Carbon Laser Face & Body: Treatment Advice & Aftercare
Updated: Oct 5
Before & After Your Carbon Laser Treatment
Please read this information before your appointment and keep it for reference afterwards. Carbon Laser can be used on the face and selected areas of the body to help improve oily or congested skin, enlarged-looking pores, dullness and uneven skin texture. The treatment combines a layer of carbon lotion with laser energy to exfoliate and cleanse the skin.
Before Your Treatment
To help us treat your skin safely and comfortably:
Avoid tanning and deliberate sun exposure before treatment and let us know if the area has recently been exposed to strong sun.
Do not use fake tan on the treatment area.
Avoid waxing, depilatory creams or other treatments that may irritate the area immediately before your appointment.
Arrive with the treatment area clean where possible, without fake tan, heavy skincare or body products.
Tell us about all medication, supplements and herbal remedies you are taking.
Let us know if your health, medication or skin has changed since your consultation.
Tell us if you have recently had another laser, peel, microneedling or other advanced treatment in the same area.
For facial treatments, topical retinoids may need to be stopped beforehand. The BMLA guidance specifically recommends stopping topical retinoids two weeks before laser treatment and restarting once the area has healed. BMLA
Is Carbon Laser Suitable for Everyone?
Most clients can be assessed for Carbon Laser, but there are circumstances where we may need to postpone treatment, alter your treatment plan or decide that another treatment would be more appropriate.
Please tell us before your appointment if you:
are pregnant or breastfeeding
have an active infection, cold sore, open wound or irritated/inflamed skin in the treatment area
have a history of cold sores if we're treating an area where they occur
have a condition that affects your skin healing or immune system
have a history of abnormal or keloid scarring
have vitiligo or another pigmentary condition
have recently undergone surgery or another advanced skin treatment in the area
are taking prescription medication, including medication for acne
are using prescription-strength retinoids
take medication or herbal remedies that may affect your response to light or your skin's ability to heal
have recently undergone photodynamic therapy (PDT).
Medication & Laser Treatment
Please do not stop prescribed medication without speaking to the healthcare professional who prescribed it.
Some medicines can affect the way your skin responds to laser treatment or how well it heals. Please give us an up-to-date list of prescription medicines, over-the-counter medication, supplements and herbal remedies so we can assess whether treatment is appropriate.
What to Expect After Your Treatment
Carbon Laser usually has relatively little downtime. Your skin may look slightly pink or feel warm or sensitive immediately afterwards. Published carbon-peel studies have reported mild temporary erythema/redness, rather than significant downtime.
Depending on the area treated and your individual skin response, this should gradually settle.
Your skin may initially feel smoother and look brighter, while improvements in concerns such as congestion, oiliness and texture generally require a course of treatments rather than relying on one session.
Aftercare
For the first few days after your Carbon Laser treatment:
Treat the area gently and avoid picking, scratching or exfoliating it.
Use a gentle cleanser and moisturiser.
Avoid scrubs, exfoliating acids, retinoids and other potentially irritating active skincare until the skin feels completely settled.
Avoid excessive heat and activities that leave the skin very hot or flushed immediately following treatment.
Avoid further advanced skin treatments on the area until it has recovered.
Protect exposed treated skin from the sun.
On facial or other exposed areas, use a broad-spectrum SPF 30–50 daily.
Do not deliberately tan the treated area.
Sun protection is particularly important following laser procedures; published energy-based-device guidance recommends sun avoidance/protection following Q-switched laser treatment.
For a body area:
Keep the area clean and avoid friction, tight clothing or heavily fragranced body products if the skin feels sensitive following treatment.
When Should I Contact the Clinic?
Mild warmth, sensitivity or redness can occur following treatment.
Please contact Eco Skin Clinic if you experience a reaction that is more significant than expected or you're concerned about how your skin is healing.
Seek appropriate medical advice if you experience severe or worsening pain, significant blistering, signs of infection or another unexpected reaction.
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