A doctor’s perspective · English edition
The first 72 hours after a laser treatment: what should you ask before you leave the clinic?
Only the clinic that treated you can say what to expect. Leave with that in writing.
Dr. Seung Woo JangPhysician in Aesthetic Medicine5 min read · Sources includedReviewed by Dr. Kwang Yeon Kim and Dr. Seung Yeon Cha
The short answer
The first 72 hours after a laser treatment: what should you ask before you leave the clinic?
Ask the clinic that treated you to write down four things before you leave: which reactions they expect for your skin and for how many days, how to care for the treated area, what to avoid and for how long, and which signs mean you should contact them rather than wait. Ask who answers outside opening hours and in which language. Public dermatology sources describe reactions after particular procedures, but what applies to you depends on the device, the settings and your skin, so the clinic's own written instructions are the reference. For a medical emergency in Korea, call 119.
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Why the answer has to come from your own clinic.
Public sources describe reactions procedure by procedure, not as one shared picture. The American Academy of Dermatology describes redness and swelling after laser hair removal that often looks like a mild sunburn. DermNet describes a mild-sunburn sensation after intense pulsed light, with redness, peeling or swelling for a few days. For acne scar treatments the Academy notes that swelling or discolouration typically goes away in a few days.
Other devices are described differently again. DermNet lists pinpoint bleeding, crusting and blistering among possible side effects of picosecond lasers, as well as darker or lighter patches. Because the descriptions differ by device, settings and skin, ask the clinician who treated you what they expect in your case, and ask for the answer in writing before you leave.
American Academy of DermatologyDermNetAmerican Academy of DermatologyDermNetWhat the written instructions should cover.
Aftercare is written for one patient at a time. The Academy's acne scar guidance says the dermatologist gives instructions for your skin, may recommend specific products because treated skin can be sensitive, and may ask you to stop wearing makeup for a few days. Its chemical peel guidance says that rubbing or scratching treated skin can lead to infection, and that applying makeup before the skin heals raises the risk of infection and scarring. Both are reasons to have your own version of those instructions in hand rather than a general one.
Sun protection is worth asking about by name. The Academy's laser hair removal guidance says to keep direct sunlight off treated skin, and its general sunscreen page describes a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 or higher reapplied every two hours and after sweating. Ask the clinic which product and which timing they want for your treatment, then check your plans for the next days against that answer.
- Ask how the treated area should be cleaned, and write the answer down.
- Ask whether crusting or flaking is expected, and what they want you to do if it appears.
- Ask when makeup and your usual products can go back on.
- Ask which sun protection they want, and for how long.
- Ask for the sheet in a language you read, or photograph it and have it translated.
Ask them to write down when to contact them.
Do not leave this to your own judgement or to a general article. Ask the clinician to write down which changes they want to hear about, how soon they want to hear about them, and through which channel. Ask what they want you to send, since some clinics ask for a photograph. Keep the treatment date and the device name with those instructions so whoever answers knows what you had.
Ask for contacts that work outside opening hours. For a medical emergency in Korea, call 119. The Korea Travel Hotline 1330 covers several languages including English, Japanese and Chinese. Korea Tourism Organization guidance notes that hospital international health care centres are mostly open on weekdays with limited or no weekend hours, which is a reason to have the clinic's own after-hours number before you leave.
Korea Tourism OrganizationBefore you leave the clinic
What travelers ask
The questions behind the search.
Ask the clinician whether redness is among the reactions they expect for your treatment, and for how many days. The Academy describes redness and swelling that often look like a mild sunburn after laser hair removal specifically, which is one procedure and may not describe yours.
Official guidanceAsk whether crusting or flaking is expected and what they want you to do if it appears. The Academy's chemical peel guidance says rubbing or scratching treated skin can lead to infection, which is why this belongs in instructions written for your procedure.
Official guidanceAsk the clinic for a date rather than assuming one. The Academy's chemical peel guidance says applying makeup before the skin has healed raises the risk of infection and scarring, and after acne scar treatments dermatologists may ask patients to stop makeup for a few days.
Official guidanceThe clinic's after-hours contact, which you should have before you leave. For an emergency call 119; the 1330 travel hotline can help with language.
Official guidanceBring these with you
Questions to ask at your consultation
Pick the questions you want to raise, then save them or open them in text translation.
Want to ask about this guide?
Send a message on WhatsApp. It opens with this guide’s title so the reply can start from it. Please don’t send medical records or photos.
Message on WhatsAppOpens WhatsApp. A message is not a medical consultation or diagnosis.
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Dr. Seung Woo Jang
Physician in Aesthetic Medicine
A doctor’s perspective on what to understand and ask before choosing care in Korea.
Author profileSources & further reading
Checked September 18, 2026. Official sources describe rules and services as published; confirm current details with the provider before you rely on them.
- American Academy of DermatologyLaser hair removal: FAQs A numbing gel takes about 30 to 60 minutes to work; pulses often feel like warm pinpricks or a snapped rubber band; redness and swelling afterwards often look like a mild sunburn; avoid direct sunlight on treated skin and indoor tanning.
- DermNetIntense pulsed light therapy (IPL, flashlamp) Published 2005 · IPL delivers many wavelengths in each pulse instead of one; a course of 4 to 6 sessions every 3 to 6 weeks may be needed; a mild-sunburn sensation with redness, peeling or swelling for a few days; avoid sun in the days and weeks before and after.
- DermNetPicosecond laser Published 2018-09 · Pulse durations of less than 1 nanosecond, compared with nanosecond Q-switched lasers; used mainly for tattoos and also for pigment concerns; listed side effects include redness, swelling, pinpoint bleeding, crusting, blistering, scarring and darker or lighter patches.
- American Academy of DermatologyAcne scars: How to care for your skin after treatment Individualized aftercare instructions; treated skin can be sensitive and specific products may be recommended; makeup may be stopped for a few days; swelling or discolouration typically goes in a few days; daily broad-spectrum SPF 30+ water-resistant sunscreen; limit daytime time outdoors for 6 to 8 weeks; treatment is rarely one and done.
- American Academy of DermatologyChemical peels: FAQs Rubbing or scratching treated skin can cause infection; applying makeup before the skin heals, skipping sun protection or not caring for the skin as instructed raises the risk of infection and scarring.
- American Academy of DermatologyHow to apply sunscreen SPF 30 or higher, water resistant, broad spectrum; apply about 15 minutes before going out; reapply every two hours and immediately after swimming or sweating; protection matters on cloudy and winter days.
- Korea Tourism OrganizationEmergency situations 119 fire and medical emergencies; 1339 infectious-disease emergencies; 1330 travel hotline in Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai and Indonesian; hospital international health care centres mostly open weekdays with limited or no weekend hours.