As we age, our skin inevitably develops fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, hyperpigmentation and other textural changes. Fractionated Carbon Dioxide (CO2) laser is one of the best advancements in laser resurfacing technology, it remodels the epidermis, stimulates collagen, rejuvenates tissue and removes uneven pigmentation. Fractionation allows for more speedy recovery times.
CO2 laser is a safe, non-invasive, CIT (Collagen Induction-Therapy) that effectively repairs and restores the skin. It decreases fine lines, pore size, coarse wrinkles, brown spots, blotchy pigmentation and tightens the skin. In as little as two treatments, younger, radiant, and more uniformed skin coloration is possible with CO2 laser. It is an excellent treatment for acne scarring and smoothing of skin surface imperfections. CO2 is great for repair and rejuvenation of the hands.
Procedures Performed with CO2 laser
- Skin Tightening
- Crow's feet
- Vertical lip lines around the mouth
- Skin Resurfacing
- Acne Scar Reduction
- Age spots
- Brown spots
- Dull skin
- Surgical or burn scars
- Sun spots
- Actinic keratosis
- Diminishes wrinkles & large open pores
- Hand Repair & Restoration
- Skin Tag, Mole removal
CO2 laser can be used in combination with several different treatments. For example, it can be used with fillers and neurotoxin treatments to achieve a more balanced rejuvenated look.
How does Fractionated CO2 laser work?
Fractionate CO2 laser disburses gentle beams of infrared light. It “fractionates” or breaks up the beams, hitting the skin in a pixelated pattern, creating columns that receive a dose of light while others go untouched. These shafts of light penetrate through the epidermis and introduce heat into the sub-dermal layers of the skin. This heat causes skin cells to reproduce more rapidly thus stimulating collagen
What to Expect During CO2 Treatment
Before the treatment, we provide a thorough consultation to understand the patient’s concerns and expectations. The treatment is started, by applying topical anesthesia to numb the area.
Once numb and comfortable, a combination of treatment settings specifically tailored to your skin type and degree of rejuvenation will be used. Treatment times vary but on average, expect between 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the technique used and the size of the area.
After treatment, most clients experience redness and mild swelling. An ointment, such as petroleum jelly is applied to the treated area, to prevent scabs from forming. Downtime is minimal, typically lasting for about 5 days for the average client.
Results
Over the course of 3-5 days, the old damaged skin will begin to come off and light flaking will continue for up to 10 days.
Although skin may look tighter and smoother after a week, final results are typically seen at 3-6 months later as it takes time for new collagen to synthesize.
Side Effects/ Complications
Post treatment discomfort, swelling, redness, and bruising may occur. This is transient and typically last for about 3 – 5 days. Those with darker skin types may have some risks of pigmentation disturbances. In rare cases, clients may experience an allergic reaction. Occasional numbness of the forehead lasting up to 2-3 weeks may occur.
CO2 Laser - Before/After
