18 KEY CO2 LASER RESURFACING FAQS

18 KEY CO2 LASER RESURFACING FAQS

INTRODUCTION

This article will answer the 18 KEY CO2 LASER RESURFACING FAQS you will want answers to before deciding on the pros and cons of Laser Skin Resurfacing, and why your trusted provider should be Sandia Skin + Face.

Knowledge brings confidence to our decision-making, especially regarding outward-facing topics such as our appearance. We want you to be confident when using any Sandia Skin + Face Service or Product. Please keep reading to build your knowledge base and make an informed decision on your next steps.

1. WHAT IS A CO2 LASER?

A Carbon Dioxide Laser (CO2 Laser) is one of the first gaseous-based lasers developed. Kumar Patel of Bell Labs invented the CO2 Laser in 1964 and is still one of the most useful types of laser. Carbon-dioxide lasers are the highest-power continuous-wave lasers that are currently available. CO2 Lasers are also quite efficient: the ratio of output power to pump power can be as large as 20%. The CO2 laser produces a beam of infrared light, with the principal wavelength bands centering on 9.6 and 10.6 micrometers (um).

Carbon-Dioxide Lasers have become useful in surgical procedures because the water in your skin absorbs this frequency of light very well. Some examples of medical uses are laser surgery and skin resurfacing (“laser facelifts”, which essentially comprise vaporizing the skin to promote collagen formation).

CO2 lasers may treat certain skin conditions, such as Hirsuties Papillaris Genitalis by removing bumps or nodules. CO2 lasers can remove vocal-fold lesions, such as vocal-fold cysts.

At Sandia Skin + Face, we speak with you to understand your goals and work with you to tailor a personal treatment plan to meet them. Please ask us all your questions. Education about our treatments is a key service we provide to our clients.

2. WHAT DOES CO2 LASER RESURFACING DO?

CO2 (Carbon-Dioxide) Lasers create a high-energy beam of light that can precisely remove thin layers of skin with minimal damage to the surrounding structures. These lasers treat sun damage, wrinkles, scars, warts, birthmarks, and similar skin conditions.

We use the Candela CO2RE Fractional Resurfacing Laser.

The system delivers proven, predictable, visible results across indications 1-4, including:

• Enhancing skin tone and texture through skin resurfacing
• Reducing the effects of the sun and aging on the skin
• Smoothing out fine lines, wrinkles, and surgical and acne scars

At Sandia Skin + Face, we speak with you to understand your goals and work with you to tailor a personal treatment plan to meet them. Please ask us all your questions. Education about our treatments is a key service we provide to our clients.

3. IS CO2 LASER RESURFACING WORTH IT?

The state-of-the-art CO2 Fractional Laser is an excellent treatment for those patients who are suffering from severe sun damage, deeper wrinkles, uneven tone and texture, and acne scars.

The CO2 Fractional Laser also offers the visual benefits of skin tightening, a smooth and even complexion, and a radiant glow with as little as one session.

At Sandia Skin + Face, we speak with you to understand your goals and work with you to tailor a personal treatment plan to meet them. Please ask us all your questions. Education about our treatments is a key service we provide to our clients.

4. HOW LONG DOES CO2 LASER RESURFACING TAKE TO HEAL?

It is normal to experience minor skin redness, similar to a sunburn. The redness should not interfere with your normal routine activity. We encourage patients to wear physical sunblock after the treatment.

It is also OK to wear makeup. As your skin recovers, hydration is important, otherwise your skin can feel dry or scaly.

As your skin works to shed its dead skin cells and collagen production increases, you will see brighter and healthier skin within a week or two following treatment. The downtime needed after CO2 Laser Resurfacing is based on your unique needs.

At Sandia Skin + Face, we speak with you to understand your goals and work with you to tailor a personal treatment plan to meet them. Please ask us all your questions. Education about our treatments is a key service we provide to our clients.

5. IS CO2 LASER RESURFACING TREATMENT PAINFUL?

The CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment causes some mild discomfort, but we ensure our patients are comfortable throughout the entire procedure.

The sensation that patients describe is that it is like a “pins and needles” sensation.

At Sandia Skin + Face, we speak with you to understand your goals and work with you to tailor a personal treatment plan to meet them. Please ask us all your questions. Education about our treatments is a key service we provide to our clients.

