During the procedure
Ablative laser resurfacing is an outpatient procedure. Before the procedure, your face will be cleaned and your eyes will be covered. Your doctor will numb your skin with local anesthetics. For extensive resurfacing, such as treatment to your whole face, you might be sedated.
During ablative laser resurfacing, an intense beam of light energy (laser) is directed at your skin. The laser beam destroys the outer layer of skin (epidermis). At the same time, the laser heats the underlying skin (dermis), which causes collagen fibers to shrink. As the wound heals, new skin forms that’s smoother and tighter. Ablative laser resurfacing typically takes between 30 minutes and two hours, depending on the technique used and the size of the area treated.
Nonablative laser resurfacing can be done in your doctor’s office/clinic. The treatment area will be cleaned, and your eyes will be covered. Your doctor might numb your skin one to two hours before treatment. To protect the outer layer of your skin during nonablative laser resurfacing, your doctor will apply a cryogen spray, a water-based gel or cool air to the treatment area before pulsing the laser. The laser damages collagen beneath your skin and stimulates the growth of new collagen, tightening underlying skin and improving skin tone and appearance. No skin is removed.
Nonablative laser resurfacing typically takes between 15 minutes and 1 1/2 hours, depending on the technique used and size of the area treated. To achieve target results, a series of treatments is typically scheduled over the course of weeks or months.
After the procedure
After ablative laser resurfacing, the treated skin will be raw, swollen and itchy. Treated areas might ooze yellowish liquid. To help avoid scarring, don’t pick at crusts or pieces of skin.
Your doctor will apply a thick ointment to the treated skin and might cover the area with an airtight and watertight dressing. To relieve pain after the procedure, take an over-the-counter pain reliever and apply ice packs.
While you’re recovering from ablative laser resurfacing, regularly clean the treated area with water, saline or acetic acid and apply thick, protective ointments, such as petroleum jelly. You might prefer to remain at home while you’re healing, and your doctor might recommend avoiding strenuous activities. Once new skin completely covers the treated area — usually after one or two weeks — you can use cosmetics to conceal any redness.
After nonablative laser resurfacing, your skin might be temporarily red or swollen. Use ice packs as needed. You can apply makeup and resume your normal activities immediately.
Results
After ablative laser resurfacing, your skin might stay red or pink for up to several months. However, once the treatment area begins to heal, you’ll notice an immediate difference in your skin quality and appearance. The effects can last for years.
Results after nonablative laser resurfacing tend to be gradual and progressive, rather than immediate and dramatic. You’re more likely to notice improvements in skin texture and pigment than in wrinkles.
After laser resurfacing, avoid unprotected sun exposure for one year to prevent irregular pigmentation. Keep in mind that your results might not be permanent, since as you age you’ll continue to acquire lines by squinting and smiling. New sun damage can also reverse your results.
Fraxel
Most of us wish we could slow down the effects aging has on our looks – and maybe even get a few years back in the process. Fraxel® is proven laser technology that can help reverse the visible effects of aging, naturally helping you look as young as you feel. With Fraxel, change isn’t drastic or scary – it’s you, just younger.
Fraxel is effective on:
What we can get done with Fraxel?
Fraxel is the original fractional laser treatment that works below the skin’s surface from the top down, addressing imperfections like fine lines, visible photo aging, wrinkles, scarring and age spots. Fraxel light energy stimulates your skin’s natural collagen, rejuvenating skin cells below the surface to help smooth the creases and pockets that cause wrinkles and scars. Fraxel only treats targeted problem areas – so the results are focused and effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is eCO2 Resurfacing?
ECO2 Resurfacing is a recently developed dermatological treatment that uses a laser to heat tiny areas of the dermis while completely removing other tiny areas of dermal and epidermal tissue. The procedure leaves skin feeling firmer, smoother and younger, while improving the appearance of age spots and other unwanted pigment.
How does eCO2 Resurfacing work?
The treatment stimulates skin cells to produces collagen and extracellular matrix by using tiny fractionated laser beams to heat and remove precise areas of tissue. The additional collagen and extracellular matrix renews the structure of skin cells, making the skin firmer and more elastic.
Does eCO2 Resurfacing has FDA approval?
The FDA issued regulatory clearance to the eCO2 laser system in July 2008.
Which areas of the body can be effectively treated with eCO2 Resurfacing?
Typically, eCO2 Resurfacing is used on the face to treat conditions such as wrinkles, acne scars and sun damage. However, it has also been used to treat scars and pigmentation problems on other body areas such as the upper chest, arms and legs.
What are the advantages of eCO2 Resurfacing over other ablative and non-ablative laser treatments?
The new eCO2 lasers are an improvement over earlier ablative lasers, which tended to leave marked coloring differences between treated and untreated skin areas. This treatment also decreases the patient’s post-procedure pain and shortens recovery time, compared to some other resurfacing treatments. The eCO2 treatments is also faster and provide more significant results than non-ablative laser treatments, which heat skin tissue but do not remove it.
Is an eCo2 resurfacing laser treatment painful?
Unlike earlier ablative lasers, eCO2 causes much less skin damage, so that treatments are less painful and heal more quickly. Prior to the procedure, the patient’s skin is thoroughly cleansed and a topical anesthetic is applied the target area to minimize any discomfort.
Can people with different skin tones/colours/complexions be treated with eCO2 resurfacing laser?
Yes, however patients with darker skin tones may be at an increased risk for pigmentation changes regardless of which resurfacing method is used. However, using a preparatory skincare regimen as advised by the Doctor may reduce the risk.
Who are good candidates for eCO2 Resurfacing?
Adults with mild to moderate wrinkles in specific facial areas such as around the eyes or mouth are considered good candidates for eCO2 Resurfacing. Other candidates for this treatment include patients with scars from burns, surgery or acne, as well as those with sun-damaged skin, mottled skin, or skin pigmentation problems.
How is the procedure performed and what is the total time taken?
The patient is prepped for the procedure with a thorough skin cleansing, the application of a topical anesthetic to the treated area, and placement of protective eye cups if the surface to be treated is around the eyes. The laser is then set to the scan pattern and light frequencies the doctor determines are best for the patient’s specific condition. The doctor then carefully scans the treated area with the laser light. Total time for the procedure is usually about an hour.
What is the recovery like?
Upon completing treatment, patients normally feel some discomfort in the treated area, which is usually somewhat swollen. For a few days afterward, the treated skin will look as if it has been sunburned: it will be red or pink in color. It will weep and drain for about 24 hours after treatment, and then will appear dry and may start to peel. These conditions improve within 72 hours, and most patients can resume normal activities about five days after treatment.
What will the results be like?
Once the skin has fully recovered, patients will typically see much better tone, color and texture after the first treatment. Often only one treatment is needed; seldom are more than two or three treatments required.
What are the risks associated with eCO2 Resurfacing?
As with any treatment that removes skin tissue, there may be some noticeable differences in skin coloration after the skin has healed from the surgery. This risk is increased for patients with darker skin tones. However, the risk of these pigmentation problems is much less with eCO2 Resurfacing than with other kinds of ablative laser treatment.
