Fractionated CO2 Laser Treatment

As you get older, our skin inevitably shows signs of aging. The visual evidence of aging may appear due to exposure from the sun, the pull of gravity, or just as a consequence of the natural aging process. Aging skin could result in the appearance of new wrinkles, fine lines, and sun spots, or in the enlargement of pores. These signs of aging can affect your self-esteem and how you feel about the way you look, but you can do something about it. Thanks to technological advancements, you can rejuvenate your skin and remove the signs of premature aging by undergoing a resurfacing treatment with the SmartSkin fractionated CO2 laser at GLOW Medical Spa.

Get the 4-1-1 on the SmartSkin laser

This fractionated C)2 laser applies a series of small pulses of laser energy to your skin, creating microscopic holes and stimulating the collagen underneath your skin. When these holes heal, the new skin revealed will be younger-looking and healthier, reducing the previous signs of aging.

When receiving a fractionated laser treatment in Redwood City at GLOW Medical Spa, you will receive an anesthetic to make sure you do not experience any discomfort during the procedure. This anesthetic usually is a topical that is applied to the skin. You may feel some heat and a slight tingling during the procedure and, once it is complete, your skin probably will feel warm to the touch and have the appearance of a sunburn. After the laser treatment, your skin starts going to work right away, growing new skin cells to replace the aged ones. A few days after undergoing a fractionated CO2 laser treatment in Redwood City, you should start noticing visible signs of the treatment: a more even skin tone, smoother texture, and skin that just looks healthier overall.

Post-care recommendations

You may notice some redness and swelling for a few days after the procedure. This occurs as your collagen regenerates and restores the supporting structure of your skin. You also may need to avoid sun exposure for a while. The good news is that recovery time is significantly less from a procedure with the SmartSkin CO2 laser is much shorter than it would have been to undergo a similar treatment with a fully ablative laser. You can begin applying makeup and resuming your normal lifestyle anywhere from two to seven days after the procedure. If a more aggressive fractionated laser procedure is performed, recovery time will last five to seven days.

Only you can decide if the SmartSkin laser is right for you.

Any of the following aesthetic flaws can be addressed through a fractionated laser treatment: the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, pores, age spots, sun damage, acne scars, or skin discoloration such as undesirable brown or red spots. A SmartSkin procedure also encourages the growth of collagen, helping your skin to look fuller as well as healthier.

If you are interested in the SoftSkin laser procedure, the staff at GLOW Medical Spa will work with you to determine the ideal course of treatment. This may mean two to three sessions, with minimal downtime after each one, or a more aggressive procedure that would require a recovery time of approximately a week. While the downtime with the latter method is longer, you should see more obvious results after just a single treatment.

Whatever course of treatment you choose, you can rest assured the results will last. A laser resurfacing figuratively turns back time and reduces the signs of aging. The results are virtually permanent—which can be good or bad, if an error is committed by whomever is administering the procedure. This is why it is important only to receive a fractionated laser resurfacing from a highly-trained and well-experienced medical professional like Dr. Paul Gorman and Dr. Renee Marshall. This is also one of the advantages that comes with going to a medical spa, rather than a traditional day spa, to improve your appearance. If you have more questions about this procedure or the doctors at GLOW Medical Spa, give us a call today at (650) 241-2209 to schedule a consultation.

GLOW Medical Spa is here to serve the skin and beauty needs of patients in Redwood City and throughout the Bay Area of California.