure manufacturer information [4].
05 / When to get help
Know when to get help
Do not wait for a routine follow-up if symptoms are worsening.
Contact the clinic the same day
- Blisters, broken or weeping skin.
- Pain or swelling that is increasing.
- Spreading redness, pus, discharge or fever.
- A new cold-sore outbreak near the treated area.
- Marked eyelid swelling.
- Unusual pale, grey or dusky areas, or darkening spreading beyond treated spots.
Call 1300 338 307. Describe when treatment took place and how the skin has changed. Take clear photos in natural light without filters if you can.
If the clinic is closed or you cannot reach us, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for 24-hour nurse advice. Do not wait for an online form reply when symptoms are worsening.
Urgent symptoms need urgent care
New vision changes, sudden loss of vision or severe eye pain: seek emergency assessment immediately.
Difficulty breathing, rapidly developing tongue or throat swelling, collapse or another life-threatening emergency: seek emergency medical help immediately.
While arranging assessment
Do not pop blisters, peel the skin or put strong skincare on the area. Avoid rubbing and sun exposure.
Guidance: Sciton [1] · healthdirect [5] · NSW Health eye emergencies [6] · NHS laser warning signs [8].
06 / Common questions
Quick answers
Find the next step without rereading the whole guide.
Can I wash my face on the day of treatment?
Yes, if the skin surface is intact. Use a mild cleanser, lukewarm water and clean fingertips. Pat dry gently. If the skin is blistered, raw or weeping, arrange same-day assessment.
Why do my brown spots look darker?
Treated superficial pigment can darken before it dries and lifts. Leave it alone. Darkening with increasing pain, blisters or changes spreading beyond the treatment spots needs prompt review.
Can I use ice?
Do not put ice directly on the skin. Use a clean cool damp cloth, or a cool pack wrapped in a soft clean cloth, for short intervals without firm pressure.
When can I use retinol or exfoliating acids again?
Wait until the surface is fully closed and heat, tenderness, peeling, crusting and unusual stinging have settled. Restart one active product at a time, less often at first. Use the restart guide above.
What if sunscreen or moisturiser stings?
Stop the product that stings. Keep the routine simple and use shade, a hat and clothing for protection. If even gentle products sting repeatedly, or the skin is raw, blistered or weeping, contact the clinic.
Is this guide also for tattoo removal or resurfacing?
This page covers non-ablative Pico pigment treatments and BBL on intact skin. For resurfacing, use our fractional Erbium:YAG and CO₂ aftercare guide. For tattoo removal, contact MA360 for the separate wound-care plan.