If you’re looking for the most effective way to rejuvenate your skin, you may have come across CO2 laser treatments. But what do they do? And what skin conditions and signs of aging can they help with?
We’re going to talk you through what to expect at a CO2 laser treatment, but if you’re looking for skin rejuvenation in Brighton, there are few better options.
What does a CO2 laser do?
CO2 lasers are also known as ablative lasers. They remove part or all of the skin on your face, allowing your skin to fully regenerate. That might sound extreme, but this process is highly effective for helping reverse many signs of aging.
During this non-surgical treatment, the CO2 laser will deliver energy at your skin using a range of narrow wavelengths. This targeted energy heats up your skin, resulting in ablation. Once the damaged skin has been removed, your body will produce completely new skin to replace it.
This is why this treatment is also called CO2 laser resurfacing, because it essentially encourages your body to completely resurface the skin on your face.
What conditions does CO2 laser resurfacing treat?
CO2 laser treatments have been found to be highly effective at reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as for improving hyperpigmentation, reversing sun damage and helping to remove acne scars.
A CO2 laser resurfacing treatment can also be an option if you want to get rid of stretch marks.
How long does it take to recover from a CO2 laser treatment?
Although it’s a non-surgical procedure, you will need to allow some time for your skin to recover after the treatment. The area that’s been treated will often swell after your treatment and in many cases will go red.
This is normal, so don’t panic. As your skin heals, it may scab. Again, this is a normal part of the process. It’s essential that you allow the scabs to heal naturally and fall off in their own time. In our experience, patients see a significant improvement in their skin seven to ten days after their treatment.
How long do the effects of CO2 laser resurfacing treatment last?
The results of this kind of treatment typically last for years, depending on your lifestyle and how you look after your skin following the procedure.
One of the most important steps you can take to protect your skin after a CO2 laser resurfacing treatment is to wear an SPF on your face every day. Ideally this should be a minimum of factor 30, although depending on your skin type SPF 50 may be a better choice.
At our clinic, we use the Lumenis AcuPulse laser, which is the most powerful such aesthetic tool available. This means that treatment times are shorter, while it often leads to the most dramatic effects for patients while causing less swelling and damage than other lasers.
This means your recovery time will be shorter and that you will typically be able to achieve the effect you’re looking for with just one treatment.