6. WHAT DOES YOUR FACE LOOK LIKE AFTER CO2 LASER RESURFACING TREATMENT?

Immediately after CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment, your skin will be red, feel sensitive and look sunburned. Redness, swelling, itching or stinging may last for a few days. For a few patients, skin may even appear raw, ooze a yellow liquid, and form blisters.

For most CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatments, we expect treatment redness to fade to a light pink and then disappear within a few weeks to a 2 or 3 months. For full field (sizeable area) CO2 Laser Resurfacing, redness takes longer to resolve and some pink may still be noticeable 4-6 months after treatment.

We can see full CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment results 3-6 months after the initial treatment, after complete skin healing. We can see visual skin improvements from a CO2 Laser resurfacing treatment for many years after treatment.

At Sandia Skin + Face, we speak with you to understand your goals and work with you to tailor a personal treatment plan to meet them. Please ask us all your questions. Education about our treatments is a key service we provide to our clients.

7. HOW OFTEN CAN YOU HAVE CO2 LASER RESURFACING TREATMENTS?

CO2 laser treatments offer a deeper treatment compared to non-ablative treatments. Patients can expect to see results in as little as 2-4 weeks following a session.

Many patients need only one or two sessions to achieve a change in their complexion with touch-up treatments recommended every 6-12 months.

Subsequent treatments approximately 3-5 years later with less aggressive skincare treatments like IPL Photofacials and microdermabrasion in between.

At Sandia Skin + Face, we speak with you to understand your goals and work with you to tailor a personal treatment plan to meet them. Please ask us all your questions. Education about our treatments is a key service we provide to our clients.

8. IS CO2 LASER RESURFACING BETTER THAN A FRAXEL PROCEDURE?

CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment differs from Fraxel Laser because CO2 Laser removes the entire top layer of skin tissue as opposed to targeting specific areas. Both Fraxel and CO2 Laser Resurfacing reduce the appearance of dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, scars, sun damage, texture concerns, and any other aging concerns.

CO2RE Fractional Resurfacing uses laser energy to improve:

• Skin tone and texture
• Sun-damaged skin
• Age spots
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Facial scars
• Scars (traumatic, surgical, or acne)
• Stretch marks
• Skin laxity

At Sandia Skin + Face, we speak with you to understand your goals and work with you to tailor a personal treatment plan to meet them. Please ask us all your questions. Education about our treatments is a key service we provide to our clients.

9. DOES CO2 LASER RESURFACING MAKE YOU LOOK YOUNGER?

CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatments reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles by removing damaged skin layer by layer, turning back the clock to restore a more youthful-looking complexion. Reduction or elimination of scars and other imperfections along with laugh lines, crow’s feet, and other signs of aging can give a more youthful appearance.

If aging, acne, or too much time in the sun has left your face with blotches, scars, wrinkles, or lines, CO2 Laser Resurfacing may help your skin look younger and healthier. Laser skin resurfacing removes aged and damaged skin layer by layer with precision.

A CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment easily resurfaces the skin and quickly reduces the appearance of wrinkles, especially wrinkles around the mouth and on the forehead. CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment is an effective anti-aging option for the vast majority of patients.

At Sandia Skin + Face, we speak with you to understand your goals and work with you to tailor a personal treatment plan to meet them. Please ask us all your questions. Education about our treatments is a key service we provide to our clients.

10. WHICH IS BETTER CHEMICAL PEEL OR LASER RESURFACING?

CO2 laser resurfacing treatments are superior to chemical peels in terms of the controllability and precision of the CO2 laser. A CO2 laser makes it easier to target an acne scar or a few spots on the skin. The CO2 laser is also better for deep collagen remodeling. For addressing wrinkles or sagging skin, CO2 laser resurfacing will be a better option.

It’s a question of which treatment is right for your needs. Both share essentially the same goals: to erase skin imperfections and improve your overall appearance. They both accomplish this by removing the top layer of skin, where concerns like rough texture, fine lines, and discoloration remain visible.

Both offer a host of advantages. Which is the better option for you? The answer depends on how quickly you want to see results and the complexion issues you want removed. Peels, for instance, are beneficial for superficial irregularities like lines around the mouth and under the eyes, mild scars, and acne.

For deeper concerns, such as pigmentation and wrinkles, CO2 laser resurfacing performs better. CO2 lasers are also ideal for remodeling collagen, which happens via the laser’s heat energy. The high temperatures from the laser cause collagen degradation in a way that prompts new synthesis. As collagen production increases, wrinkles disappear, and skin tightens. Clinical studies confirm lasers can cause up to 40 percent tighter skin.

