People who want to reduce the look of acne scarring, fine wrinkles, pigmentation, and other skin issues can benefit from fractional CO2 laser treatment. Dermatologists also advise getting the surgery if you have non-responsive skin as a result of a botched facelift. It can, however, treat a wide range of skin issues, including:

• Spots of old age
• Feet of crows
• Oil glands that have grown in size (especially around the nose)
• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Hyperpigmentation
• Sun damage causes sagging skin.
• Skin tone disparity
• Warts

The technique is most commonly performed on the face, although the laser can also be used to treat the neck, hands and arms.

You should wear sunscreen after the fractional CO2 laser process to protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays (even when it’s cloudy). Avoid using harsh products and instead, use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer twice a day. It’s all good to keep makeup to a minimum because it can irritate the skin even more.

You’ll also need to make some changes to your normal skincare routine. Cleaning the treatment area two to five times each day is required. You’ll use saline or vinegar-based solutions advised by your doctor instead of your regular cleaner.

To keep your skin clean, you’ll also need to use new dressings.

In the first 24 to 48 hours following your fractional CO2 laser treatment, apply an ice pack or compress to the treated area to reduce swelling around your face. To avoid the formation of scabs, apply ointment as needed. Finally, you may need to modify your everyday activities and avoid situations where you could become infected, such as swimming and exercising.

Because the fractional CO2 laser process heats the skin (through the laser), patients may experience some redness or swelling in the treated area. Some people may even develop scabs and pain.

Following the skin treatment, you may experience the following consequences in rare and worst-case scenarios: redness, hyperpigmentation, and infection (rare).

Fortunately, by following some dermatologist-recommended post-care measures, the risk of these adverse effects can be reduced or even prevented.

The procedure is simple and safe to employ, and it has been successfully used for a variety of clinical and cosmetic purposes in people of all skin types. CO2 laser resurfacing has a very low chance of causing side effects.

The discomfort is usually mild for most people, and they typically describe it as prickling. However, because the procedure involves numbing the area, your face will be numb, ensuring a painless procedure.

Carbon dioxide laser treatment provides the following benefits for some skin conditions:

• The CO2 laser is not pigment-selective, and so both pigmented and non-pigmented skin lesions can be targeted with the CO2 wavelength.
• Tissue-selective, high-precision treatment
• Consumables are inexpensive.
• Less invasive than chemical peeling and dermabrasion.
• Short downtime — roughly 2 weeks to recover

Laser resurfacing is performed by some dermatologic surgeons; however, it is not considered a surgery. Following the procedure, you can leave your doctor’s office right away.

Downtime and recovery are still required to ensure that your skin heals properly. This lowers your risk of negative effects while also assisting you in achieving your goals.

It normally takes 3 to 10 days for the body to heal. The longer recuperation time in general, the larger the treatment area and the deeper the laser. It can take up to three weeks to recover from an ablative laser treatment, for example. Your skin may be quite red and scab over as you recuperate. There will be some peeling. Ice packs can be used to assist relieve edema.

While you don’t have to stay at home for the duration of your recovery, you should avoid germ-rich environments, such as the gym, to reduce your chance of infection.

These pre-treatment guidelines should be followed before conducting a fractional CO2 laser operation.

• Retinol-containing products should not be used because they can alter the ultimate result.
• 2 weeks before the laser treatment, avoid extensive sun exposure.
• Ibuprofen, aspirin, and even vitamin E should be avoided because they can cause prolonged clotting.
• Stop smoking at least two weeks before and after your treatment. This improves your chance of avoiding complications and helps your body heal.

Procedure:

• A local anesthetic cream is applied to the problem area 30 to 45 minutes before the fractional CO2 laser treatment. The procedure takes only 15 to 20 minutes to complete. This is used to make you more comfortable during the process by reducing pain. If you have a wide region of the skin to treat, your doctor may recommend a sedative or pain reliever.
• The skin is next washed to get rid of any extra oil, grime, or bacteria.
• Your doctor will begin the therapy using the laser that you have chosen. The laser is moved steadily across the skin’s specified area through a scanning pattern. It removes the thin, outer layers of damaged skin.
• The process then initiates the formation of several microthermal zones that go deep into the skin after the dead skin cells have been removed. It can activate your body’s natural healing mechanism and increase collagen formation in this way. This eventually results in the replacement of old, damaged cells with new, healthy skin.
• Finally, after the process, your doctor will wrap the treatment region in wraps to protect the skin.

Ablative lasers, like the CO2 laser, work by removing skin layers. It warms the underlying skin while removing the thin outer layer of skin (epidermis) (dermis). This promotes the development of new collagen fibers. The treated skin appears clearer, smoother, and tighter as the epidermis repairs and regrows.

Non-ablative lasers, such as IPL devices, do not remove any skin layers; instead, they stimulate collagen formation and improve skin tone and texture. This is less intrusive and takes less time to recover from, but it is ineffective.

The laser type is chosen by your doctor based on the issue being treated and your cosmetic goals.

Unfortunately, not everyone is a good fit for the fractional CO2 laser. This skin therapy is not recommended for people who have a lot of breakouts, open wounds, or infections on their faces. Oral isotretinoin users should also avoid the surgery because it poses a health and safety risk.

