C02 Laser Resurfacing

CO2 laser fractional rejuvenation and resurfacing are very precise and treat microscopic columns of skin. During your procedure, the laser is passed over your skin, sending out brief pulses of high-energy light. Each pulse lasts less than a millisecond. This light is absorbed by water and by substances in the skin called chromophores, and is converted into heat energy. The heat then destroys (vaporizes) thin sections of skin, layer by layer. Between passes of the laser, the skin will be wiped with a cooling solution that also removes tissue that the laser has destroyed. The number of passes needed depends on the size of the area and the type of skin concern being treated.

As the targeted area heals, collagen and healthy new skin cells are produced, replacing the damaged skin that was removed during the laser treatment. Since untreated areas surround the treated areas of skin, the result is visible improvement without much bleeding or scabbing.

With a fractional rejuvenation or resurfacing procedure, you should experience only moderate discomfort during the treatment. An anesthetic will be applied before the procedure, which typically makes any discomfort tolerable. You may feel a snapping feeling against your skin as the laser passes over the treatment area. Still, from our personal experience and what our clients tell us, the sensation is very similar to that of a chemical peel.

The CO2 Rejuvenation treatments, or light treatments, have a healing time of approximately five to seven days. Post-procedure, you can expect your complexion to change over several days, from somewhat red to a bronzy glow to patchy, to the final stage: peeling and shedding of dead skin cells, which is the body’s natural exfoliation process. Within 72 hours, you can apply makeup as usual.

The Resurfacing treatment, or moderate to deep CO2 mode, is simply an enhanced version, and the healing time will thus be longer, about 10-14 days. In most cases, there is little or no bleeding; however, severely damaged skin is more likely to bleed. So, you may not want to schedule any social activities for the first several days post-procedure, and you will need to go without makeup for about a week.

However, regardless of the CO2 level used, you will see remarkable results after just a few days, and your skin will be noticeably improved!

Yes, this SkinMD technology is the latest generation of FDA-approved CO2 lasers and can correct many cosmetic and dermatological skin conditions through a single procedure. However, it is critical that you meet with a medical professional, whether at SkinMD or wherever you choose to get your treatment, to discuss your complete medical and skin history to minimize the potential for any adverse reactions. At SkinMD, we consider your overall general health before we recommend any laser treatment. Also, women who are pregnant or nursing, or anyone with a history of melanoma, are all contraindicated for laser treatment of any kind.

The CO2 Fractional Rejuvenation and Resurfacing procedures can be truly life-changing, especially for people who spend thousands of dollars every year trying to look, feel, and be their best. Now, with just one CO2 treatment, you can correct skin damage and other skin imperfections for years. We are not claiming to have found the fountain of youth; we still cannot stop the aging process. However, we can commit to getting your skin that looks and feels rejuvenated for an extended time. Of course, you may still choose to get fillers and other cosmetic procedures.

Everyone’s skin concerns are different, and the course of treatment we are going to recommend – pre-, during, and post-procedure – will be specific to an individual’s needs. We will also strongly encourage you to use moisturizer and sunscreen during the healing process and on an ongoing basis. Furthermore, Dr. Flashner and/or our SkinMD nursing team will schedule follow-up appointments with you at least every nine months to assess your skin’s health and to continue to educate you on the importance of the right products to slow down the natural aging process. With the CO2 procedure, we will have corrected the damage that has already taken place, and as you gradually age, your skin will look, feel, and be much better.

CO2 treatments could be right for you if you are seeking younger-looking skin without the extended downtime associated with conventional resurfacing procedures, particularly if you have skin damaged by exposure to the sun, age spots, fine lines, discoloration, rough texture, and other skin imperfections.