CO2 Fractional Laser
The fractional carbon dioxide laser (C02) removes the layers of tissue from the skin by a fractional method (the skin columns are removed, leaving the skin around each column intact to help heal) to help reduce the ” age spots “(also called solar freckles). liver spots and lentigines), fine lines, wrinkles, scars, uneven coloration, skin laxity, texture irregularities, dull tone and a thin layer of collagen on the face, neck and chest.
CO2 is the best treatment if you want to get the best results with just one treatment. If you have the ability to take some time to heal (7-14 days), having this one treatment is like having several other non-invasive treatments at the same time. It is also the best treatment for advanced skin damage and wrinkles.
The CO2 laser is a procedure in the office that requires medication before and after treatment to ensure adequate healing and comfort during the procedure. The discomfort varies according to the depth of the treatment. For your convenience during treatment, we can apply a topical anesthetic or inject local anesthesia and / or tumescent anesthesia and prescribe sedative medications to reduce discomfort. After treatment, most patients describe the post-procedure sensation as a severe sunburn for approximately 12 hours to 2 days. Please also follow the instructions for all other pain medications prescribed after the treatment. We also recommend medications for pain or relaxation before treatment,
Normally a laser treatment is recommended. Occasionally, in an area that can not be treated aggressively, we may have to do more than one treatment to optimize the results. Maintenance treatments may also be necessary to maintain results, especially if the sun is not avoided or proper skin care is used. Occasionally, even with the best care, another treatment may be necessary in a few years (in the area around the eyes, it may only be 1 to 2 years).
How Can I Know If I Need CO2 Laser?
Anyone who has suffered sun damage, aged skin, irregularly pigmented skin, wrinkles, sagging, irregular skin texture or other skin condition that can be expected to improve with this treatment that includes risks, costs and time necessary to achieve the full benefit. of the procedure and who has realistic expectations of the final result.
This is not a good treatment for colored skin. The reason is that this is an aggressive treatment that results in a prolonged healing of the surface. Pigmented skin tends to heal with hyperpigmentation and that happens with this procedure more than 30% of the time. It can take many months of topical treatments and, sometimes, additional laser treatments to correct this. If this treatment is going to be done on dark skin, it should be part of a series of milder treatments and not a single treatment.
It is also not a treatment for any pregnant woman or who has received treatment with isotretinoin (or Accutane) within 6 months. Also, if there is a condition that results in delayed or abnormal healing or a history of herpes labialis or herpes virus, it is important to inform your doctor in the pre-treatment stage to avoid complications.
Can It Be Combined With Other Treatments?
The CO2 laser can be combined with other treatments, although we can not do other treatments in the same area (s) treated on the same day. Many choose to have wrinkle relaxers such as BOTOX Cosmetic, Dysport or Xeomin to reduce unwanted wrinkles caused by muscle contraction, in addition to dermal fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm and Belotero to fill and fill areas where volume has been lost, such as cheeks. Nasolabial folds, lower eyelids and lips. We can recommend botulinum toxin 2 weeks before treatment, as studies have shown that this can increase the effect on wrinkles caused by movement, but we usually wait a month before or after fillers.
