Years of sun exposure cause much of the damage to your skin, resulting in wrinkles, age spots, and a rough, leathery appearance. Fortunately, CO2 laser skin resurfacing provides a solution for people. A CO2 laser resurfacing treatment is the best choice for women and men concerned about significant wrinkling and sun damage that require a more aggressive laser procedure. It’s ideally suited for patients with lighter skin tones who have skin discoloration. Advanced CO2 fractional laser machine technology enables laser practitioners to customize the intensity of treatments to suit each patient’s specific concerns. In many cases, a single CO2 laser treatment session produces the desired results.  

A CO2 laser machine for skin treatment delivers short, concentrated beams of a specific light wavelength, vaporizing the skin’s surface and targeting water molecules. At the same time, the laser penetrates deeper layers of skin to stimulate new collagen production. The results can be dramatic, with smoother, clearer skin replacing your rough, discolored skin.  

What Can You Expect Before and After CO2 Laser Treatment?

It’s important to avoid sun exposure for a month, both before and after your treatment, and apply sunscreen daily. A CO2 laser treatment is an outpatient procedure, which means you’ll return home the same day. Depending on the procedure’s intensity and the size of the treatment area, the dermatologist will either numb the area with a local anesthetic or use a general anesthetic.  

Because the CO2 laser removes the skin’s top layer, it can take time for the treatment area to heal. During the first 24 hours after the procedure, you will apply a non-stick dressing to the treated area. Your practitioner will provide detailed wound care instructions, and you should closely follow them. You can expect swelling, scabbing, oozing, peeling, and redness during the initial recovery period. Your practitioner may recommend taking an antibiotic medication before and after the treatment to minimize the risk of infection.  

What Should you Look for in a CO2 Laser Practitioner?

The treatment should be performed by a registered nurse (RN) or physician trained to operate a laser. Different treatment choices must be made for each patient. Side effects such as skin discoloration can result if an inexperienced practitioner operates the laser.

Benefits CO2 Laser Resurfacing

For patients with moderate to severe aging or sun damage, CO2 laser resurfacing can improve the look and quality of the skin. Among some of the many benefits of CO2 laser resurfacing include:

*Reduces and treats sun damaged skin.

*Addresses acne scars.

*Improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

*Promotes a more even skin tone and complexion.

*Smoothes skin texture.

*Can firm and tighten skin.

*Increases overall collagen production (often for a few months following surgery).

*Skin improvements are typically long lasting.

*Combinable with a facelift and other plastic surgeries.

*Customizable settings to suit different skin types and concerns.

Before & After CO2 Laser Resurfacing

Before undergoing CO2 laser resurfacing, you will meet with dermatologist to discuss your concerns and goals. Following this, he may ask about aspects of your medical history and health such as previous surgeries, medical conditions, and if you smoke. At this point, he may conduct a brief exam of the skin in the treatment area to determine if you are a candidate for CO2 laser resurfacing.

If you are a good candidate, dermatologist will describe the procedure. Then, you will receive a finalized price quote for skin resurfacing. Dermatologist may also decide that laser skin resurfacing is not the best procedure to help you achieve your goals. In this case, he may recommend another procedure.

A CO2 laser resurfacing surgery will begin with the check-in process on the day of surgery. After performing the necessary tests and preparations, a licensed anesthesia provider will place you under anesthesia. While commonly performed under local anesthesia with some mild sedation.

The dermatologist will cover your eyes and calibrate the laser based on your skin and needs. He will then slowly move the laser across your face in a smooth and patterned motion. Dermatologist will continue this process until he has treated the entire treatment area. He may also go over certain areas more than once, or adjust the settings throughout. The laser will penetrate and damage the outer layers of skin, resulting in the damaged skin’s removal.

The entire procedure will take around an hour. However, it is common for patients to combine CO2 laser resurfacing with other facial plastic surgeries such as a facelift. In this case, it usually averages around two hours. Though, the exact surgical time will depend on the specifics of your procedure.

Recovery CO2 Laser Treatment

After CO2 laser skin resurfacing, you will likely find that bandages are covering your skin. Once home, you will need to refrain from driving, watching TV, or reading for about two to four days. This is because these activities can put undue stress on the skin around your eyes. Following these instructions helps reduce side effects, overall risk, and promotes collagen production.

Your skin will appear red and slowly fade to pink over the coming weeks. After about a week, most patients can cover their redness with makeup and return to social activities, work, and some exercise. Dermatologist may instruct you to apply Vaseline or medical grade moisturizer at least once a day. Other instructions following CO2 laser resurfacing may include:

*Avoiding strenuous exercise for two weeks.

*Start or stop certain prescribed medications.

*Elevate the head of the bed.

*Do not use any rejuvenating or resurfacing skincare products for about six weeks.

*Only apply pre-discussed products and cosmetics during your initial recovery.

*Do not scratch or pick at the treated areas.

*Apply sunscreen consistently after two weeks.

*Avoid sun exposure completely for two weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

*Is CO2 laser resurfacing worth it?

Sun damage is among one of the most difficult skin conditions to treat or alleviate. CO2 laser resurfacing is the most effective treatment for sun spots and damage. Additionally, it is can help tighten the skin and treat a variety of other signs of aging and skin conditions.

*Will You Need Repeat Treatments of CO2 laser resurfacing?

Laser skin resurfacing does potentially require multiple sessions. However, with surgical CO2 laser resurfacing the results are longer lasting than non-ablative procedures. Though no cosmetic procedure can completely stop aging, it can reverse some of it and slow the process.

*Can It Be Done Under Local Anesthesia?

Yes, occasionally, some plastic surgeons will perform CO2 laser resurfacing under local anesthesia. This can reduce recovery time and lead to fewer side effects following surgery.

*Is CO2 Laser Compatible With All Skin Tones?

Yes and no, CO2 lasers are not compatible with darker skin tones. However, modern CO2 laser skin resurfacing can potentially benefit darker skin tones in certain circumstances. Skin resurfacing compatibility for darker skin tones largely depends on the patient, if they use brightening products, and if they have deep wrinkles or other structures. It is best to consult with dermatologist to determine the right laser resurfacing procedure for your skin tone. There are laser options for darker skin tones.