If you’re just beginning to explore the possibilities of laser skin treatments, it can all seem a bit confusing. A CO2 laser treatment uses advanced laser technology to remove the outer layers of the skin, which are typically damaged either from the natural ageing process or from environmental factors such as sun exposure or smoking.
The best way to have your questions answered will be through the expertise available to you during a consultation with a plastic surgeon or other qualified medical professional trained in administering these kinds of treatments, but until then, let’s examine how a CO2 laser skin treatment works, what kind of patient is the ideal candidate, and what kinds of benefits this treatment can yield for most patients.
How Does A CO2 Laser For Skin Resurfacing Work?
CO2 laser skin treatments work by removing the upper layers of the skin. This reveals the skin beneath, which then begins to heal. In doing so, new, healthier, and more youthful-looking skin is produced naturally by the body. This non-surgical treatment is used to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles in the skin, to remove acne or acne scars, and even to correct the irregularities of pigmentation that some patients suffer from. In some cases, results can be seen after a single appointment, but many patients will need to have multiple appointments before seeing their final outcome—it depends on the patient’s anatomy and goals. A CO2 laser skin treatment is very versatile in the hands of a skilled professional.
What Does Fractionated Mean?
Fractionated in this case means that the technique used to apply the CO2 laser will be “fractional”, that is, that the laser will be used to remove skin in columns. This allows the unaffected skin around the areas that have been targeted to assist in the healing process. This can make the recovery process for CO2 laser skin treatment substantially shorter than traditional laser treatments.
Am I A Candidate For CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing?
Possibly. If you have sun spots, age spots, irregularities in your pigmentation, rosacea, acne, acne scars, lines, wrinkles, or creases in your skin, then yes, you very well may be an excellent candidate for this kind of laser treatment. To be sure, you’ll need to have a consultation and subsequent physical evaluation by a qualified medical professional trained in administering CO2 laser skin resurfacing treatments.
How Can I Learn More About This Procedure?
If you’d like to learn more about how fractional (or fractionated) CO2 laser skin resurfacing can benefit you and help you achieve your specific aesthetic goals, it all begins with a consultation with a qualified medical professional. During the consultation, you’ll be able to have questions answered as they pertain to your unique anatomy and skin. Because everyone is different, the way that the treatment is administered differs from one patient to another. You may be a good candidate for CO2 laser skin resurfacing, but if not, a well-trained medical practitioner will be able to suggest alternative treatments to help you reach your goals.
Dr. Cory Torgerson is an award-winning plastic surgeon with a laser clinic in Toronto. In addition to laser skin treatments, the doctor is a highly trained surgeon who has helped thousands of Canadians, residents of the United States, and individuals who have traveled from abroad to reach their aesthetic goals. If you’d like to learn more and consider becoming his next patient, please feel warmly welcomed to call (647) 343-0207 and schedule an appointment for an initial consultation today.