Do you dream of flawless, glowing, and airbrushed-looking skin? While we can maintain a healthy skincare routine with various cleansers, masks, scrubs, and other skincare products, in most cases, they don’t do the job.
Enter CO2 laser resurfacing. When it comes to unveiling skin that possesses an immaculate and blemish-free look, nothing is more powerful.
But what exactly is CO2RE resurfacing, and what are the benefits of it? Keep reading to discover the secret to picture-perfect skin.
What Are CO2RE Lasers and How Do They Work?
So, what is laser cosmetic surgery? In dermatology, lasers are skin-resurfacing tools that use light and heat to improve the tone, texture, and coloration of the skin.
Dermatologist laser treatment works by performing a safe and controlled injury in the skin tissue. This prompts the body to start a healing process to improve the look of skin. The result is an increase of collagen that reduces fine lines and wrinkles and gives the skin a polished and dewy look.
CO2 lasers are one type of skin care lasers and are renowned for their powerful effectiveness.
The CO2RE laser eliminates all the epidermis and some of the dermis, and recovery time is usually around two weeks post-treatment. Used by dermatologists worldwide, the CO2 laser is one of the most popular lasers used for improving the look of skin.
What Are the Benefits of CO2RE Resurfacing?
Let’s go into the benefits of CO2RE resurfacing in more depth for a better understanding of what you can expect from treatment.
As mentioned, CO2 laser resurfacing encourages collagen production. This in effect addresses many skin issues such as aging, tone, and texture concerns.
The non-surgical method allows patients to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It also improves pigmentation and smooths acne scars.
When used, CO2 lasers remove the damaged layers of skin by beaming pulses of light energy deep within the skin. This light treats the areas of skin with damage or pigmentation issues. These issues include brown spots, red spots, and other blemishes and imperfections.
This treatment offers several stages of the procedure, ranging from mild to strong. The type of laser used depends on the patient’s skin tone and their specific skin issues.
The best bit is that the results are long-lasting, meaning you don’t need to top up with another treatment every few months or even years.
But, while laser treatment works well to reduce the appearance of acne scars, it isn’t used to remedy active acne or cysts. While light therapy can help decrease inflammation, it’s less efficient on whiteheads, blackheads, and on cysts or nodules.
If you are suffering from acne, your dermatologist may suggest a different acne treatment before the use of laser resurfacing. For example, this may be a topical medicine to apply to your skin, or oral tablets, depending on the nature of your acne.
If you do decide to opt for CO2 laser resurfacing, consider that usually several treatments are required. This helps to deliver more effective results in comparison to a single procedure.
Is CO2RE Resurfacing Right for You?
As mentioned, CO2RE resurfacing works best on fair skin tones.
If you have a dark skin tone, it’s recommended to approach lasers – including the CO2RE – with caution. This is because not all skin tones react to laser therapy in the same way.
Skin tones with more pigment risk the effects of hyperpigmentation. This means there’s a chance of blotchiness or darkness occurring. Often, this can be an unwanted side effect that the patient is trying to treat in the first place.
But, the good news is that those with darker skin tones don’t need to avoid lasers completely. Instead, be aware of the risks and seek a dermatologist who has experience using the laser that works best for your skin tone. A professional dermatologist can talk you through your concerns and can assess the value in comparison to the risks.
It’s a common misconception that laser resurfacing is only appropriate for fair skin types. So, it’s recommended to explore all avenues if you possess a darker skin tone. While it’s true that some lasers offer a higher risk of discoloration in darker skin, there are always safe and effective laser options too.
For lighter-toned African American, Hispanic, or Asian skin tones, erbium lasers are an alternative option to CO2RE lasers, offering less chance of hyperpigmentation. For darker brown or black skin tones, other resurfacing options may be required, like radio-frequency treatments or micro-needling.
And if you do decide to opt for CO2RE resurfacing, always receive treatment from a professional who has experience handling a range of lasers. This is because quality dermatologists and doctors can customize treatments, and often mix it up using different lasers and wavelengths for the best results.
Today, many doctors combine CO2RE lasers with other types of lasers to achieve the most effective results possible.
Ready to Try CO2 Laser Therapy?
If you’re ready to welcome glowing, beautiful skin, then CO2 laser therapy may be the treatment for you. Remember, always have a consultation with a professional and knowledgeable dermatologist, and make sure you understand the pros and cons of the treatment.
To book a consultation and find out if CO2 laser treatment is right for you, contact us at Skin MD to schedule your free consultation. We serve Hanover, Boston, Peabody, Shrewsbury, and Dedham. Give us a call today!