Your guide to safe recovery and protecting your results.

Pico Laser and Carbon Laser are both laser-based treatments, however their treatment endpoints and recovery can differ.

Please follow the section that corresponds with the treatment you received.

PICO LASER AFTERCARE

Pigmentation • Skin Tone • Skin Clarity

Pico Laser delivers ultra-short pulses of energy to target selected pigmentation within the skin.

Following treatment, targeted pigment may temporarily become darker or more noticeable before it becomes lighter. This can be an expected treatment response.

Typical downtime: approximately 0–7 days, depending on the indication and treatment intensity.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER TREATMENT

It is normal to experience:

• Mild-to-moderate redness
• Warmth
• Mild swelling
• Sensitivity
• Temporary tingling
• Darkening of treated pigmentation
• Mild dryness
• Superficial crusting over specifically treated lesions

More targeted pigment treatments may create a more visible response than general Pico rejuvenation treatments.

FIRST 24 HOURS

Treat your skin gently.

Avoid unnecessary touching, rubbing or scratching.

Use a gentle skincare routine and avoid active ingredients.

If your skin feels warm or sensitive, avoid additional heat exposure.

CAN I WASH MY FACE?

Yes, once advised by your practitioner.

Use:

• Cool to lukewarm water
• A gentle cleanser
• Clean hands

Gently pat the skin dry.

Do not use:

• Scrubs
• Cleansing brushes
• Exfoliating cloths
• Hot water
• Exfoliating cleansers

DAYS 1–3

Redness and warmth generally begin to settle.

If pigmentation was specifically targeted, you may notice that the pigment becomes temporarily darker.

This does not necessarily mean the pigmentation has worsened.

The treated pigment may appear brown, grey, darker or slightly crusted before gradually clearing.

DAYS 3–7

Darkened pigment or superficial crusting may progressively begin to shed.

DO NOT PICK IT.

Do not:

• Scratch
• Peel
• Scrub
• Exfoliate
• Use acids to accelerate shedding

Allow the treated pigment to resolve naturally.

Premature removal may increase the risk of irritation, post-inflammatory pigmentation or scarring.

MAKEUP

If your treatment was light and the skin surface remains intact, makeup can generally be resumed once the skin is comfortable and your practitioner has advised it is appropriate.

Do not apply makeup over skin that is blistered, open, weeping or significantly crusted.

Always use clean brushes and applicators.

EXERCISE & HEAT

For approximately 24–48 hours, or while significant heat/redness remains, avoid:

• Strenuous exercise
• Excessive sweating
• Saunas
• Steam rooms
• Spa baths
• Very hot showers

ACTIVE SKINCARE

Temporarily discontinue potentially irritating products including:

• Retinol / retinoids
• AHAs
• BHAs
• Glycolic acid
• Salicylic acid
• Exfoliating pads
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Physical scrubs
• Strong or acidic vitamin C formulations

For lighter treatments, these may often be gradually reintroduced after several days once the skin is completely calm.

Following stronger pigment treatments, wait until all sensitivity and crusting have resolved.

If unsure, contact VÉU before restarting active skincare.

SUN PROTECTION — EXTREMELY IMPORTANT

Following Pico pigment treatment, strict photoprotection is essential.

UV exposure can contribute to pigmentation recurrence and post-inflammatory pigmentation.

Use broad-spectrum SPF 50+ every day and reapply appropriately.

Also:

• Avoid unnecessary direct sunlight
• Wear a hat outdoors
• Seek shade
• Do not intentionally tan

Sun protection should continue long after the visible recovery period has finished.

WHEN WILL I SEE RESULTS?

Some targeted pigment may appear darker before gradually lightening over the following days and weeks.

Pigmentation does not always disappear after one treatment.

Results depend on the type, depth and cause of pigmentation, and a course of treatments may be required.

Some pigmentation conditions can also recur.

CARBON LASER AFTERCARE

Clarify • Decongest • Refresh

Carbon Laser is a lighter laser treatment designed primarily for congestion, excess oil, visible pores, dullness and overall skin clarity.

