CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing Treatment in Bangalore

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Fractional Laser Resurfacing, removes layers of skin tissue in a fractionated method (columns of skin are removed, leaving the skin surrounding each column intact to aid in healing) to help reduce age-spots (also called sunspots, freckles, liver spots, and lentigines), fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, discoloration, skin laxity, textural irregularities, dull tone, and a thinned collagen layer of the face, neck, and chest.

Laser Resurfacing is the best treatment if you wish to get the most results with one treatment. If you have the ability to take some time to heal (7-10 days), having this one treatment is like having multiple other non-invasive treatments at once. It is also the best single treatment for advanced skin damage and wrinkling.

CO2 Fractional Resurfacing is an office procedure that requires pre and post-treatment medications to ensure proper healing and comfort during the procedure. Discomfort varies on the depth of the treatment. We may apply a topical anesthetic to reduce discomfort. After the treatment, most patients describe the post-procedure feeling as a bad sunburn for about 12 hours to 2 days. Please do follow the instructions for all other pain prescribed medication is needed post treatment. Occasionally, in an area that cannot be treated aggressively, we may need to do more than one treatment to optimize results.

Maintenance treatments may also be necessary to maintain results, especially if the sun is not avoided or proper skincare is not used. Occasionally, even with the best care, another treatment may be necessary for a few years (in the area around the eyes, it may only be 1-2 years).

1. How do I know if I need CO2 LASER?

Anyone who has sun damaged, ageing skin, acne scars, trauma or burn scars, irregularly pigmented skin, wrinkles, sagging, irregular texture of the skin or other skin condition that could be expected to be improved with this treatment that understands the risks, costs and time necessary to achieve the full benefit of the procedure and who has realistic expectations of the ultimate outcome.

The reason is that this is an aggressive treatment that does result in prolonged healing of the surface. Pigmented skin tends to heal with hyperpigmentation and that does occur with this procedure upwards of 30% of the time. It can take many months of topical treatments and sometimes additional laser treatments to correct this. If this treatment is to be undertaken on dark skin, it will need to be part of a series of gentler treatments and not a single treatment. This is also not a treatment for any woman who is pregnant or anyone who has been treated with isotretinoin within 6 months. In addition, if there are any conditions resulting in delayed or abnormal healing or a history of cold sores or herpes virus it is important to tell your physician at the pre-treatment stage to prevent complications.

2. How does CO2 fractional laser work?

The Carbon Dioxide (C02) Fractional Laser Resurfacing removes layers of skin tissue in a fractionated method (columns of skin are removed, leaving the skin surrounding each column intact to aid in healing) to help reduce “age-spots” (also called sun freckles, liver spots, and lentigines), fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, uneven coloration, skin laxity, textural irregularities, dull tone, and a thinned collagen layer of the face, neck, and chest, uneven skin tone, acne scars etc.

3. What benefits can I expect?

Results that are expected are a very significant and noticeable reduction in the components of sun damaged skin such as “age-spots” (also called sun freckles, liver spots, and lentigines), fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, uneven coloration, skin laxity, textural irregularities, dull tone, and a thinned collagen layer. The skin will continue to improve for a period of 6 months following the procedure provided proper skincare is used and sun exposure is minimized. Sometimes the results are not significant until the 6th and the 9th month, depending on the person’s age, their aftercare routine and their history of smoking.

4. What are the risks and side effects?

The main negative of the CO2 laser is the downtime. Depending on the area and the aggressiveness of the treatment, it will take 7-14 days for the skin to heal. This downtime will include significant redness crusting, dryness, and peeling and flaking (it is important to keep the skin moist after treatment). This does mean that social and work activities will have to be curtailed during this time, although you should be perfectly capable of working from home after the first day or two. Proper usage of Sunscreens and Moisturisers will be recommended by the attending physician.

5. How will I look and feel after the treatment?

After the first day, your skin will be raw and you will follow the instructions as to how to keep it healing maximally. We usually see you on the third day after the procedure to ensure that healing is going according to plan. The skin looks dull, brownish-black on the treated site for 1 week. It is most important to follow the instructions given to you by your provider. A strict skincare regimen and sun avoidance is recommended for best healing and optimal results for a period of 6 months following treatment. Failure to do so may result in suboptimal results or side effects such as listed above. Your skin will continue to age as time goes on due to sun exposure, environmental stress, overall health and lifestyle choices such as smoking. To maintain your results we recommend a healthy skincare routine including cosmeceutical products, medical-grade facials, and other procedures as directed by your dermatologist.

6. Can this be combined with other treatments?

Laser CO2 treatment can be combined with other treatments although we cannot do other treatments in the same area(s) treated on the same day. Many choose to have Wrinkle Relaxers such as Botulinum Toxin (BOTOX) to reduce unwanted wrinkles caused by muscle contraction in addition to having Dermal Fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm and Boletero to plump and fill areas where volume has been lost such as the cheeks, nasolabial folds, lower eyelids and lips.