Unveiling the Power of CO2 Lasers: From History to Future Trends
CO2 Laser is a highly advanced technology that helps improve the appearance of aged and damaged skin. It is a gentle and safe way for skin resurfacing, treating ageing and sun damaged skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, smoothening out an uneven texture and giving you a healthy and glowing complexion. The laser vaporizes the outer layers of the skin and encourages the growth of new collagen. There is hardly any downtime with the procedure and the treatment is not fraught with any adverse reactions.
Introduction to CO2 Laser
The CO2 laser very accurately and skilfully gets rid of the thin layers of the skin without affecting the neighbouring structures at all. The laser directs concentrated pulsating beams of light on to your skin. It removes the skin with extreme precision, layer-by-layer, by vaporizing it. During the procedure, the epidermis is removed and the dermis is heated up. The laser beams trigger the growth of new collagen and make your skin tighter, firmer and smoother. Laser resurfacing substantially reduces the appearance of fine lines, treats the loss of skin tone and improves your complexion. However, do remember, laser resurfacing can not eliminate excessive sagging of the skin. CO2 laser is absolutely ideal to treat sun damage, improve an ageing skin, banishing wrinkles, lessening the appearance of scars, and tackling a host of other skin conditions.
Brief History of CO2 Laser
Kumar Patel invented the CO2 laser in the early 1960s at the Bell Labs. Over the last 10 years, rapid advances in technology have helped aestheticians successfully deal with scars and wrinkles using CO2 lasers.
The CO2 laser became available for cosmetic use in 1964 and very quickly it became the most extensively used therapy in dermatologic practice. In the mid 1990s, CO2 lasers started being used for skin resurfacing.
Basic Principle of a CO2 Laser
The generation of the laser beam is carried out inside a resonator – which is a cylindrical glass tube filled with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and helium. One end of the resonator has a reflective mirror while there’s a semi-reflective mirror at the other end. The gas in the resonator is ionized by an electric field which makes the nitrogen energized. This energy is then given to the carbon dioxide molcules, making them move to a higher energy level. The energized carbon dioxide molecules give off photons when the electrons fall to a lower energy level. An instability is caused by an emitted photon and this makes the adjacent excited carbon dioxide molecules give off photons as well. The excited photons bounce between the two mirrors, thus causing other excited CO2 molecules to give off more photons. This process continues until a sufficient number of photons is reflected back and forth between the two mirrors and the energy in this wave is adequate to pass through the semi-reflective mirror as a beam of light. This beam is directed in to a lens that focuses it in to a point of high energy intensity and this is used for medical and industrial applications.
Applications of CO2 Lasers
CO2 lasers have been widely well liked in the medical field. It offers a very great degree of accuracy and is extensively used in a host of surgical procedures. CO2 laser is extremely popular for skin resurfacing and to deal with wrinkles, scars, and other skin issues. What’s more, applications of the CO2 laser are continuously being developed.
CO2 Laser in Dermatology
CO2 Laser is a wonderful tool in dermatology; it is extremely beneficial for the following skin conditions:
- Ageing Skin
- Deep wrinkles
- Sun Damaged Skin
- Pigmentation, Melasma and Age Spots
- Poor elasticity of the skin
- Actinic Keratosis
- Acne Scars
- Surgical Scars
- Burn Scars
- Trauma scars
- Warts
- Birth marks
- Rhinophyma – enlarged oil glands on the nose.
Medical Applications of CO2 Lasers
CO2 Lasers have always had an important place in medicine. The laser beam is so tiny and precise, that it allows doctors to safely treat the required tissue without causing any damage to the adjacent structures. A new generation of CO2 lasers makes use of very short pulsed light energy or constant light beams which are conveyed in a scanning pattern. In medicine, CO2 is used to –
- Repair detached retina of the eye
- Treat varicose veins
- Remove the prostate
- Used widely in dentistry for hard-tissue ablation
- Eliminating kidney stones
- To treat benign and malignant tumors.