A specialised carbon solution is applied to the skin before laser energy is passed across the treatment area.

Compared with more corrective laser treatments, Carbon Laser generally involves minimal visible downtime.

Typical downtime: approximately 0–1 day.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER TREATMENT

Your skin may appear:

• Mildly pink
• Slightly warm
• Fresh or flushed
• Temporarily sensitive
• Mildly dry

These effects generally settle relatively quickly.

FIRST 24 HOURS

Keep your skincare simple.

Use:

• Gentle cleanser
• Hydrating moisturiser
• SPF 50+

Avoid unnecessary exfoliation or active skincare immediately after treatment.

CAN I WASH MY FACE?

Yes, once advised following your treatment.

Use cool to lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser.

Avoid very hot water, facial scrubs and cleansing brushes.

MAKEUP

Most clients can return to makeup relatively quickly following Carbon Laser if the skin feels comfortable and there is no significant irritation.

If the skin remains red or sensitive, allow it more time before applying makeup.

Use clean brushes and applicators.

EXERCISE & HEAT

For the remainder of the day, avoid excessive heat if the skin remains warm or flushed.

Where possible, avoid:

• Strenuous exercise
• Heavy sweating
• Saunas
• Steam rooms
• Very hot showers

Normal activity can generally resume quickly once the skin feels settled.

ACTIVE SKINCARE

Avoid strong or irritating actives for approximately 24–48 hours, particularly if the skin remains sensitive.

This may include:

• Retinol
• AHAs / BHAs
• Exfoliating pads
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Physical scrubs
• Strong acidic vitamin C

Once the skin feels completely normal, your usual routine can generally be gradually resumed.

SUN PROTECTION

Apply broad-spectrum SPF 50+ daily.

Although Carbon Laser has minimal downtime, sun protection remains important for maintaining skin health and reducing unnecessary pigment stimulation.

WHAT SHOULD I USE?

For the first day or two, keep your routine simple:

MORNING

Gentle cleanser → Hydrating moisturiser → SPF 50+

EVENING

Gentle cleanser → Hydrating moisturiser

You do not need to add extra exfoliation after Carbon Laser.

PICO VS CARBON — KNOW WHICH AFTERCARE TO FOLLOW

IF YOU HAD PICO FOR PIGMENTATION

Expect the possibility of darkening, dryness or superficial crusting of treated pigment.

Do not pick it.

Sun protection is critical.

IF YOU HAD CARBON LASER

Expect little to no downtime.

Mild redness, warmth or sensitivity should generally settle relatively quickly.

Keep skincare gentle for the first 24–48 hours.

IF YOU HAD BOTH

Follow the Pico Laser aftercare instructions, as this is the more conservative recovery protocol.

WHAT NOT TO DO

Following either laser treatment:

• Do not pick or scratch
• Do not exfoliate recovering skin
• Do not intentionally tan
• Do not use at-home peels
• Do not use aggressive scrubs
• Do not undergo another advanced treatment until the skin has recovered
• Do not attempt to remove darkened pigment yourself

WHEN SHOULD I CONTACT VÉU?

Contact VÉU if you experience:

• Increasing rather than improving pain
• Significant or rapidly increasing swelling
• Unexpected blistering
• Extensive weeping or discharge
• Increasing heat or redness after the expected initial response
• Signs of infection
• A significant or rapidly worsening rash
• Unexpected pigmentation changes that concern you
• Any reaction you are unsure about

When contacting us, send clear photographs in natural lighting and include the date and type of laser treatment you received.

For severe symptoms or a medical emergency, seek urgent medical attention.

REMEMBER

PICO LASER

Pigment may get darker before it gets lighter. Do not pick it. Protect it from the sun.

CARBON LASER

Keep it simple for 24–48 hours. Hydrate. Protect. Don't over-exfoliate.

Your skin's response will depend on the treatment performed and its intensity.

If you're unsure about anything during recovery, contact VÉU before applying additional products or attempting to treat the area yourself.

VÉU SKIN CLINIC
Precision laser. Considered recovery.