Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing
What is Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing?
Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing is an aggressive laser treatment that works well for skin that is severely sun damaged, very loose, and for deep scars. Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing uses a tiny laser beam to treat thousands of pinpoint areas of your skin. Because only a fraction of your skin is directly treated with the laser, the surrounding untreated tissue promotes rapid healing. This skin’s wound healing response creates new collagen which add firmness and resilience to the skin. The laser generates a significant amount of heat to stimulate collagen, tightening the skin and improving fine lines and wrinkles.
What does Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing do?
Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing can be used for a number of applications:
- Deep wrinkles
- Severe sun damage
- Uneven color on the skin
- Indented acne scars
- Loose skin
Most skin areas can be treated with Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing. Popular treatment areas are:
- Face
- Neck
- Chest
- Backs of the Hands
Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing Testimonial
What happens during a Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment?
You will need to have an initial consultation with Dr. Alex before your Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment. We provide the Alastin Skin Nectar to use twice daily on your skin starting two weeks before your Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment. You will be prescribed certain medications to prevent infections; start taking these once daily for seven days starting the day before your Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment. On the day of your Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment the area to be treated will be washed and we will take pictures of you to monitor your progress. We will provide you with some medications to keep you comfortable during your Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment. These medications can make you sleepy, so you must be sure to have someone drive you home after your Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment. We apply numbing cream to the area that will be treated with Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment and let it sit for about one hour. The numbing cream is removed and the area is cleaned with special solutions. For your Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment, Dr. Alex also includes a Forever Young BBL IPL photofacial treatment and a Micro Laser Peel for improved results and faster recovery. We will place eye protection over your eyes before your Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment. You will see a bright light during the first step (Forever Young BBL IPL photofacial); just keep your eyes closed during the this step. We will apply cold gel on your skin to transmit the light and blow cold air on your skin to keep you comfortable during the IPL Photofacial treatment. The IPL Photofacial treatment feels like a hot rubber band snapping on your skin. Dr. Alex uses the Sciton Forever Young BBL device which has a number of benefits. The Sciton Forever Young BBL IPL Photofacial can treat all skin types from fair to dark. The Sciton Forever Young BBL device has a large spot size and a fast repetition rate, making your IPL Photofacial treatment fast and easy. Dr. Alex also uses collagen settings during your IPL Photofacial treatment to improve the texture of your skin. After the IPL Photofacial treatment, we will remove your eye protection, clean the gel off your skin, and provide you with a different eye protection for the next step of the Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment: the Micro Laser Peel. We will blow cold air on your skin to keep you comfortable during the Micro Laser Peel. The Micro Laser Peel feels like a hot or scratchy sensation on your skin. Next we will move on to the Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment. This feels like a pins and needles sensation and takes about 10 to 15 minutes to treat an area such as the face. Your face will be red and swollen immediately after your Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment. After your Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment, we will remove your eye protection, apply a hydrating sheet mask, and provide you with some cold juice to keep you comfortable. After about 15 minutes we will clean your skin, and apply aftercare products and sunscreen.
Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing Demonstration - Face
When will I see the results of my Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment?
You will see the results of your Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment slowly over time. The first week or two will be the recovery period and your skin will be red and swollen. We will provide you with aftercare products to help you with your recovery process. You will notice improvement in the color of your skin after a few weeks. The Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment stimulates your body to form your own natural, new, fresh, and healthy collagen. This will tighten your skin to help with deeper wrinkles, loose skin, stretch marks, and acne scars. Collagen is a microscopic protein and does not form overnight. It can take three, six, or even 12 months to see the full results after you Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment. Although people get outstanding results with just a single Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment, people with significant sun damage, loose skin, and deep scars may require multiple treatments. Dr. Alex recommends spacing the treatments at least three months apart.
How long will the results of my Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment last?
Since the Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment is an aggressive treatment, you will enjoy your results for years. Some people may choose to have a series of three or more Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatments done every three to six months. After that, most people will not need a maintenance treatment for three to five years. Dr. Alex finds that people look better five years after their Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment than they did before their Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment.
What should I do after a Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment?
After a Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment, avoid heat exposure, alcohol consumption, and strenuous exercise for one week. Heat exposure refers to staying outdoors for prolonged periods in the hot sun. Also avoid hot environments indoors such as a hot bath, sauna or steam room. Additionally, avoid hot or spicy foods or drinks such as soup, hot coffee, and hot tea (iced coffee and iced tea are okay). Strenuous exercise is anything that causes you to sweat or become short of breath. All of these things can cause problems like redness, blisters, and discoloration. Please avoid applying makeup on the area for at least one week after a Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment because your skin will be sensitive. Your skin will be red and swollen for a one to two weeks after a Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment. This is normal. You can apply cold compresses like ice packs on the area treated with the Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment to keep yourself comfortable. Sometimes dark spots get darker before they get lighter. This is also normal and can take up to two weeks after a Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment; this process is slower when areas other than the face are treated. Apply a broad spectrum (UVA and UVB protection) sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day to protect your skin. We will provide you aftercare products to use for about a week after your Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment. Continue using the Alastin Skin Nectar on your skin twice daily for about four weeks after you Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment. We will provide you with a special cleanser to gently clean your skin after your Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment. Spray your skin with the A E Skin Green Tea Essentials Soothing Chamomile Mist and while the skin is still wet, apply a thin layer of the A E Skin Green Tea Essentials Healing Ointment. This will help with your recovery after your Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment. Do this at least twice a day for a week after your Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment. For faster healing, you can repeat this process as often as every hour while awake. If you have oily skin or acne prone skin, be careful when applying the A E Skin Green Tea Essentials Healing ointment because applying too thick a layer can clog your pores and cause breakouts.
Additional Notes:
This is a service to be performed at the A E Skin office in Encino, CA. Patients must be in overall good health. Patients cannot be pregnant, breast feeding, or trying to become pregnant. Patients may not have used Accutane within the last 12 months. New patients must complete medical history paperwork and have a consultation (which may be done on the day of treatment). Patients must sign consent form for each treatment. As with all medical treatments provided by A E Skin, treatment itself if performed at the discretion of Dr. Alex Eshaghian. If you are a not a candidate for the procedure purchased, your purchase will be refunded within 30 days of your consult. All procedures purchased online must have their corresponding consult booked within two months of the date of purchase.