The goal of laser skin resurfacing is simple: replace damaged skin with new, fresh skin. Techniques for skin resurfacing have made enormous advances, allowing nearly everyone to achieve close to flawless complexions. Many systems allow for light, moderate or deep laser resurfacing. The primary targets of laser skin resurfacing include:
- Fine lines and wrinkles of the face, especially around the upper lip, cheeks and forehead
- Loose eyelid skin
- Crow’s feet around the eyes
- Pucker marks (smoker’s lines) and frown lines
- Brown spots and splotchy, uneven skin tone
- Scars, especially acne scars
- Loose skin around the neck and jowls
Before & After:
How It Works
The gold standard of laser resurfacing systems, the CO2 laser delivers thousands of tiny laser pulses in a pattern over the skin. Each pulse heats a column of tissue eliminating pigment discolorations at the surface and creating a zone of heating deep in the tissue. The CO2 laser also offers the benefits of heating deeper layers of skin tissue, thereby stimulating collagen remodeling the skin further. Patients can select from a range of treatments depending on the needs of your skin and lifestyle.
What is “Fractional” Laser Resurfacing?
A fractional laser procedure is oftentimes performed in a single treatment with minimal patient downtime. During the procedure, a high-energy beam of laser light is used to smooth out lines, wrinkles and scars, remove brown spots and other irregularities. It also stimulates formation of new underlying collagen to continue improvement over time. With fractional laser treatment, only a fraction of the skin’s surface is treated by the laser, leaving small “bridges” of untouched skin. This technique makes the healing process much faster and enables you to get back to normal activities sooner.
Is CO2 Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing Right for You?
This procedure is ideal for you if you:
- Have a busy lifestyle or cannot be away from work for a long time
- Want noticeable results with minimal downtime
- Want to treat dyschromia, fine lines, wrinkles and skin laxity
What You Can Expect from One Treatment
The procedure is performed in the office with a topical anesthetic cream that is applied one hour prior to coming in for the procedure. Dr. Hantes will block the nerves around the eyes and mouth so that the patient is comfortable throughout the treatment. There is little to no pain associated with the procedure – most patients say they feel warmth similar to a sunburn. With a gentle washing and moisturizing regimen, your photo-damaged skin will begin to flake off within 2 days. Most patients are able to wear make-up 3 – 5 days after the procedure. Pinkness should be gone in one to two weeks.
Benefits of CO2 Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing
CO2 fractional laser treatment produces a dramatic effect on the skin:
- Reduces wrinkles and fine lines, and softens deeper frown lines
- Noticeably improves skin tone and texture
- Stimulates new collagen formation and plumps the skin
The results of CO2 fractional laser treatments are long-term and, with proper sun protection, can persist for many years. Most effects of treatment become visible right away, whereas others – such as new collagen formation – build up gradually and become more evident over time. Therefore, most people look even better 6-12 months after the procedure.