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Will CO2 Laser Treatment Damage My Skin?

You want to rejuvenate the skin on your face. Maybe you’re dealing with discoloration from years of sun exposure. Or perhaps you’re frustrated by small lines and wrinkles around your eyes and mouth. One method to revitalize your appearance is through CO2 laser treatment.

CO2 laser treatment has been available for a number of years. It’s one of the most reliable skin tightening procedures that produce permanent results. However, many people worry that this type of laser skin resurfacing process will damage their skin. If you’ve been wondering about unwanted side effects, read on to learn more about how CO2 laser treatment works and how you can optimize your outcomes.

CO2 Laser Treatment: A Basic Overview

A medically trained professional can use a traditional CO2 laser to remove the upper layer of facial skin. This causes new layers of skin to develop over a period of weeks. The new skin surface will be smoother and more youthful-looking. It should also be free from blotchiness. Many laser skin resurfacing before and after pictures show dramatic results.

Because the CO2 laser treatment takes away the epidermis, or top level of skin, it leaves the remaining affected skin tender and red. Patients who undergo CO2 laser treatments typically spend up to three weeks recovering. After this initial period, they may still need to wait for months until their skin looks completely natural and healthy.

In other words, CO2 laser treatment is a very big commitment. You can expect to need at least a local anesthetic, if not general anesthesia, to get through each session. However, CO2 lasers are very predictable in terms of what they can do. If you’re not interested in or able to set aside several weeks to recover from CO2 laser treatment, you may prefer to undergo CO2 fractional laser resurfacing instead.

How Does CO2 Fractional Laser Resurfacing Work?

Fractional CO2 lasers remove the top layer of skin just like their more powerful CO2 laser counterparts. The difference, though, is that the laser’s microbeams only remove some columns of skin. This means that a large percentage of your skin remains untouched. As such, you can expect a far faster downtime than you would with regular CO2 lasers.

Though fractional CO2 lasers do not penetrate as wide an area as regular CO2 lasers, they do an excellent job. Many patients are thrilled to have fewer sun damage marks, improved skin textures, and minimized pockets of wrinkles and fine lines. Additionally, patients like being able to get back to their regular routines quickly.

Can Anyone Get CO2 Fractional Laser Resurfacing?

All types of CO2 laser treatment can be done on any skin type, including dark-toned skin. With that being said, not everyone is an immediate candidate. Even if you find a great provider by Googling “laser skin resurfacing near me,” you may be introduced to a different type of skin rejuvenated method better suited for your situation.

For instance, CO2 laser treatment may not be for you if you take certain kinds of medication or are dealing with serious health problems that compromise your immunity. The use of tobacco may interfere with your body’s ability to heal after this or any related type of procedure, too.

The best way to find out if CO2 laser treatment is the best option for you is to talk with a medical professional. That way, you can get a personalized opinion based on your history and goals.

So Will CO2 Laser Treatment Leave Lasting Damage?

The good news is that most patients recover from all types of CO2 laser treatment without experiencing any damage to their skin. You can take measures to ensure that you reduce your chance of negative side effects by:

  • Following pre-procedure and post-procedure guidelines.
  • Contacting your doctor about any concerns immediately.
  • Avoiding the sun after your procedure.
  • Wearing sunscreen and moisturizers.
  • Keeping your face cleansed.

If you would like to get more information about fractional CO2 laser treatment or other popular skin rejuvenating solutions like pulsed dye lasers and microdermabrasion, please contact Colorado Skin & Vein by submitting an online form today. Our team can help improve your skin’s appearance by using the right mix of world-class techniques for your individual needs.

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