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Laser Treatments
CO2 Laser
What Is CO2 Laser?
CO2 laser skin resurfacing is used to treat wrinkles, scars, warts, birthmarks, enlarged oil glands on the nose (rhinophyma), skin cancer, and other conditions. The technique directs short, concentrated pulsating beams of light at irregular skin. Laser skin resurfacing removes skin very precisely, layer by layer. This popular procedure is known by several other names, including lasabrasion, laser peel or laser vaporization.
How Is This Treatment Performed?
CO2 laser resurfacing is performed on an outpatient basis, using local anesthesia (pain relief at the site of the procedure) in combination with orally- or intravenously-administered sedative medications. Wrinkles around the eyes, mouth or forehead may be treated individually, or a full-face laserabrasion may be performed. A partial-face lasabrasion takes 30-45 minutes and the full-face treatment takes 1-1/2 to 2 hours.
What Can Patients Expect Following Treatment?
Following laser resurfacing, a sterile dressing is applied to the treatment sites. When the dressings are removed (usually after 1 to 3 days), the patient then cleans the treated areas two to five times a day with cool tap water saline or a dilute vinegar solution. An ointment such as Vaseline, Eucerin or Aquaphor is then applied. This wound care is intended to prevent any scab formation. In general, the areas heal in 10-21 days, depending on the nature of the condition that was treated. An antibacterial and antibiotic are also prescribes during the healing process.
How Many Treatments Are Required?
Most people require only one procedure. Those with more complicated conditions may need more.
Before and After Gallery
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Cosmetic Dermatalogy - CO2 Laser