CO2 Fractional Resurfacing
The CO2 laser is the gold standard for laser skin resurfacing in order to treat the effects of facial skin ageing. The latest laser technology, the fractional CO2 laser, offers many benefits of a full CO2 laser, with a fraction on the downtime. The laser is used to treat the effects of sun damage on the skin as well as facial skin ageing. The laser can provide skin tightening, is used to treat dyschromia (brown spots and skin discoloration), even out the skin tone and colour, remove fine lines and wrinkles, and to reduce the size of large pores.
The benefits:
- Skin tightening
- Immediate shrinkage of damaged skin
- Improves overall texture and tone
- Wrinkle reduction
- Removal of age and sun spots
- Acne scarring
- Minimal downtime
- New collagen production for up to one year post treatment
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is fractional CO2 ?
CO2 is a Carbon Dioxide laser that has been used for more than 25 years in the Aesthetic industry for the treatment of conditions such as fine and deep wrinkles, scars of various origin, uneven pigmentation and dilated pores. When the CO2 beam of light comes in contact with the epidermis it heats and vaporises the skin tissue, instantly removing the superficial layers of the skin, scars and wrinkles while smoothing out the surface of the skin. The skin remodeling occurs with new skin and collagen growth.
How does it work?
CO2 Fractional Laser enables the doctor more control to regulate the depth of penetration and the amount of heat delivered by the beam. The high speed scanner, driven by a patented pending algorithm divides the treatment area into four quadrants or “fractions” and skips the beam from quadrant to quadrant so that each strike is separated by the longest possible interval. This process is repeated until the entire area is treated. Dividing energy this way allows maximum time for thermal cooling of the tissue, less pain for the patient and faster recovery. Compared to traditional resurfacing of the past, this is a big step in technology for the patient and the physician.
Does it hurt?
The treatment is painful. However, to minimise the discomfort we apply topical anaesthetic cream to the area an hour before the treatment. The discomfort is similar to bad sunburn and usually stings for a few hours post treatment.
What are the risks?
Erythema (redness of the skin): the laser treated areas have a distinctive redness representing increased blood flow due to the growth of the superficial tissue and collagen. It will gradually fade during the first few days.
Inflammation (swelling): treatment with the Fractional CO2 presents a minimal amount of swelling that can last up to 24 hours.
Hyperpigmentation (tanning): this is presented after the third day of the procedure but then begins to shed and reveal younger healthier looking skin.
Your doctor will consult you and a clinical examination will be conducted to obtain relevant facts about your medical and skin history. Medication that you are currently taking or have taken in the past will also be discussed. You will also be given a script to begin anti-viral tablets before and after your laser treatment. This is to prevent cold sores or fever blisters. Fractional laser treatments are proven to be safe on the face, neck, chest and hands.
How long is recovery?
Most patients are ready to go back to work the next day, but it depends on the patient and their lifestyle. Typical downtime is 4 to 5 days.
What is the recovery like?
The patient is red and can be swollen the day after. On the second, third and fourth day, the skin will peel and you may experience a little itchiness typical to a sunburn.
How should you look after your skin (post care)?
Transient skin erythema and edema may occur up to a few days after the treatment, but normally do not last longer. If you feel significant discomfort longer than that, cool/cold compresses (wet cold gauze) may be applied to relieve it. Gauze should be kept cold using cold saline solution. Post – treatment emollient cream may be applied over the treatment area.
On the night following treatment, patients should wash the treated area gently with lukewarm water and avoid hot water in these areas. The skin should be kept very clean to avoid infection; any mechanical or thermal damage to the area must be avoided.
Vaseline must be applied after each treatment until the skin has healed. Thereafter, moisturizer and sun block should be applied regularly. Make-up may be applied only 3-5 days after each treatment, if desired, unless an adverse event occurs in the area. Generally you may use regular soaps, but not scrub soaps or exfoliants. The patient should wait 1-2 days or until the scabs shed off before shaving. At the beginning of the treatment, the physician should review the patient’s routine skin care regimen and may suggest modifications if the patient uses products that are not recommended for use during the course of the treatment.
Tanning of any sort (sun exposure, tanning beds, and artificial sunless tanning lotions) is not allowed on the treated areas during the entire course of the treatment since it might cause hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin).
Apply a high factor sun block during the course of the treatment.
Do you need a check up?
You should return for follow up visits 4-7 days after treatment, 4-6 weeks and 12 weeks after treatment for evaluation of the treatment area. If you experience an adverse reaction, you need to contact Lasermed or the treating doctor immediately.
When do you see results?
You will see gradual improvement in the appearance of your skin immediately after the initial healing phase is complete in about 5 days. When we are doing the procedure you can immediately see the skin contract and shrink. The patient will really see the benefits by the time the skin has completely peeled and will continue to see results for up to six months with the new collagen regeneration that “plumps” up the skin. The results are long lasting.
Who is the best candidate for this procedure?
Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing is suitable for the young patient with severe acne scarring; the middle-aged patient with wrinkles and age spots; the older patient with wrinkles, age spots and pre-cancerous lesions.
How many treatments are needed?
In most cases only one, but for deep wrinkles and acne scarring two or more treatments may be necessary. The interval between treatments will be three months.