Edmonton Dermatology | CO2 Laser
Hi, and welcome back to the Edmonton Dermatology YouTube channel. We are glad you joined us today. Today we are going to discuss the CO2 laser, what it is, and what it does. We will go into some scientific detail. We are going to share lots of great information.
Skincare is essential. Makeup is a choice. It is always interesting to think about taking care of your skin first, as makeup just enhances what you already have. Changes in your skin can sometimes signal changes in your overall health. The inside often shows on the outside. This is a reflection noted by Forefront Dermatology.
What is a CO2 Laser?
CO2 laser is an ablative laser, meaning it cuts the skin. It drills microscopic laser beams into your skin to cause the skin to lose collagen so that it tricks your skin into thinking it needs to rebuild it. Usually your skin rebuilds it as newer, fresher skin. It literally breaks the collagen down into the dermis of the skin. You have three layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the fat cells. The laser does not go all the way to the fat cells, but it goes into the dermis where collagen resides. Because it heats it up down there and drills a hole, your skin responds by healing it and usually heals it with stronger collagen.
What Can a CO2 Laser Treat?
A CO2 laser treats deep lines and deep scars, including very severe acne scarring. It can also treat surgical scars, although there may be other treatments that are easier for that. For acne scarring, it helps peel off the top layers of skin. It also helps with fine lines and deep wrinkles by building collagen from the bottom, while at the same time shaving off the top layers of skin. It truly vaporizes the top layer and builds collagen underneath.
You get a lot of benefits out of one treatment. Severe scarring and deep wrinkles can both be addressed. Sometimes you may need a touch-up afterwards, but typically it is one main treatment. If you have very deep wrinkles or severe scarring, a touch-up may be done, but that does not usually require doing the entire face again.
Number of Treatments
One treatment is generally required. Sometimes there may be a need for a touch-up afterwards, but that might just be a smaller, localized area rather than the entire face. The CO2 laser is not typically used on the neck, but it can be used on the chest. If severe wrinkles are localized, a second pass in that area may be done at a later time to help it match the rest of the skin.
How Does the CO2 Laser Work?
The CO2 laser drills microscopic holes into the skin and cauterizes those holes. It is not a bleeding mess, but it vaporizes the skin, so there is actually skin flowing in the air during treatment. That is why a large mask is worn by the provider. A cooling fan is used during the procedure, and numbing cream is applied to help with discomfort. The laser heats up the dermis, which is the second layer of skin where collagen lives. Collagen loves heat, and that heat encourages the body to send nutrients to the area. The laser ablates or vaporizes the surface skin to promote new skin cell growth from beneath.
Spot Treatments
It is possible to do spot treatments instead of the entire face. For instance, if someone has severe scarring only in the cheeks, just that area can be treated. If a person is younger and does not have deep lines everywhere, but they have severe acne scarring in a localized area, only that area needs to be addressed.
How Long Does the Treatment Take?
Typically, the appointment is scheduled for about two hours. First, a half hour of numbing cream is applied. The provider then shows you how to use a cooling fan that you control during the treatment. The actual laser part can take about an hour and a half, depending on your tolerance. Some people can power through it in as little as 30 to 45 minutes, but it is often more comfortable to take time and go slowly. The procedure can be painful, which is why numbing cream and a cooling fan are used. The approach is adapted to the patient’s comfort level.
How Long Do the CO2 Laser Results Last?
The results can last a very long time, but maintaining good skincare habits is critical. After the treatment, you have a brand-new slate of skin. If you do not keep it healthy and protected, it can revert back. Skincare and treatment together produce the best, longest-lasting results. Sometimes people also have pigment spots along with wrinkles, and while CO2 laser helps with that, you must be diligent with sunscreen. Sun exposure still happens even if you wear sunscreen. The odd little spot may appear again over time. Instead of going over the entire face with CO2 laser again, a gentler laser like IPL might be used to touch up small areas of pigment before they become deep-set.
What to Expect After a CO2 Laser Treatment
After treatment, expect about two weeks of downtime and healing. This includes hiding from sun exposure and possibly staying out of public view because the treatment is invasive. It drills into the skin, leaving it crusty and possibly a bit bloody right after treatment. As days progress, swelling peaks around day three. The crusting starts to peel off, and it can feel greasy. This lasts about a week, and then everything starts to peel off a lot. As the skin continues to heal, it will be pink for the second week.
During this entire two-week period, you must avoid sun exposure. Many people prefer not to be seen in public because others might be concerned about the appearance. Proper aftercare is critical. Even pets must be kept away from your face since it is essentially an open wound, and any bacteria can cause issues.
How to Plan for the CO2 Laser Treatment
Plan for two full weeks of downtime. Have ice packs ready at home. Patients often receive prescriptions prior to treatment. If you have a history of cold sores, antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infections, because your whole face is essentially a wound. A consultation is necessary so that you fully understand the preparation and aftercare instructions.
Consultation Requirements
A consultation is required before undergoing a CO2 laser treatment. It is important to ensure that you are committed and ready for the downtime and the aftercare. The treatment is only one part of the process; proper follow-up care and maintenance are just as essential. Since CO2 laser can give you essentially new skin, part of the consultation involves discussing proper skincare to maintain these results.
While this treatment can produce long-lasting results, it is not something recommended to do repeatedly on a yearly basis. Too much heat can kill fat cells in the skin, leading to volume loss. That can affect facial appearance negatively, and filler only goes so far. Therefore, this treatment is generally considered more of a one-time or rare procedure rather than something you do frequently.
Maintaining Results
As long as you use good skincare, the results can last a long time. The consultation will include suggestions for what to use afterward and how to maintain your results. If occasional issues arise, such as new pigment spots or minor fine lines, less invasive treatments can be used to keep the skin looking its best. Regular maintenance treatments might include IPL for pigment or other gentle laser treatments for fine lines.
Cost Considerations
The cost of a CO2 laser treatment depends on the area being treated. A full-face treatment has a set price. If you are only treating a certain area, the cost can vary depending on factors like the size of the area and the aftercare required. A consultation is needed to provide a specific estimate. At that consultation, the provider can discuss all the details and come up with a plan tailored to your individual needs.
Additional Resources
If you have more questions, you can ask them during your consultation. Over time, before-and-after photos may be provided. Sometimes these are posted on a Facebook page or shown in future YouTube videos. That can help you visualize the improvements and understand what the healing process looks like.
Conclusion
Do not forget to subscribe to Edmonton Dermatology on YouTube and like the video if you found it informative. We hope this information about the CO2 laser treatment helps you understand the process, what it entails, and how to maintain the results. If you are interested, book a consultation to discuss your specific needs. We appreciate you joining us and hope to see you next time.