Fractional CO2 laser is a fast and effective way to repair a variety of skin problems and lesions such as scars, pimples, skin blemishes, wrinkles and other problems caused by aging. Fractional carbon dioxide laser is also a way to rejuvenate the skin.
With the help of fractional CO2 laser, skin peeling can be done and skin lesions in the face, neck, shoulders and arms can be repaired and treated.
Fractional CO2 laser: A method for exfoliating and repairing the skin
Fractional lasers mean that they affect only part of the irradiated area. In other words, in a non-fractional laser, the entire area to which the laser light is emitted is damaged (in a controlled way). Whereas in fractional lasers, only parts of the skin tissue in the laser-irradiated area will be destroyed.
Damaging the skin tissue in form of small points is the basis of fractional CO2 laser. This removes the surface layers of the skin; thus, the skin begins to repair laser damages. In fact, when there are scars, stitches, and pimples on the skin or due to aging, wrinkles have appeared on it; Fractional CO2 laser is used. This method stimulates the skin to repair and regenerate itself by controlled destruction of the surface layers of the epidermis.
Outcomes of Fractional CO2 Laser Application
The positive restorative and therapeutic effects of carbon dioxide laser can be summarized in several general categories, some of which are aesthetic and some of which are therapeutic.
- Tissue repair and skin color correction: improving skin texture, creating smooth and even skin, and eliminating damage caused by wounds, acne, or sunburn; Increasing cell density; adjusting the size of the skin pores according to the type of skin and the amount of fat.
- Removal of superficial wrinkles, lines on the skin, and sagging skin: Stimulating collagen production and thus tightening the skin along with repairing and regenerating the old layers of the skin; slight facelift
- Removal of moles, scars, bumps and pockmarks or acne scars
- Exfoliation of superficial skin lesions: removing not-so-deep skin lesions, such as some scars, warts, and skin blemishes with the help of a fractional CO2 laser.
- Treating ultraviolet light-induced damage to the skin: treatment of skin damages caused by UV or ultraviolet radiation from the sun or solarium including hyperpigmentation or dark spots on the skin as a result of sunburn; treatment of cheilitis (inflammation of the lips) caused by light damage
- Treatment of telangiectasia: these vascular lesions occur as the capillaries under the skin dilate.
- Increased production of growth factors (GAG), collagen production, contraction of myofibrils and resulting in skin tightening and lifting
- In some cases, removal of upper eyelid wrinkles and partial drooping of the eyelid instead of blepharoplasty surgery
Preoperative CO2 laser care
- Avoid sun exposure and tanning for at least a month before laser treatment.
- Stop using exfoliating or anti-aging products one month before the fractional CO2 laser.
- Discontinue medications such as aspirin, Advil and Naproxen, or any other anti-inflammatory drug.
- Avoid any treatment with glycolic acid.
- Do not undergo waxing, microdermabrasion one month before laser treatment.
- You may need to use topical retinoids a few weeks before your laser treatment session.
Complications of fractional CO2 laser and its recovery period
In general, fractional carbon dioxide laser is a safe method with no severe or persistent side effects. Pain and skin inflammation are minimal. However, after the laser, there is some redness and swelling of the skin that is normal and easily controlled. If these swelling and inflammation are bothersome, anti-inflammatory drugs will be prescribed.
A few days after laser treatment, you should use special skincare medications and ointments. The inflammation usually goes away after 2 to 3 days. After a few days, the damaged layers of the skin begin to peel off and you will experience flaky skin. Be careful not to bathe in hot water. Do not scratch the skin. Allow the repair process to proceed slowly. Usually, after two weeks, the redness and scabs formed on the skin will disappear.
How long does it take for the laser treatment results to appear?
Therapeutic response in C-fractional laser usually appears after 3 to 4 months. The reason for this is the slow process of skin repair and regeneration. It takes time to make proteins like collagen or elastin. During this time, you can help your skin repair process with good skincare, proper nutrition, and avoiding skin allergies and inflammation.