People who want to reduce the look of acne scarring, fine wrinkles, pigmentation, and other skin issues can benefit from fractional CO2 laser treatment. Dermatologists also advise getting the surgery if you have non-responsive skin as a result of a botched facelift. It can, however, treat a wide range of skin issues, including:

• Spots of old age
• Feet of crows
• Oil glands that have grown in size (especially around the nose)
• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Hyperpigmentation
• Sun damage causes sagging skin.
• Skin tone disparity
• Warts

The technique is most commonly performed on the face, although the laser can also be used to treat the neck, hands and arms.

Because the fractional CO2 laser process heats the skin (through the laser), patients may experience some redness or swelling in the treated area. Some people may even develop scabs and pain.

Following the skin treatment, you may experience the following consequences in rare and worst-case scenarios: redness, hyperpigmentation, and infection (rare).

Fortunately, by following some recommended post-care measures, the risk of these adverse effects can be reduced or even prevented.

The procedure is simple and safe to employ, and it has been successfully used for a variety of clinical and cosmetic purposes in people of all skin types. CO2 laser resurfacing has a very low chance of causing side effects.

The discomfort is usually mild for most people, and they typically describe it as prickling. However, because the procedure involves numbing the area, your face will be numb, ensuring a painless procedure.

Carbon dioxide laser treatment provides the following benefits for some skin conditions:

• The CO2 laser is not pigment-selective, and so both pigmented and non-pigmented skin lesions can be targeted with the CO2 wavelength.
• Tissue-selective, high-precision treatment
• Consumables are inexpensive.
• Less invasive than chemical peeling and dermabrasion.
• Short downtime — roughly 2 weeks to recover

Laser resurfacing is performed by some plastic surgeons and dermatologists; however, it is not considered a surgery. Following the procedure, you can leave your doctor’s office right away.

Downtime and recovery are still required to ensure that your skin heals properly. This lowers your risk of negative effects while also assisting you in achieving your goals.

It normally takes 3 to 10 days for the body to heal. The longer recuperation time in general, the larger the treatment area and the deeper the laser. It can take up to three weeks to recover from an ablative laser treatment, for example. Your skin may be quite red and scab over as you recuperate. There will be some peeling. Ice packs can be used to assist relieve edema.

While you don’t have to stay at home for the duration of your recovery, you should avoid germ-rich environments, such as the gym, to reduce your chance of infection.

These pre-treatment guidelines should be followed before conducting a fractional CO2 laser operation.

• Retinol-containing products should not be used because they can alter the ultimate result.
• 2 weeks before the laser treatment, avoid extensive sun exposure.
• Ibuprofen, aspirin, and even vitamin E should be avoided because they can cause prolonged clotting.
• Stop smoking at least two weeks before and after your treatment. This improves your chance of avoiding complications and helps your body heal.

Procedure:

• A local anesthetic cream is applied to the problem area 30 to 45 minutes before the fractional CO2 laser treatment. The procedure takes only 15 to 20 minutes to complete. This is used to make you more comfortable during the process by reducing pain. If you have a wide region of the skin to treat, your doctor may recommend a sedative or pain reliever.
• The skin is next washed to get rid of any extra oil, grime, or bacteria.
• Your doctor will begin the therapy using the laser that you have chosen. The laser is moved steadily across the skin’s specified area through a scanning pattern. It removes the thin, outer layers of damaged skin.
• The process then initiates the formation of several microthermal zones that go deep into the skin after the dead skin cells have been removed. It can activate your body’s natural healing mechanism and increase collagen formation in this way. This eventually results in the replacement of old, damaged cells with new, healthy skin.
• Finally, after the process, your doctor will wrap the treatment region in wraps to protect the skin.

Ablative lasers, like the CO2 laser, work by removing skin layers. It warms the underlying skin while removing the thin outer layer of skin (epidermis) (dermis). This promotes the development of new collagen fibers. The treated skin appears clearer, smoother, and tighter as the epidermis repairs and regrows.

Non-ablative lasers, such as IPL devices, do not remove any skin layers; instead, they stimulate collagen formation and improve skin tone and texture. This is less intrusive and takes less time to recover from, but it is ineffective.

The laser type is chosen by your doctor based on the issue being treated and your cosmetic goals.

Unfortunately, not everyone is a good fit for the fractional CO2 laser. This skin therapy is not recommended for people who have a lot of breakouts, open wounds, or infections on their faces. Oral isotretinoin users should also avoid the surgery because it poses a health and safety risk.

If you have a chronic medical condition (such as diabetes), you should proceed with caution and seek the advice of a plastic surgeon or dermatologist beforehand.

Having said all of this, you must arrange a consultation with a dermatologist so that they can determine whether or not you’re a good candidate for the operation

The outcome of your skin treatment will be determined by the condition you’re trying to solve. If you want to get rid of hyperpigmentation, for example, you can see improvements in just one session. However, when it comes to removing acne scars and fine wrinkles, the results may take a while to appear.

Non-ablative laser treatments are less likely to cause side effects, but you may require many sessions to get the results you want. Ablative lasers, on the other hand, may be able to resolve your issues in just one session.

Individual outcomes differ depending on the severity of the initial concerns treated. Once you’ve completed your treatment sessions, you can anticipate your results to last for several years. The effects, however, aren’t permanent. At some point, you may need to repeat the procedure.

Your plastic surgeon can assist you in determining the cause of your skin problem and can also help in assessing if a fractional CO2 laser is right for you or not. Your plastic surgeon or dermatologist can then develop a treatment plan that is right for you. That one visit could make a significant difference in your quality of life for years to come. However, given the delicate nature of the procedure, it’s best to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon that can ensure the process is safe and effective.

If you and your doctor agree that procedure is the best choice for you, your dermatologist will devise a tailor-made treatment plan exclusively for you. Your dermatologist will consider a variety of factors when developing this plan, including your main cause of skin problem, location, severity, etc. If you have taken any kind of previous skin-related treatment, be sure to tell your doctor about that before the treatment begins.

The cost of a fractional CO2 laser depends on the type and severity of the skin condition you have and if additionally PRP is needed for the faster and better healing of the skin condition. Single session cost can vary from Rs. 3000 to Rs. 8000 depending on what is being treated.  The procedure usually requires 3-6 sessions based on your skin’s needs.