CoolPeel Recovery
Your guide after a full CoolPeel CO2 laser treatment. Plan on 5 to 7 days of downtime. Here’s what each day looks like so nothing catches you off guard.
The first few hours
Expect strong sunburn-like redness, heat, and tightness. Swelling is normal and may increase overnight.
Use cool compresses for comfort, keep skin coated in your healing balm, and don’t wash until tonight.
What to expect, day by day
- Day 0
Hot, red, tight
Your skin feels like a sunburn and may stay warm for several hours.
- Cleanse gently tonight with lukewarm water and pat dry
- Reapply healing balm so skin never dries out
- Sleep with your head elevated on a clean pillowcase
- Days 1–2
Swollen and tight
Swelling is often highest on day 1 or 2, especially around the eyes. Redness and tightness continue, and skin starts to darken.
- Cleanse twice a day, then reapply balm
- Cool compresses help with swelling
- Stay out of the sun completely
- Days 3–5
Bronzing and sandpaper skin
Your skin turns bronze, brown, or looks dirty, and feels rough like sandpaper. Tiny dark dots and flaking start, often around the mouth and nose first.
- Keep skin moisturized
- Let it shed on its own
- Itching is normal; a cool compress helps
- Days 5–7
Shedding and fresh skin
The bronzed layer flakes off and reveals new, smooth skin underneath. It will look pink, like a fresh glow.
- Weeks 2–4
Pink fades
Pinkness fades over 2 to 4 weeks. Protect your new skin from the sun while it settles.
- Months 1–3
Results build
Collagen keeps rebuilding, so tone, texture, pores, and fine lines keep improving for about 3 months.
Do & don’t
Do
- Keep skin moisturized with your balm until shedding ends
- Use only a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water
- Avoid the sun completely the first week, then use mineral SPF 30+ daily
- Wear a wide-brim hat outdoors
- Sleep elevated the first 2 nights
- Finish any prescribed medication as directed
Don’t
- Pick, scrub, or peel bronzed or flaking skin
- Use retinol, acids, vitamin C, or acne products for 10–14 days
- Work out or sweat for 72 hours
- Use hot tubs, saunas, or pools for 1 week
- Wear makeup until shedding is finished
- Tan or sit in direct sun for 4–6 weeks
When can I…
| Wear makeup | Once shedding ends (about day 7) |
| Work out or sweat | After 72 hours |
| Swim, sauna, hot tub | After 7 days |
| Restart retinol, acids, vitamin C | After 10–14 days |
| Wax or thread | After 2 weeks |
| See full results | About 3 months |
Call us if you notice
- Pain, swelling, or redness that gets worse after day 3
- Oozing, yellow or honey-colored crusting, or pus
- Blisters or open sores
- Fever or chills
- A cold sore or clusters of small blisters
- Itching with a rash or hives
- White or very dark patches
Healing is part of the result. You’re right on track.
Bocaba Medical Spa · 8371 South State Street, Suite 102, Sandy, UT · Follow any specific instructions your provider gave you.