Types of CO2 Laser
Ablative laser – This type eliminates the epidermis of the skin, i.e. the thin outer layer and it heats up the dermis, i.e. the layer beneath and this encourages the growth of new collagen. As the epidermis heals, the treated portion of your skin looks a lot smoother, tighter and more even textured.
Non ablative laser – This approach also stimulates collagen growth. It’s a less aggressive approach than an ablative laser and has a shorter recovery time. However, the results are less noticeable. Types include – pulsed-dye laser, erbium and intense pulsed light therapy.
Both ablative as well as non ablative can be delivered with a fractional laser. Microscopic columns of untreated tissue throughout the treatment area are left. Fractional lasers help cut back on recovery time and lessen the risk of developing any adverse effects.
Advantages and Disadvantages of CO2 Lasers
The doctors simply love lasers! For them, it the closest thing to a magic wand to manage a host of medical conditions! It’s truly unbelievable that heating up the skin while burning a portion of the tissue could promise such awesome results! Regardless, here are a few pros and cons to help you decide whether the treatment is for you or not.
Pros of Using CO2 Lasers
Here’s a round-up of all the benefits of the CO2 laser –
- CO2 lasers can be focused on precise, minuscule points with diameters as tiny as 100 microns, thus making it ideal for medical procedures that need pinpoint precision.
- CO2 lasers cut at high speeds, and can also change targets rapidly.
- CO2 laser decreases skin pigmentation and sun damage giving your skin an even texture and complexion.
- Lessens scarring.
- Works wonderfully well in fine lines and wrinkles.
- Stimulates the manufacture of collagen and elastic giving your skin a tightening effect.
- CO2 laser resurfacing rectifies and improves a whole range of skin issues remarkably well.
- Importantly, CO2 laser works beautifully with other skin treatments, such as, injectables, as well as surgical procedures.
Cons of Using CO2 Lasers
Unhappily, there are a few unpleasant effects associated with CO2 laser –
- Some people are known to develop milia; milia are tiny cysts, that appear after the CO2 laser, during the phase of healing. However, do not worry, these can be gently removed using a washcloth or if you want, at the clinic by your dermatologist.
- Acne flare-ups are known to occur in a few people. The breakouts usually resolve on their own, or can be easily managed.
- Occasionally, hyper pigmentation or hypo pigmentation may occur post CO2 laser.
- Resurfacing the skin around the mouth has been associated with a reactivation of herpes simplex. But, this can be warded off by administering an anti-viral before the procedure and continuing it for 10 days after your procedure.
What Are the Likely Side Effects of CO2 Laser?
Here’s an overview of the possible side effects of CO2 laser –
- Bacterial, viral and fungal infections may occur after the CO2 laser; but this can be prevented by taking anti-biotics, anti-virals and anti-fungals before the procedure and continuing the medications for 10 days after the procedure.
- There may be some redness and swelling postoperatively; this can be managed by administering steroids. Also, applying ice over the affected area will help ease up the swelling. You also need to sleep on an extra pillow at night to help reduce the swelling. Redness and swelling pass away very soon.
- Scarring is another side effect that needs to be managed.
- Skin peeling also sometimes occurs after CO2 laser resurfacing, but it is transient and allays quickly.
Why Choose Us?
We, at The New Roots Hair and Skin Clinic aim to provide you with the best quality care to manage all your skin concerns. We are passionate about cosmetic medicine and specialize in anti-ageing. We use FDA approved FRAXIS CO2 FRACTIONAL LASER. It is a revolutionary high powered equipment that delivers uniform and stable beam quality in short pulse duration. It has a superior ablative thermal effect which resurfaces the epidermis and regenerates the dermis. The FRAXIS CO2 FRACTIONAL LASER promises negligible downtime and no risk of developing any adverse effects. We greatly pride ourselves on communicating well with you about your beauty goals and help you get to your goals. We boast of a team of experts, the best aesthetic advice and avant garde techniques; and look forward to supporting you in your beauty journey!
