Laser treatments for aesthetic medicine have become a very popular choice over the past decade.  But what actually is a laser and how do you know what treatment to choose for yourself?  Each laser has a specific target.  For some lasers, it is hemoglobin (a component of blood) therefore, targeting redness and vessels.  For other lasers, it is melanin (or coloration to the skin) which targets melasma and sunspots.  For the CO2 laser, the target is a bit different.  It targets water, which is found in all soft tissues.  Therefore, the CO2 laser diffusely targets skin not just a certain pigment.  This is why the CO2 laser is the “big gun” against skin aging.  It can target fine lines and deeper wrinkles, sun spots, pigment problems, increased pore size, scarring, dry skin, and the list goes on and on.

So what does the CO2 laser actually do when it targets water?  It ablates (or focally damages) the epidermis, thereby inducing regrowth of a young-looking epidermis and stimulating collagen growth and remodeling in the dermis.  In terms of your skin, this means, a fresh complexion, reduce age spots and photodamage, and overall improved fine lines, wrinkles, and scarring. 

If you decide to proceed with a CO2 laser treatment, there are a few things you should know:

1. You want to plan for a “social downtime” of at minimum 3-4 days, and possibly 7-10 days. After the procedure, your skin will be very pink or red, with swelling and skin peeling and flaking.  It is during this healing time that it is imperative you avoid direct sunlight for 2 weeks and keep up with an aggressive moisturization regimen.
2. You will need to take an anti-viral medication for 7 days following the procedure. Because the CO2 laser leaves your skin’s defense mechanism altered, you want to protect it from common viral infections such as the cold-sore virus.
3. There is some pain associated with the treatment, but with aggressive topical anesthesia (just a topical cream) and a few local injections of anesthesia, most find the procedure surprisingly comfortable. This means that you do not have to undergo risky general anesthesia and can even drive yourself home!
4. Whenever you book an advanced aesthetic procedure, be sure you are visiting a trusted physician, particularly a board-certified dermatologist. During dermatology residency (post-graduate training), dermatologists learn the physics behind all laser treatments and perform these treatments daily for 4 years before becoming board-certified.  Many other general physicians or healthcare providers solely attend a weekend course to learn about a laser and have aestheticians perform these procedures.  Although we respect all medical professionals, we feel advanced training helps keep patients safe. 

If you are interested in learning more about CO2 laser treatments, or any other aesthetic concern, call, email, or book online today with Southern Vanity for a free consultation with a board-certified dermatologist.