Skin regeneration benefits and treatment costs

Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser resurfacing treatment is a cosmetic and medical treatment for the skin. Health care providers use it to treat cosmetic problems such as wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and loose skin. Medical uses include the removal of seborrheic keratosis (skin warts), squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen’s disease), rhinophyma (a severe form of rosacea), and melasma.

This article will cover the benefits and potential side effects of CO2 laser treatments. He will also discuss costs and how to find the right provider to perform the treatment.

Before CO2 Laser Resurfacing: What You Need to Know

The CO2 laser is a popular treatment based on its ability to successfully treat many different types of skin conditions.

The laser works by ablating (removing) the top layers of skin, which promotes new skin cell growth and collagen production. Collagen is a structural protein in the skin.

A laser is a beam of light that passes through different substances, causing the peaks and troughs of the wavelength of the light to line up and become a coherent, single-frequency, very powerful beam of light. The frequency of the beam determines what will absorb it. The CO2 laser is absorbed by water. On average, the body is 60% water.

When the CO2 laser beam hits the skin, the temperature of the water molecules in the cells instantly rises to double the temperature that water needs to boil, vaporizing the tissue. This results in much less bleeding compared to other lasers. Heat also helps stimulate the production of skin cells deep within the skin.

CO2 lasers can treat deeper skin concerns as well as more superficial concerns. These may include:

• Scars
• Wrinkles
• Uneven skin tone
• Seborrheic keratosis
• Skin tags

A common use of CO2 lasers is to reduce the appearance of scars. This includes scars from acne, chickenpox, and other causes, although other types of lasers treat surgical and traumatic scars more commonly.

After CO2 laser resurfacing: Possible results

The results of CO2 laser treatment will vary depending on skin concerns and desired results. Below is a list of possible CO2 laser treatment results.

Uniform skin color

CO2 laser treatment can even out the appearance of the skin. It can provide an even complexion by removing sun-damaged layers of skin to allow new, healthy skin to surface.

Compared to other methods of evening out skin tone, the CO2 laser has better control over the depth, area and amount of laser damage.

Tighter skin

One benefit of CO2 lasers is that it stimulates collagen production to tighten the skin. This reduces the appearance of wrinkles and gives the skin better elasticity and support to reduce sagging.

Reduced scar appearance

The CO2 laser can reduce the appearance of fine scars (such as acne scars) and very superficial scars by removing the top layers of skin to allow new skin to grow and blend with the surrounding skin. The laser also stimulates collagen production under the scar.

Compared to dermabrasion, another scar reduction treatment, the CO2 laser causes less bleeding and crusting.

Reduced appearance of wrinkles

Wrinkle reduction is another benefit of the CO2 laser. Just as it does for other conditions, the laser stimulates collagen production to make the skin tighter and more elastic. By removing the top layers of skin, the appearance of the wrinkle becomes less pronounced and appears smoother.

CO2 laser side effects

Side effects of a CO2 laser can include redness, swelling, and irritation after treatment.

There is a possibility of unwanted pigment (color) changes in the skin. This can include post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (a darkening of the skin that is treatable but may take a long time to clear). Hypopigmentation (loss of skin color), a permanent side effect in which the affected skin appears white, may also occur.

Scarring will occur if the laser is over-applied and removes too much of the skin layers. This can cause severe disfigurement, requiring treatment such as steroid injections and surgical scar repair. Infection—herpetic, bacterial, and yeast—can also cause problems.

It is important to discuss all possible side effects with a healthcare provider to determine if the benefits outweigh the risks in your particular situation.

Skin after treatment

After CO2 laser treatment the skin may feel tight, raw and sunburnt. The skin will also peel off the layers of skin that were removed.

The doctor will apply creams to the laser-treated skin for seven to 10 days until the skin heals.

How to get CO2 laser treatment

A dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or facial plastic surgeon experienced with lasers performs CO2 laser therapy. Choosing a health care provider that specializes in CO2 lasers is important because they will know exactly how much injury the laser will need to apply to achieve the desired results.

Find a clinic

When looking for a clinic that performs CO2 laser treatments, ask about the clinic and healthcare provider’s experience, follow-up appointments, insurance coverage and testimonials from other patients.

Average cost

The cost of full face CO2 laser resurfacing varies greatly in the United States. Fees can range from $3,000–$7,000, including the surgeon’s fee, facility fee, and anesthesia.

What is CO2 laser treatment like?

CO2 laser treatment requires the application of a topical numbing cream. However, full-face CO2 resurfacing is quite painful and often requires conscious anesthesia suppression. An anesthetist or certified registered nurse anesthetist performs this.

Healing period after CO2 laser treatment

The general healing time for a CO2 laser treatment is about two weeks. For the first five to seven days, the skin will be red and raw. After that, the skin will dry out and begin to peel.

When the peeling is complete, the new skin will turn slightly pink. After a few months, the pink will start to fade but it can take up to a year to completely go away.

Summary

CO2 laser treatments are an effective method for reducing the appearance of wrinkles, sun damage and skin laxity. Healthcare providers use it in clinical settings and can perform it on almost any area of ​​the body. Although CO2 lasers are generally considered a safe treatment, there are possible side effects such as swelling, redness and infection.