The treated area may swell somewhat. This is caused by the heat from the lasers energy, and represents inflammation, not infection. It is a normal and expected part of the healing process. The crust which may form is also normal and expected. It means that your body is healing. As you keep the crust moist with antibiotic ointment, this will not interfere in any way with healing. The same is true if a scab forms. Crusts and scabs do not mean the area will scar. The purpura (red/purple color) you see in some treated areas will last 5-10 days, although it sometimes lasts a bit longer before it goes away. When it goes away, you may still be able to see the treated vessels. The body gradually continues the fading process for several weeks, so that final results will not be seen until 6 to 8 weeks after your treatment. The vein has a bruised appearance for anywhere between 2-4 weeks. The body slowly reabsorbs the blood.

With any laser therapy there is a possibility for adverse effects. The following are adverse effects that may occur with the GentleLASE Laser: 1. The treated area may hyper-pigment, or appear darker after the bruising/red discoloration heals. Normal skin color usually returns within 6 months after laser therapy. 2. Scarring is a risk with the use of any laser. The GentleLASE has had no reported incidence of scarring. If the post-treatment skin care instructions are not followed, this can increase the chance of scarring. 3. The treated area may show a slight depression after the laser treatments. This depression usually resolves within a few months.

Learn more about how to take care of your treated area after treatment.