With so many skin treatments available today, it’s hard to know what to choose. But if you’re looking for powerful skin rejuvenation that really makes a difference to your complexion, it pays to know about the CO2 laser. Considered the gold standard in skin resurfacing, this highly effective laser can drastically improve the appearance of your skin by removing the top layer and stimulating the formation of new skin cells underneath. And the results can be profound.
There are two major types of CO2 lasers available: fully ablative and fractionated ablative. In this post, we’ll explain how this resurfacing laser works and why you must consult with an adequately trained and experienced professional before proceeding with any treatment.
How CO2 laser works
CO2 laser resurfacing uses a carbon dioxide gas to emit pulses of laser light. This laser emits energy at a wavelength of 10,600 nanometres. These light beams penetrate the skin surface where water in the skin cell absorbs them. During this procedure, the superficial layer of your skin (the epidermis) is vaporised. The middle layer of your skin (the dermis) quickly heats up, stimulating the growth of new collagen fibres by forcing them to contract and remodel.
Targeting collagen stimulation is vital, as collagen is a protein in your body that provides a tightly organised fibre network and contributes to your skin’s elasticities.
Over the next few weeks, the real magic happens: the treated area heals with new, smoother, firmer and more elastic skin, replacing the old layers.
The CO2 laser models today are highly adjustable, so your practitioner can adjust the treatment to suit your needs, precisely targeting the area/s of concern without interfering with nearby tissues. For example, if your skin is not extremely damaged, your technician may choose a different setting for the CO2 laser, such as the fractional laser, which is gentler on the skin. We’ll explain more below.
Fully ablative versus fractionated ablative CO2 laser
Fully ablative CO2 lasers are the traditional settings used on the CO2 lasers and target the entire surface of the skin in concern. They are more aggressive than non-ablative lasers but can produce more dramatic effects in visible skin improvements. However, be aware that these stronger laser treatments will require more downtime.
Fractionated ablative CO2 lasers, as the name suggests, only target a fraction of the skin. Using a grid-like device, it sends through a large number of tiny microbeams. This creates columns of ablation through the skin while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged. This less aggressive method accelerates healing time while lowering the risk of adverse effects.
Typically, ablative CO2 lasers provide the best results for people with Fitzpatrick type I or II skin (typically pale skin and with green or blue eyes and fair or red hair). Because these individuals have less melanin, they are less likely to develop hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation after the procedure. Darker skin types, with higher Fitzpatrick type scores, tend to be more suited to fractional CO2 lasers (or other types of lasers, like the pico Q-switch laser). Again, though, this is best discussed with your doctor.
Benefits of CO2 lasers
As we’ve mentioned, the CO2 laser falls into two categories: ablative and fractional.
The fully ablative CO2 laser may help certain skin conditions such as:
• Acne scars
• Glandular swellings — particularly on the nose
• Xanthelasma – harmless yellow growths that appear in the corners of your eyelids
• Uneven skin tone
• Fine to moderate wrinkles
• Chickenpox scars
• Mild scarring
• Sun damaged
• Seborrheic keratosis
• Actinic (solar) keratosis
• Lumps, bumps and moles
Fractionated CO2 laser may provide excellent results for individuals with the following conditions:
• Stretch marks
• Acne
• Acne scars
• Scarring
What to expect after a fractional CO2 laser treatment
After your laser treatment, your skin will likely appear red. You may notice some skin flaking in the treated areas two to three days following your treatment. Results can be seen as soon as one week after the treatment.
For best results, it’s recommended to have 2 to 3 initial treatments, 3 to 4 weeks apart. Your results can be seen for up to 18 months.
Recovery after fully ablative CO2 laser
• Typically, your skin may take up to 6 weeks to completely heal from ablative CO2 laser treatment. However, some individuals may notice mild inflammation for up to 6 months after treatment.
• Your skin may appear quite raw and look and feel as if it is severely sunburned. While your skin recovers, your doctor may recommend you do the following to avoid damaging the skin:
o Stay at home and avoid strenuous exercise
o Avoid any picking or scratching of the skin while it recovers
o Use over-the-counter pain medications or ice packs to reduce pain
o Avoid direct sun exposure and always use the recommended sun SPF 50 protection
o Attend all follow-up appointments with your practitioner to monitor recovery
o Take any prescription medications your healthcare professional prescribes.
Side effects of CO2 laser treatment
As we’ve mentioned, side effects are more severe with the traditional fully ablative CO2 laser. However, with all CO2 lasers, the following side-effects may be expected:
• Infection
• Scarring
• Fragile skin
• Skin peeling and redness
• Milia (small, yellow or white cysts that appear in clusters)
• Hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation
• Reactivating the herpes simplex virus in individuals who suffer from the disease (although prophylactic use of Valacyclovir may prevent this).
Although side effects are rare, they must be considered. Furthermore, you must choose a thoroughly educated and experienced practitioner to obtain optimal results.
Alternatives to CO2 laser
While CO2 laser remains the gold standard, the right treatment for you depends on your skin type, skin concern — and budget. In particular, if you have Asian or darker skin tones, we have other treatments that may be more suitable and safer for your skin type.
Similarly, depending on your skin type and objectives, your practitioner may suggest one of the many other excellent skin treatments available, such as:
• Chemical peels – professional-grade exfoliating peels to improve skin texture, clarity and overall skin health
• Pico (Q-switch) laser – powerful laser pulses within a very short duration that can target pigmentation, melasma and tattoo removal. Highly suitable for Asian and darker skin tones.
• IPL – concentrated beams of light that convert to heat all and target particular areas such as smaller blood vessels, pigmentation, varicose veins and rosacea
• Venus Versa – used for multiple nonsurgical treatments for face and body skin conditions such as pigmentation, sun damage, acne scarring and skin tightening
• Fraxel laser – a non-ablative fractional laser used to treat ageing and damaged skin, such as sun damage, textural irregularities, mild to moderate wrinkles, melasma and actinic keratosis
It all starts with a consultation
with a medically trained doctor...
At Samara Aesthetics, every client starts with a one-on-one consultation with Dr Sam Avarinth, a medically trained cosmetic doctor. He’ll take the time to assess you, listen to questions, and share his knowledge before suggesting suitable, personalised treatment options. There’s no one-size-fits-all, no pushy sales talk — just caring, considered, evidence-based advice.
