Collagen production declines and that leads to a breakdown of your skin’s underlying structure. Collagen degradation causes the skin to lose elasticity and strength, which results in sagging skin and wrinkles. Environmental threats like UV exposure and pollution can further deteriorate the skin and cause skin discoloration. Fractional CO2 laser treatments are like chemical peels and dermabrasions, but with minimal heat damage. To find out more, contact the Institute of Aesthetic Surgery in Celebration.
What is CO2 Laser Resurfacing?
The method of CO2 laser treatments uses lasers to vaporize the skin cells that have been damaged, allowing new, more healthy cells to replace the older ones. This method of skin resurfacing has been used to treat wrinkles, scars, warts, enlarged oil glands on the nose and other skin issues. Treatment by CO2 laser treatments resurfacing can help erase pigmentation irregularities and drastically reduce the appearance of wrinkles so that your skin looks younger and healthier.
How It Works
The newest version of CO2 Laser Treatments resurfacing uses very short pulsed light energy or continuous light beams that are delivered in a scanning pattern to remove thin layers of skin with minimal heat damage. The treatment uses a light beam that is pulsed or scattered at a very high rate so that there is minimal heat damage.
What To Expect
If only a partial area of the face is being treated, it is possible to only use a local anesthetic to relieve any discomfort for the patient. If the entire face is being treated, then general anesthesia may be used. Immediately after the treatment, an ointment and bandage will be applied. Our surgeon will show the patient how to keep the newly revealed skin clean with a saline or a diluted vinegar solution and will also provide an ointment to apply regularly while healing occurs.
Healing and complete recovery typically takes two weeks, and there will be noticeable redness, swelling, and tenderness. The redness will remain for a few months after the treatment. Patients can use makeup to minimize the redness after the two week recovery period. When the redness fades, there should be a noticeably more youthful appearance with smoother and tighter skin, along with a reduction in wrinkles and skin discoloration. Doctors strongly encourage daily sunscreen application with a broad-spectrum sunscreen of. Liberal use of moisturizers will also help to maintain the benefits of the carbon dioxide laser treatment.
Medical professionals encourage patients who are smokers to stop smoking before the treatment and for the few weeks of recovery after the treatment to allow the body to heal faster.
The Benefits of CO2 Laser Treatments
This effective treatment offers several benefits other than making skin youthful and wrinkle-free. In fact, CO2 resurfacing is one of the best methods for reducing scarring from acne and resurfacing facial skin damaged by sun exposure. It stimulates the body’s natural collagen renewal process and speeds up the healing process because of the targeted precision treatment. Practitioners provide adjustable treatments to meet individual needs, desired recovery time, and give individual results because the doctor can control the intensity of the treatment.
To schedule a consultation and find out if CO2 laser treatment is right for you, contact the Institute of Aesthetic Surgery to schedule your consultation. We serve Orlando, Lake Nona, Altamonte Springs, Celebration, and the surround areas. Give us a call today!