CO2 Laser Therapy
Flawless skin is always in vogue. Sadly, little imperfections and major skin issues can dramatically change our reflection in a mirror. Scars, moles, large pores, wrinkles, and other unsightly additions are unlikely to put a smile on your face but don’t despair. Modern aesthetic procedures with the evolution of science are able to restore the beauty of your skin. Forget about costly surgical procedures that have months of downtime. CO2 therapy can be as effective as going under the knife, but it is much safer, faster, and affordable with a lot less downtime.
What is CO2 Laser Therapy?
Before opting for CO2 treatments, you should know that it involves exposing the skin to a very intense laser. Lasers used in aesthetic procedures emit high-energy light of certain wavelengths. In carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers, a blend of three gases (CO2, nitrogen, and helium) creates a medium that produces light in the infrared spectrum. When hitting a target area, this light immediately heats the skin cells and evaporates the water they contain, which leads to cell destruction. Basically, CO2 lasers remove the outer layer of skin, and this procedure is known as skin resurfacing. Patients with discoloration from the sun or even from acne can have the area treated and leave you with amazing results. Brown pigmented skin and acne scarring can be removed with just a few treatments.
The use of a CO2 Laser ablates the skin which stimulates our body to begin collagen synthesis to heal the areas targeted by the CO2 laser beam. Collagen, which is the protein that gives our skin firmness and smoothness, works its magic to restore a youthful and glowing appearance. Besides, the removal of older skin (which is often damaged by sun radiation or cancer) there is stimulation the growth of new, healthier tissues.
The downside with CO2 laser therapy has always been the amount of downtime a patient needs. Technology has previously struggled to deliver a short pulse to the skin without lingering heat to damage the surrounding skin. This is where the SmartXide Tetra CO2 laser really shines. At Pretty Girl Aesthetics we carry this CO2 laser from DEKA a global leader in aesthetic technology. We are able to deliver precise and short pulses which create superficial skin resurfacing results without damaging the surrounding skin. Patients get an immediate aesthetic effect without downtime.
What are the Benefits of CO2 Laser Therapy?
Carbon dioxide laser treatment has two major goals: to improve the overall quality of the skin and eliminate undesirable skin conditions.
When it comes to rejuvenating your look, CO2 Laser therapy can provide the following:
– Reduce both fine lines and moderately deep wrinkles
– Make crow’s feet less apparent
– Tighten sagging skin
– Even out skin tone and texture
– Reduce pore size
These effects are possible because of the surge of collagen the body produces in response to the removed tissues due to the CO2 laser. Collagen development begins in the deeper layers of the dermis and wrinkles and lines disappear as the collagen builds leaving you with much smoother skin.
Along with that, CO2 laser skin resurfacing is an excellent choice to combat various skin concerns including:
– scars including acne scarring;
– enlarged pores and oil glands;
– warts;
– moles and birthmarks;
– actinic keratosis;
– stretch marks;
– pigmentation (age spots, sun damage, freckles, melasma, etc.)
These benefits of carbon dioxide laser therapy are achieved by destroying damaged skin cells, scar tissue, and unwanted growths. Shortly after, our body will replace those with new cells deprived of structural damage. Thus, skin resurfacing can even help prevent the development of skin cancer in the early stages.
What is Cool Peel and What Can I Expect?
Tetra CO2 is the only laser that features CoolPeel. This revolutionary technology delivers minimally-invasive non-surgical treatment that brings stunning results with minimal recovery time.
CoolPeel takes advantage of high-power short impulses that ensure controlled and precise damage in the superficial layers (epidermis) and heating of deeper layers (dermis) of the skin. These impulses affect only the target area leaving surrounding tissues intact. Besides, this type of CO2 therapy doesn’t excessively heat the skin meaning it is suitable for people with a dark complexion. All of this results in fewer and less pronounced side effects of treatment (redness, swelling, skin flaking, etc.) and shorter downtime.
What to Expect with Tetra CO2 Treatment?
The initial phase of CO2 laser treatment is a consultation with our aesthetician or nurse. We would like to find out what worries you about your skin as well as explain what laser treatment is capable of and how it works. We will then assess the condition of your skin to understand whether you’re a good candidate for the procedure.
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If everything is alright, we will take pictures of your skin before the treatment and explain how you should prepare yourself for the next phase (this includes staying away from sun exposure and refusal of certain medications and skin care products).
On your next visit, we will prepare your skin for treatment. First, we will cleanse your skin and use a numbing cream in combination with our Sub-Z cryotherapy to lessen any pain you might feel. We will then start treatment over the area we have marked off. In most cases, it will take up to 15 minutes. When it is done, we will provide you with a detailed plan on what to do and what to use in the post-treatment stage.
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Within a couple of days after the procedure, your skin may appear reddish akin to sunburn. It may also feel dry and flaky. This is a normal reaction to damage. To promote healing and reduce unpleasant sensations, you should stay hydrated, use special skincare products, and avoid exposure to ultraviolet light. We will make sure you have what you need to take care of your skin.
What is the Recovery Time?
It all depends on the intensity of the treatment. Because Tetra CO2 laser allows adjusting the power and aggressiveness of impulses, you can choose the desired downtime. If you opt for mild treatment, it will take 2-3 days to recover. Should you opt for a more intense procedure to achieve a more dramatic effect, downtime can span about a week to even a month. Most patients typically opt for 3-4 treatments of the Cool Peel which gives you the same result as a much deeper peel however without the downtime.
