Do you have skin damage from the sun that you don’t know how to treat and are fearful of what might happen if your skin becomes any more damaged? Or are you looking to treat wrinkles, scars, lines, hyperpigmentation, or birthmarks on your face that you wish you could just make disappear? Facial resurfacing with a CO2 laser could be the answer to all of your concerns! Using a high-energy beam to vaporize scars, lines, wrinkles, and other skin imperfections, our fractionated CO2 laser treats the upper and lower layers of the skin for maximum results and reduced recovery time.
The procedure is relatively simple with minimal to no pain. The surgeon starts by cleaning the skin and covering the eyes with protective shields. Next, a topical anesthetic cream with or without a numbing injection is administered to numb the area. If you are more anxious about the procedure, a sedative pill can be given to help you feel relaxed. The surgeon will then begin to use the laser, which removes skin damage caused by the sun and aging, as well as non-cancerous skin growths, age spots, and blemishes. The deeper layers of the skin are then smoothed with the laser, removing deeper wrinkles and reducing acne scars. Once the procedure is over, the surgeon will apply post-procedure ointment to protect the treated tissues. The process in total can take anywhere from 30-60 minutes.
In the days and weeks following the procedure, the skin will be more sensitive than usual. A therapeutic cream will be prescribed to be used 5-7 days following the procedure. Redness, tightness of the skin, and a sunburn sensation are all normal side effects during the healing process. Due to the sensitive nature of the skin, sun exposure should be avoided during the first 6 weeks following the treatment, and in cases where there is sun exposure, sunscreen must be worn.
You might be wondering how a single laser can do so much to repair the skin. Well, 4 to 5 days after the laser has removed the damaged skin, fresh skin cells will grow that have never been exposed to the sun’s damage. Furthermore, the process stimulates the production of new healthy collagen and elastin, which will continue for 6 months after the resurfacing. This allows for firming of the face, tightening of loose eyelids and skin, and progressive improvement of remaining wrinkles over the next 6 months. The overall effects of the procedure turn the aging clock back by years!
Facial resurfacing with a CO2 laser should be done by a board-certified plastic surgeon, oculoplastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon, or dermatologist. Our two oculoplastic surgeons at New York Eye and Face are expertly equipped to perform the procedure and help your skin look younger and smoother than ever. Reverse the effects of sun damage and aging through this amazing process today by booking your appointment!
For more information, check out the references below:
Carbon Dioxide Laser Resurfacing. (n.d.). Retrieved August 10, 2022, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8314-carbon-dioxide-laser-resurfacing
CO2 Laser Resurfacing. (n.d.). Retrieved August 10, 2022, from http://www.claridayaesthetics.com/co2laser
Laser Skin Resurfacing Skin Care Procedure. (n.d.). Retrieved August 10, 2022,
from https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/laser-skin-resurfacing/procedure
