Initial healing for most plastic surgery as well as laser skin resurfacing procedures occurs over the first 7 days. At that time sutures are removed and the skin barrier (outer protective layer) has been restored. One week is the minimum amount of time that patients should stay in the area; staying another 3 – 4 days or even 1 week longer is preferable to ensure that wound healing has been optimized and to better guide resumption of normal activities.