CO2 Fractional Resurfacing
The ablative fractional CO2 laser is a revolutionary treatment used by dermatologists for complete skin renewal (known as “resurfacing”), reducing deep wrinkles, acne scars, pigmentation, skin imperfections, and benign skin changes.
Treatment
This non-invasive laser procedure uses carbon dioxide with a wavelength of 10,600 nm as a medium. The effect is the removal of the superficial layer of skin (epidermis) and heating the deeper layers of the skin (dermis), which stimulates the production and restructuring of new collagen, tightens the skin, and slows down the aging process. The laser rejuvenates the skin using fractional energy (a small portion of the skin is removed in parallel columns, leaving the skin around each column intact for faster healing). As the epidermis heals and regenerates, the treated area appears younger, tighter, and smoother. The synthesis of new collagen and improvement of the skin’s appearance continues up to 6 months after treatment, making it one of the favorite and longer-lasting methods for rejuvenating the skin of the face, neck, décolletage, and hands. Because of its advantages, it is the gold standard in the so-called non-surgical “resurfacing” of the face, i.e., complete skin renewal and achieving facial radiance. With the fractional method, the laser is used to treat wrinkles, enlarged pores, acne scars, stretch marks, pigmentation, and also for skin tightening. It is also possible to perform a so-called laser peel, a popular method for achieving quick facial refreshment and radiance. The laser can also remove benign changes such as moles, warts, calluses, spots, condylomas, syringomas..
Before the treatment, anesthetic cream is applied to the skin and left on for about an hour, then it is removed. During the treatment itself, one might feel mild heating, warmth, and tingling. After the treatment, the skin is cooled with a cooling device for 30 to 40 minutes to prevent severe redness, tingling, and reduce the possibility of side effects.
Candidates
It’s an excellent treatment for patients who want a complete skin renewal to improve texture and skin quality and have sun-induced skin damage, deep wrinkles, enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, rough skin texture, sagging tone, and acne scars.
Moreover, the fractional laser is safe for all skin phototypes, so even individuals with darker skin can undergo the treatment, who with older laser generations had a significant risk of hyperpigmentation.
Results
The first results are seen a few days after the scabs fall off and the skin redness subsides. The face looks significantly fresher and of better texture, with fewer pigmentations, and skin irregularities are softened. The improvement in the skin’s appearance continues for several months after the treatment when the final result is observed. The treatment can be repeated after 4 to 6 weeks.
Recovery
After the treatment, edema and redness appear. The edema lasts 2-3 days, and the redness 3-5 days. Right after the treatment or a day after, small scabs begin to form on the skin, which will fade and peel off in 5-10 days. It’s advisable not to remove them manually but to let them fall off naturally. Cold compresses of saline solution can be applied to the treated area for faster and more comfortable recovery. Patients should use a moisturizing restorative cream several times a day. Sun exposure should be avoided until the skin has recovered, and afterward, it is recommended to apply cream with a sun protection factor. By treating only microscopic areas of the skin (known as a fraction), the recovery time after laser treatment is significantly reduced compared to older ablative lasers.