At Sandia Skin + Face, we speak with you to understand your goals and work with you to tailor a personal treatment plan to meet them. Please ask us all your questions. Education about our treatments is a key service we provide to our clients.

11. CAN YOU DO MICRONEEDLING AFTER CO2 LASER RESURFACING?

RF Microneedling before or after fractional CO2 Lasers Resurfacing to provide continued Collagen Elastin stimulation is OK to provide continued collagen and elastin stimulation.

We can combine both RF Microneedling and CO2 Laser Resurfacing to give you better results. It is possible to have CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatments followed by Microneedling on the same day.

However, expect that there might be more after-treatment discomfort because of the sensitivity of the treatment area.

At Sandia Skin + Face, we speak with you to understand your goals and work with you to tailor a personal treatment plan to meet them. Please ask us all your questions. Education about our treatments is a key service we provide to our clients.

12. DOES YOUR SKIN PEEL AFTER CO2 LASER RESURFACING?

After a CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment, you can expect that the treated area will peel. The old superficial layer of skin peels off to reveal the fresh new skin underneath.

Peeling usually starts about 3 days post-treatment and is mostly gone by 7 to 10 days. During this time, the treated area may turn a red or blackish color, and a crust may form. The crust should slowly go away within 1 to 2 weeks of treatment.

After the peeling process is completed, the new, rejuvenated skin will be pink, but it will gradually lighten over two to three months.

For the full abatement of the pinkness color, it may take up to a year. It is very important to protect your skin during this time of healing.

At Sandia Skin + Face, we speak with you to understand your goals and work with you to tailor a personal treatment plan to meet them. Please ask us all your questions. Education about our treatments is a key service we provide to our clients.

13. DOES CO2 LASER RESURFACING REMOVE WRINKLES?

CO2 Laser Resurfacing is a safe and effective treatment for all kinds of wrinkles. A CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment easily resurfaces the skin and quickly reduces the appearance of wrinkles, especially wrinkles around the mouth and on the forehead.

CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatment is an effective option for the vast majority of patients. CO2 Laser Resurfacing is appropriate to treat wrinkles, scars, warts, birthmarks, enlarged oil glands on the nose (rhinophyma), skin cancer, and other conditions.

CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatments for resurfacing skin will remove wrinkles. Depending on the type of laser system being used and how well your body responds to treatment, CO2 Laser Resurfacing treatments can reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles, smooth out moderate wrinkles, and eliminate mild wrinkles.

At Sandia Skin + Face, we speak with you to understand your goals and work with you to tailor a personal treatment plan to meet your goals. Please ask us all your questions. Education on our treatments is a key service we provide to our clients.

14. HOW SHOULD I SLEEP AFTER CO2 LASER RESURFACING?

After CO2 Laser Resurfacing, sleep with your head elevated (above the heart). Sleep using pillows surrounding your head and body, or in a recliner for the first night to help reduce swelling.

Avoid rolling onto your face. Sleeping on your back for the first two weeks helps to ensure this.

During the day, try to avoid bending forward or lowering your head down below the level of your heart. If facial swelling persists, continue to sleep with the head elevated until the facial swelling abates.

Apply cold compresses to the treated areas of the face to help with comfort and swelling.

At Sandia Skin + Face, we speak with you to understand your goals and work with you to tailor a personal treatment plan to meet them. Please ask us all your questions. Education about our treatments is a key service we provide to our clients.

15. HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR A CO2 LASER RESURFACING TREATMENT?

• Avoid tanning or heavy sun exposure. Use sunscreen daily for four weeks before treatment.
• Avoid deep facial peel procedures (chemical peels, laser resurfacing, and dermabrasion) for four weeks before treatment.
• Avoid medications that cause photosensitivity (doxycycline, minocycline) for at least 72 hours prior to treatment.
• To prepare your skin for CO2 laser resurfacing, we may ask you to apply a topical retinoid on your skin for about four weeks before your procedure.
• If you have a history of herpes (oral cold sores, genital) or shingles in the treatment area, let your doctor know and start your antiviral medication (valacyclovir, acyclovir) as directed (usually two days before treatment and continue for three days after treatment).

At Sandia Skin + Face, we speak with you to understand your goals and work with you to tailor a personal treatment plan to meet them. Please ask us all your questions. Education about our treatments is a key service we provide to our clients.

