Expect bruising ("purpura") afterward. This is a sign that the treatment has effectively targeted red blood cells. Usually, the bruising takes about ten days to clear. Sometimes, small facial spider veins may be cleared in one or two treatments. Birthmarks, and particularly port wine stains, require repeated treatments. Hydrocortisone cream is applied in the office right away to reduce inflammation.

For patients with poikiloderma (redness of the neck), there are likely to be circular areas of demarcation, white circles highlighted by the surrounding ruddy skin color. These tend to blend together with repeated treatments.