CO2 LASER

Fractional CO2 laser skin resurfacing is an internationally recognized technique to improve acne scars. As the name suggests, only a fraction of the skin is treated.

The benefit of this approach is quicker healing and fewer side effects compared to fully-ablative laser treatment.

Fractional laser treatment is excellent for atrophic boxcar scars and non-tethering rolling scars because of controlled dermal damage which stimulates new collagen production and remodelling of the acne scar tissue.

1. What Is Fractional CO2 Laser?

Fractional CO2 laser is a type of skin treatment used by dermatologists or physicians to reduce the appearance of acne scars, deep wrinkles, and other skin irregularities. It is a non-invasive procedure that uses laser, specially made of carbon dioxide, to remove the outer layers of damaged skin.

2. What Does Fractional CO2 Laser Treat?

Fractional CO2 laser is commonly used to treat acne scars. However, it can also tend to a wide range of skin problems such as:

Age spots

Crow’s feet

Enlarged oil glands (especially around the nose)

Fine lines and wrinkles

Hyperpigmentation

Sagging skin

Sun damage

Uneven skin tone

Warts

3. Who Should Get Fractional CO2 Laser?

Fractional CO2 laser is ideal for people who like to minimize the appearance of acne scarring, fine lines, pigmentation, and other skin conditions listed above. Dermatologists also recommend undergoing the procedure if you suffer from a non-responsive skin after a bad facelift.

4. Who Should Avoid Fractional CO2 Laser?

Unfortunately, the fractional CO2 laser is not for everyone. Individuals with extensive breakouts, open wounds, or any infections on the face are advised to stay away from this skin procedure. People who take oral isotretinoin should also avoid the procedure as it poses a risk for health and safety.

If you have chronic medical conditions (such as diabetes), you should also take extra caution and make it a point to consult a doctor or dermatologist first.

Having said all of these things, it’s vital that you schedule a consultation with a dermatologist in order for them to assess whether you are qualified for the procedure or not.

5.Does this hurt?

Fractional CO2 laser treatment is a very tolerable treatment with a minimum of discomfort. Approximately 1.5 hours before the treatment, a numbing cream is applied to the skin, and painkillers are administered.

Most of my patients have a pain score of 2 out of 10 on a scale from 1-10.

12. Are The Results Of The Fractional CO2 Laser Instantaneous?

The results of the skin treatment will depend on the problem you are targeting. For instance, if you’d like to get rid of hyperpigmentation, you can instantly see results in only one session. However, when eliminating acne scars and fine lines, it may take a while for the results to show up.

6. What are the side effects of CO2 Laser?

After the treatment, the transition between treated skin and normal skin. This can be seen in the first 3-8 days after the treatment. A shallow redness might persist for some weeks due to increased blood circulation and inflammation in the skin as part of the dermal remodelling. This fades slowly as the inflammation diminishes.

On very rare occasions infection can occur. To avoid infection, I always prescribe antibiotics prior to the fractional CO2 laser treatment. If you have had a cold sore, anti-viral treatment is important to prevent a flare.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) which is a temporary darkening of the skin might occur especially in darker skin types. This is very rare in fair-skinned patients. To minimize the risk of PIH in darker skin types, I always recommend the patient to:

Use a fading cream starting on day 7 after the treatment.

Use a high factor (SPF 50) sun blocker two times a day starting at day 7 before the treatment and again at day 7 after the treatment for 3 months

Sun avoidance in the months after the treatment.

Remember that you’re always allowed to use a recovery makeup (e.g. Lycogel) or similar products to cover any PIH as long as the darkening persists.

7. Do I Need To Undergo Multiple Fractional CO2 Laser Treatments?

Again, depending on the severity of your skin condition, you may need to undergo about one to three sessions. These treatments can be done at four to six-weekly intervals.

8. How much improvement may be expected after CO2 Laser treatment?

You’ll see a gradual improvement after each treatment. The results might vary from patient to patient, and I can never guarantee that your scars can be removed 100%.

The skin heals and improves slowly after each treatment. I, therefore, recommend that there’s always at least 3 months between each laser treatment.

It’s impossible in advance to predict the final result as well as how much each acne scar is going to improve after each treatment.

The reason is that we all heal differently. Just think about how some people can have acne for years but never develop a single acne scar, while other people develop acne scars even though they have only had few and superficial acne.

Treating acne scars is a marathon, not a sprint. But with patience, we’ll achieve the best results.

9. How Much Is The Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment?

The price of the fractional CO2 laser procedure in the Philippines varies depending on the skincare practitioner you opt to get your treatment from. In general, they cost about ₱5,000 ($100) to ₱12,000 ($230) per session for your face.