16. WHAT SHOULD I AVOID AFTER A CO2 LASER RESURFACING TREATMENT?

• Don’t have treatments less than 4 to 6 weeks apart.
• Don’t tan. This may increase your risk of hypopigmentation (light spots), as well as burns.
• Don’t use tanning lotions. They may cause rashes, burns, and bumps.
• Don’t apply lotions with fragrances or perfumes to the treatment area as skin redness discoloration, and irritation can occur.
• Avoid body scrubs for at least a few days as it irritates your skin.

At Sandia Skin + Face, we speak with you to understand your goals and work with you to tailor a personal treatment plan to meet them. Please ask us all your questions. Education about our treatments is a key service we provide to our clients.

17. WHAT ARE CO2 LASER RESURFACING RISKS?

• Acne flares may occur after laser resurfacing. Acne may resolve on its own. Alternatively, acne treatment with conventional acne therapies is optional.
• Hyperpigmentation, and more rarely, hypopigmentation, in the laser-treated areas. Treatment of the hyperpigmented areas may be with bleaching cream to ease the fading of the pigment. Hypopigmentation is more difficult to treat.
• Reactivation of a herpes simplex cold sore may occur, especially after laser resurfacing around the mouth. We can prevent this by giving an antiviral medicine prior to the surgery and continuing it for seven to 10 days post-procedure.
• We can prevent bacterial infections by taking an antibiotic prior to the surgery and continuing for seven to 10 days post-procedure.
• Postoperative swelling is to be expected. Reduction by administration of intramuscular steroids is optional.
• Milia, which are small white bumps or cysts, may appear in the laser-treated areas during healing. Remove them by gentle cleansing with a washcloth or by a dermatologist in the office by nicking the surface with a blade and expressing the cyst material out of the skin.
• Scarring, although rare, may occur in laser-treated areas.

At Sandia Skin + Face, we speak with you to understand your goals and work with you to tailor a personal treatment plan to meet them. Please ask us all your questions. Education about our treatments is a key service we provide to our clients.

18. IS CO2 LASER RESURFACING COVERED BY INSURANCE?

CO2 Laser Resurfacing is a Cosmetic Procedure and for most policyholders NOT covered by insurance.

Most insurance companies do not cover any type of cosmetic work performed purely for cosmetic reasons, as these procedures are Elective Procedures and not medically necessary.

At Sandia Skin + Face, we speak with you to understand your goals and work with you to tailor a personal treatment plan to meet them. Please ask us all your questions. Education about our treatments is a key service we provide to our clients.

CO2 LASER RESURFACING BEFORE AND AFTER IMAGES.

CO2 LASER SKIN RESURFACING

CO2 LASER SKIN RESURFACING

CO2 LASER SKIN RESURFACING

CO2 LASER SKIN RESURFACING

CO2 LASER SKIN RESURFACING

CONSULTATIONS ALWAYS COME FIRST AT SANDIA SKIN + FACE

Before any procedure at Sandia Skin + Face, our Master Injector and Nurse Practitioner, Tonya C. Tuggle, provides a full consultation where you can express all your aesthetic concerns, and she can learn about your expectations. Tonya will then discuss potential treatment options for you, including non-invasive alternatives.

If CO2 Laser Resurfacing is your goal, Nurse Practitioner Tonya C. Tuggle will meet with you, and together, will determine your plan.

The Final Decision is 100% Yours!

If you have questions, you can call our Sandia Skin + Face office at +1.505.291.9600 or DM us on any of our social media accounts (@sandiaskinface). You can also fill out our easy online booking tool to schedule a consultation! Let us know if you found your questions answered in this article.

If you have Oral Surgery questions, you can call our Sandia Oral Surgery office at +1.505.291.9600. Dr. Eric Tuggle manages a wide variety of problems relating to the mouth, teeth, and facial regions.

CONCLUSION: 18 KEY CO2 LASER RESURFACING FAQS

You should now be on a firm footing with our 18 KEY CO2 LASER RESURFACING FAQS article and ready to make your appointment!

If we’ve missed questions in our 18 KEY CO2 LASER RESURFACING FAQS article that you need answers to make your appointment decision, you can tap this link to call us (+1.505.291.9600), or you can ask us a question on our Google Business Profile listing via this link: https://bit.ly/34EFbVP.

At Sandia Skin + Face in Albuquerque, NM, we look forward to being your Trusted Medical Spa Services provider. Let us know how we can earn your trust!