Subodha Skin Clinic

Fractional CO2 Laser

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Fractional or “pixilated” carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers are one of the newest advances in non-surgical skin rejuvenation treatments. The carbon dioxide laser has the longest wavelength of all the lasers on the market and may be used safely on darker skin types with appropriate changes within the settings.

Fractional carbon dioxide lasers excel at treating deeper wrinkles, more severe textural changes from sun damage, wrinkles, blotchiness, acne scars, and surgical or traumatic scars. It is often used on the delicate eyelid skin and around the mouth. It is additionally a very effective treatment for sun damage and precancerous growths.

How does the fractional CO2 laser work?

The fractional CO2 laser takes the carbon dioxide laser beam and fractionates, or pixelates that beam into thousands of small little shafts of light. These small shafts of light penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin. The skin then repairs those small shafts by pushing out the old sun damaged skin and replacing it with new skin. The “collateral” heat damage also helps to shrink existing collagen.

How does this laser work for acne scars and other scars?

CO2 lasers have always been very effective for acne and different scars and the fractional CO2 is no exception. It remains to be seen if it’s as effective as the traditional CO2. However, as the settings for the “DOT” or “Deep Fx” for both acne, surgical and traumatic scars keep being improved, several of us assume that results are going to be as good without several of the risks with the older forms of this laser. Visit an expert if scars are your issue.

What is the healing time?

After the treatment, first twenty four hours your skin might feel like it’s sunburnt. Ice packs/frozen peas are used 5-10 minutes per hour for the first 5-6 hours.

Your skin can peel for 2-7 days and can be pink for three to six weeks. This healing all depends on how deep your treatment is. After a week or so, you’ll wear make-up to hide the pink. Rarely, bruising may develop, which can take up to 2 weeks to resolve.