If every face tells a story, what is your face saying about you? Is it telling the world you are older than you are (or feel). Years of exposure to the sun, pollution, gravity and even your own unique facial movements results in fine lines and wrinkles, red and brown spots and coarse dull skin. The right skin care regime, sunscreen and injectable cosmetic products like Botox and dermal fillers can all help slow the sands of time but if you want to turn back the clock you are going to have to be more aggressive. Laser skin-resurfacing treatment using carbon dioxide (CO2) fractional laser, such as the Smart Skin CO2, has become the gold standard in non-surgical wrinkle removal and skin resurfacing.
Carbon dioxide laser therapy has been available since the 1960s and rapidly became the most widely used laser in dermatologic practice. From its introduction there was no doubt the therapy worked, however, the recovery time and side effects were unacceptable to many women. With the introduction of fractional photothermalysis in 2004, carbon dioxide laser therapy was revolutionized. CO2 fractional laser therapy uses light beams that are either pulsed or rapidly scattered with each small beam creating a micro-zone of ablation (MZA) in the skin leaving surrounding tissue untouched. You get the same great results seen with the traditional ablative resurfacing of the 1960s with shorter recovery time and faster healing due to the healthy tissue surrounding the MZAs.
Put more simply, CO2 fractional laser works by limiting the heat damage to the skin and allowing small beams of energy light to bore tiny holes in the skin. These tiny holes stimulate your body's natural collagen production. Remember the natural aging process combined with environmental exposures destroy the collagen our skin depends on to remain plump and line free. By encouraging new collagen production, CO2 fractional laser regenerates healthy skin below the surface resulting in smoother, more youthful appearance. The benefits of CO2 fractional laser aren't limited to wrinkle reduction. CO2 fractional laser therapy has also been proven effective in correcting photo damage resulting from sun exposure, uneven pigmentation and acne scarring as well as visibly improving skin tone and texture.
Although the face is the most commonly treated area, neck, declotte, and hand are also candidates for CO2 fractional therapy. Or you can elect to treat smaller areas, such as fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth and eyes. Your physician may recommend pre-treatment with topical tretinoin or hydroquinone for a few weeks prior to the procedure to enhance the effects of the laser. Depending on the size of the treatment area, the procedure takes between 30 to 60 minutes and is frequently performed using topical anesthesia, though some physicians may elect to use IV sedation or general anesthesia. You can expect some redness and swelling immediately after the procedure and average down time is less than a week. You will start seeing dramatic improvement as early as 10-14 days following the procedure and ongoing changes can occur for several months, as the collagen rejuvenation process takes full effect. Occasionally, patients need 2 or 3 treatments to obtain desired results, it really depends on the state of your skin and your goal. The effects of CO2 fractional laser therapy can last for years but remember, your skin will continue to age, so being vigilant with your sunscreen and a quality skin care regiment is essential to help maintain your results.
Are you ready for smoother, younger appearing skin, smaller pores, less noticeable lines, wrinkles, and scars, and more even skin tone? CO2 fractional laser offers all of this in one procedure. Contact us here at GLOW to learn more about our CO2 fractional laser, the Smart Skin CO2, and schedule your complimentary consultation.