FAQs
You are a good candidate for CO2 laser if you have –
- Scars from acne, a surgery, trauma or chickenpox.
- Skin pigmentation, age spots, birthmarks.
- Sun-ravaged skin.
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Large sebaceous glands on your face.
CO2 laser isn’t for everyone; your dermatologist will consider against you having the procedure if:
- You’ve been in isotretinoin 8 to 12 months.
- If you have an autoimmune disorder, connective tissue disease or a poor immune mechanism.
- You’ve had radiation therapy to your face.
- Have had a laser resurfacing 12 months back.
- Develop recurrent herpes infection.
- History of keloids.
- Have very dark skin.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have active acne flare-ups
- Your skin has really deep wrinkles
- Too much sagging of skin
The CO2 laser treatment will be performed in an out-patient department, under local anaesthesia, along with oral or intravenous sedatives. The portion of the face that needs to be treated is numbed with a local anaesthesia. When the entire face is being treated, a general anaesthesia is given. Depending on the area being covered, the session will take 30 minutes to 2 hours.
After the procedure, a non-stick dressing will be placed to the site for 24 hours. After 24 hours, you have to clean the treated site 2 to 5 times a day with saline or diluted vinegar. You have to moisturize the skin often; it keeps the skin hydrated and prevents scabbing. The area heals in about 20 days, depending up on the skin ailments that you were being treated for.
Once the skin is healed, there may still be some pinkness or redness; that will fade away in about 2 to 6 months. Make sure you go to your dermatologist for regular follow-ups. Discuss what skin care products you may use. Oil-free makeup is advised after CO2 laser resurfacing.
Dos and don’ts before your laser session –
- Avoid tanning the skin before the laser session as well as stay away from undue sun exposure. Use a sunblock every single day; reapplications are important.
- No deep facial chemical peels and dermabrasion 4 weeks before CO2 laser.
- Steer clear of medications which are known to cause photosensitivity (such as doxycycline) 3 days before the procedure.
- If you have a history of herpes, make sure you talk to your doctor and start anti-viral drugs 2 days before the procedure and continue for 3 days after.
- Your dermatologist will ask you to apply a topical retinoid for 4 weeks before the procedure.
- Depending on your medical history, your doctor might recommend other medications before your procedure.
- Immediately post the laser, your skin will be inflamed, red and sensitive. The redness, swelling, and itching will last for a couple of weeks to a couple of months. The skin may look raw and may even blister. Do not scratch or pick at the crusts – it could cause scarring and infection.
- A week after the CO2 laser resurfacing, the skin will become dry and will start to peel. The redness and peeling will stop over a time period of 2 months. Make sure that you clean the treatment site 2 to 3 times daily as instructed by your dermatologist.
- For the first 1 week, when you sleep, use an extra pillow to decrease the swelling.
- Apply ice for 15 minutes every 2 hours, for the first 2 days.
- Apply a thin layer of a moisturizer and an antibiotic as prescribed by your doctor twice daily until the skin heals.
- Do not use aggressive treatments, like, tretinoin or glycolic acid for 1 to 2 months post the procedure. Also, stay away from any skin care products that could cause irritation for 2 months after the treatment.
- Steer clear of all activities that causes flushing of the skin; for at least 2 weeks after the procedure.
- Do not smoke; smoking slows down the process of healing.
- You must slather on a broad-spectrum sunblock everyday to shield your newly laser-resurfaced skin. Confer with your dermatologist as to which is the best one for you.
- Apply a moisturizer everyday; discuss with your doctor which one’s best for you.
- Use vinegar over the resurfaced skin, once the skin has healed. Make a vinegar solution – one teaspoon white vinegar in 2 cups of water and gently apply all over your face. Let the gauze stay for 15 minutes. This helps to reduce itching and swelling.
- Do not aggressively rubbing the treated area; always pat dry.
Once the skin has healed , you shall notice a massive difference in the quality and appearance of your skin. Your skin looks smoother, tighter and a lot younger!
