Procedure | Surgical
CO2 Lasers (Ablative)
CO2 is generally an ablative type of laser treatment used for various skin issues such as scars, warts, wrinkles, enlarged oil glands, and other conditions. They work by traumatizing the skin through continuous light beams delivered in patterns. This removes the thin outer layer of skin (epidermis), and heats the underlying skin (dermis) with minimal heat damage stimulating the growth of new collagen fibers. As the epidermis heals and regrows, the treated skin appears clearer, smoother, and tighter. Healing may take up to 2 weeks.
The most common areas to treat with the CO2 Laser are the face, neck, legs and hands for:
• Wrinkles.
• Superficial scars caused by acne, surgery, or trauma.
• Color (pigment) changes or defects in the skin, such as liver spots (lentigines), port-wine stains, or café-au-lait spots.
• Lesions or growths in the upper layer of skin (such as actinic keratoses, rhinophyma, or birthmarks).
• Unwanted hair.
Be sure that you are an ideal candidate and your doctor is trained and certified. It is also best to disclose your medical history to reduce the risk of possible complications.
Prior to the procedure, you may be asked to stop any medications and vitamins that you are on. It is also best to stop smoking as smoking would prolong the healing. You may be prescribed some antibiotics and antiviral medication beforehand.
On the day of the procedure, your doctor will apply a topical anesthetic to the area being treated to make you more comfortable. For a larger area, you may be sedated.
Following the procedure, the treated area will be bandaged and you may need to keep it clean, dressing it about 4-5 times a day. Ointments such as petroleum jelly should be applied to prevent scarring.
Treatment may last anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
It is normal to have swelling after the laser treatment. If the face was your treated area, having a higher pillow while you sleep can help elevate your head to ease swelling. Having an ice pack on the area can also help to reduce swelling in the first 24-48 hours.
You may experience some itch or stinging sensation for up to 3 days. Expect the skin to become dry and peel.
Once it has healed, you will see that the skin is rejuvenated.
Do keep the new skin moisturize and well protected from the sun. Limit your time spend in the sun and wear a hat to help protect.
Oil-free makeup is recommended.
Possible complications include:
- burns and other injuries from laser’s heat
- scarring
- changes in skin pigmentation (Darkening/lightening)
- Bacterial infection
- Triggering of herpes cold sores.