If you have a chronic medical condition (such as diabetes), you should proceed with caution and seek the advice of a physician or dermatologist beforehand.

Having said all of this, you must arrange a consultation with a dermatologist so that they can determine whether or not you’re a good candidate for the operation.

The outcome of your skin treatment will be determined by the condition you’re trying to solve. If you want to get rid of hyperpigmentation, for example, you can see improvements in just one session. However, when it comes to removing acne scars and fine wrinkles, the results may take a while to appear.

Non-ablative laser treatments are less likely to cause side effects, but you may require many sessions to get the results you want. Ablative lasers, on the other hand, may be able to resolve your issues in just one session.

Individual outcomes differ depending on the severity of the initial concerns treated. Once you’ve completed your treatment sessions, you can anticipate your results to last for several years. The effects, however, aren’t permanent. At some point, you may need to repeat the procedure.

Your dermatologist can assist you in determining the cause of your skin problem and can also help in assessing if a fractional CO2 laser is right for you or not. Your dermatologist can then develop a treatment plan that is right for you. That one visit could make a significant difference in your quality of life for years to come. However, given the delicate nature of the procedure, it’s best to work with a board-certified dermatologist that can ensure the process is safe and effective.

If you and your dermatologist agree that procedure is the best choice for you, your dermatologist will devise a tailor-made treatment plan exclusively for you. Your dermatologist will consider a variety of factors when developing this plan, including your main cause of skin problem, location, severity, etc. If you have taken any kind of previous skin-related treatment, be sure to tell your dermatologist about that before the treatment begins.

If you are wondering which treatment works best for your skin problems, a dermatologist can assist you in making that decision as their in-depth medical knowledge could help in determining which procedure would give promising results. With all procedures, side effects are possible. In the skilled hands of a board-certified dermatologist, side effects tend to be minor and temporary.

Dr. Shweta is one of the most renowned names in cosmetic treatment in Mumbai serving thousands & thousands of patients happily, including Bollywood celebrities and many patients from out of the country. Treating various skin conditions requires deep medical knowledge and years of experience as these lesions look similar to lots of other conditions. Dr. Shweta’s credentials are your best option for getting a correct diagnosis followed by a customized treatment plan.

As you have read, there are lots of options for the treatment of various skin conditions. Different faces need different sets of options and only a well-seasoned doctor could identify what set of treatments could work for you. She has expertise in solving the issue of skin that needs cosmetic attention. She has extensive experience and expertise in performing cosmetic procedures like laser therapy, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, CO₂ laser, and many more with delivering optimum results with 110% patient satisfaction every single time.

We at Allure Medspa in India, have world-class facilities in place to cater to your every need when it comes to cosmetic treatment. Here we have dedicated ourselves to give you the best results. If you have decided upon undergoing stretch mark treatment, here we have a wide range of procedures including surgical treatments for stretch marks under one roof to cater to all your needs.

Today, we are here with virtual consultation even in this quarantine: 

https://www.alluremedspa.in/online-consultations.html

Q: How often should you take CO2 laser treatments?

A: Again, depending on the severity of your skin condition, one to three treatments may be required. These treatments can be repeated every four to six weeks.

Q: What does a fractional CO2 laser do?

A: The fractional CO2 laser is a non-surgical therapy for acne scars, fine wrinkles, and other skin issues that requires no downtime. It involves removing the damaged outer layer of skin, stimulating collagen formation, and resulting in firmer, healthier, and younger-looking skin.

Q: How long does it take to heal from a CO2 fractional laser?

A:  After CO2 laser treatment, it usually takes about 1 to 2 weeks for your skin to heal.

Q: Is fractional CO2 laser painful?

A: Although the CO2 causes some discomfort, we make sure that our patients are at ease throughout the operation. Your skin will be numb during the entire session. A sensation comparable to “pins and needles” is frequently experienced.

Q: Can CO2 lasers tighten skin?

A: Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing is a well-proven treatment option for tightening loose skin. The development of extra collagen is one of the ways laser treatments help people with conditions like this. The laser’s heat stimulates the skin to produce more collagen.

Q: How long does your face stay red after CO2 laser treatment?

A: The redness of the skin that persists after the initial healing phase will usually fade in about 4 to 6 weeks.

Q: How often should you get a CO2 laser?

A: Three to five sessions are required if you want to get rid of wrinkles or acne scarring. Sessions for both acne and wrinkles should be spaced out four weeks apart. You should schedule sessions six to eight weeks apart to reduce photo damage.

Q: Does CO2 laser remove wrinkles?

A: All types of wrinkles can be treated using CO2 laser treatment, which is both safe and effective. This is a therapy that resurfaces the skin and minimizes the appearance of wrinkles, particularly those around the lips and on the forehead, rapidly. For the vast majority of patients, this treatment is a viable alternative.

Q: Does skin peel after a CO2 laser?

A: CO2 is a laser that will cause the skin to peel (looks like coffee grounds) and this is seen starting 1-2 days after and lasting 4-7 days.

Q: Does CO2 laser remove acne scars?

A: A Carbon Dioxide Laser system can be used to treat acne scars that are moderate to severe. These lasers, also known as CO2 lasers for acne scars, can enter the skin and heal damaged tissue, leaving you with perfect skin.