Acne can often get in the way on the big days of your life—whether it’s your most anticipated job interview or your first date with the person you love. In addition to making you feel insecure, acne can hurt you and, at worst, leave stubborn marks and redness.
Fortunately, you don’t have to live with unsightly acne scars. There are now treatments available to get rid of them and leave your face pimple-free and flawless. One of these safe and effective procedures is the fractional CO2 laser. It involves removing the outer layer of the skin with a laser to reveal the fresh and glowing skin underneath.
Want to learn more about how it can solve your skin problems? To get you started, here’s everything you need to know about fractional CO2 lasers, from procedures to benefits and even aftercare.
Basic Guide to Fractional CO2 Lasers
1. What is a fractional CO2 laser?
Fractional CO2 laser is a skin treatment used by dermatologists or doctors to reduce acne scars, deep wrinkles and other skin irregularities. This is a non-invasive procedure that uses a laser made of carbon dioxide to remove the outer layer of damaged skin.
2. What is fractional CO2 laser treatment?
Fractional carbon dioxide lasers are commonly used to treat acne scars. However, it can also cause various skin problems, such as:
age spots
crow’s feet
Enlarged oil glands (especially around the nose)
fine lines and wrinkles
hyperpigmentation
sagging skin
sunburn
uneven skin tone
wart
The procedure is usually performed on the face, but the neck, hands, and arms are just some of the areas that can be treated with a laser.
3. Who should get the fractional CO2 laser?
Fractional CO2 lasers are ideal for those looking to minimize acne scars, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and other skin conditions mentioned above. Dermatologists also recommend the procedure if your skin is unresponsive after a bad facelift.
4. Who should avoid fractional CO2 lasers?
Unfortunately, fractional CO2 lasers are not for everyone. People with large areas of acne, open wounds, or any infection on the face are advised to stay away from this skin procedure. People taking oral isotretinoin should also avoid the procedure because of the risks it poses to health and safety.
If you have a chronic medical condition (such as diabetes), you should also be extra careful and consult your doctor or dermatologist first.
After all these things have been said, you must schedule a consultation with a dermatologist so they can assess your eligibility for the procedure.
5. How is fractional CO2 laser surgery done?
Fractional CO2 lasers are usually done by applying a topical anesthetic cream to the problem area 30 to 45 minutes before. The process itself only lasts 15 to 20 minutes.
It uses short pulses of light energy (called superpulses) that are fired continuously in a scanning pattern to remove the thin outer layer of damaged skin.
Once dead skin cells are eliminated, the procedure activates the creation of multiple microthermal zones that penetrate deep into the skin. Through this, it stimulates your body’s natural healing process and boosts collagen production. This eventually replaces old, damaged cells with new, healthy skin.
6. What do I need to do before the fractional CO2 laser?
These preconditioning rules are recommended prior to partial CO2 laser surgery.
Do not use products containing retinoids as it can affect the end result.
Avoid excessive sun exposure for 2 weeks before laser treatment.
Stop taking medicines such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or even vitamin E, as this can prolong the clotting time.
Check with your dermatologist to find out if fractional CO2 laser treatment is suitable for you.
7. Is there downtime?
Because of the segmentation technique used during the procedure, healthy tissue under the skin can still be found between the microthermal areas where heat is applied. These healthy tissues provide the cells and proteins needed to heal the skin quickly.
Therefore, patients only have to go through a short recovery period – lasting 5 to 7 days.
8. Will fractional CO2 lasers hurt?
Most patients will find the pain minimal and often describe a tingling-like sensation. However, since the procedure involves numbing the area, your face will be numb, ensuring a painless treatment.
9. Are there any side effects?
Because fractional CO2 laser surgery introduces heat (through the laser) into the skin, patients may notice some redness or swelling in the treated area. Some may even experience discomfort and scabs.
In rare and worst-case scenarios, you may see the following complications after skiing:
Prolonged erythema partial redness is expected after CO2 laser surgery, but usually heals within three to four days. If the redness doesn’t stop after a month, you may have prolonged erythema.
Hyperpigmentation Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is most common in patients with darker skin. It usually occurs after the skin is injured or inflamed.
Infection Bacterial infection is rare, with only a 0.1% chance of all treated cases. However, it is best to properly identify them and their treatment to avoid further complications.
Fortunately, the risk of these side effects can be minimized and completely eliminated by following some dermatologist-recommended aftercare tips.
10. What should I do after fractional CO2 laser surgery?
After fractional CO2 laser surgery, you should apply sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Make sure to use mild cleansers and moisturizers twice a day, and avoid any harsh products. It’s also best to limit the use of cosmetics, as they can irritate the skin more.
To reduce facial swelling, you can try applying an ice pack or compress to the treated area for the first 24 to 48 hours after fractional CO2 laser treatment. Apply ointment if necessary to prevent scabbing. Finally, you may need to adjust your daily activities and avoid situations where you might get infected, such as swimming and exercising.
11. Are the results of the fractional CO2 laser instantaneous?
The results of skin treatments will depend on the problem you are targeting. For example, if you want to get rid of hyperpigmentation, you can see immediate results in just one session. However, when it comes to removing acne scars and fine lines, it may take a while to show results.
12. Do I need to have multiple fractional CO2 laser treatments?
Again, depending on the severity of your skin condition, you may need about one to three sessions. These treatments can be done every four to six weeks.
Fractional CO2 Laser is a non-surgical treatment that targets your acne scars, fine lines and other skin concerns with minimal downtime. It involves removing the outer layer of damaged skin and stimulating collagen production for firmer, healthier and younger looking skin. After a very short (15-20 minute) session, you can immediately resume your daily activities and face the day with renewed confidence!
Post time: Aug-30-2022