Laser · 6 min read
Your first laser treatment, week by week
What Luminous Renewal actually feels like, what your skin does in the days after, and when you'll see results.
Amara Brooks, RN · September 18, 2026
Most people book their first laser treatment with equal parts excitement and nerves. The good news: modern sub-ablative lasers are far gentler than their reputation, and knowing what to expect makes the whole experience calmer.
Two weeks before
Skip the sun, self-tanner and retinoids for the treatment area. If you've had cold sores before, ask us about a preventive antiviral. Arrive with clean skin — no makeup, no SPF on the face.
Treatment day
We start with skin mapping under polarized and UV light, then a test pulse. The cryo-cooled tip feels like a cold snap, and the laser pulse like a light rubber-band flick. A full-face Luminous Renewal pass takes about 25 minutes.
Days 1 to 7
Expect a flush for a few hours. Over the next week, sun spots darken and rise to the surface like fine coffee grounds before flaking away. Don't pick — let them shed. Use a gentle cleanser, a barrier cream and SPF 50 every day.
Weeks 4 to 12
Tone looks more even after the first session, but collagen takes time. By your third session, texture and fine lines continue to improve for up to three months as new collagen matures.
This article is educational and not a substitute for a medical consultation. Treatment suitability depends on your health history and skin examination.
