Most of us suffer from aging skin due to harmful chemicals and over exposure to the sun. The CO2 fractional laser therapy has been considered the breakthrough of the decade according to many doctors. This skin-resurfacing treatment combines the effectiveness of traditional carbon dioxide lasers with a new application technique, it delivers powerful results without the traditionally harsh side effects. The CO2 has the longest wavelength of all the lasers on the market and can be used safely on darker skin types with appropriate adjustments in the settings.
“The Fractional Co2 Laser is indeed the breakthrough of aesthetic medicine of the decade and continues to wow my patients and I with its efficacy on treating acne scars, fine lines and pigmentation problems,” says Dr. Gabriel Wong of SL Clinic and SkinLab The Medical Spa.
Fractionated CO2 lasers excel at treating deeper wrinkles, more severe textural changes from sun damage, wrinkles, blotchiness, acne scars, and surgical or traumatic scars. It can be used on the delicate eyelid skin and around the mouth.
How does it work?
The fractional CO2 laser takes the CO2 laser beam and fractionates, or pixellates that beam into thousands of tiny little shafts of light. These tiny shafts of light penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin. The skin then repairs those tiny shafts by pushing out the old sun damaged skin and replacing it with new skin. The “collateral” heat damage also helps to shrink existing collagen.
Treatments can be deeper, with more healing and downtime, or shallower, with less healing time. The deeper the treatment, the better the results generally. But some patients prefer to have two treatments that aren’t as deep so they can avoid a lot of downtime.
You will see some immediate results but you won’t see the full results for 3-6 months. After your skin heals, which may take up to 3-14 days, there will be a period of 4 to 6 weeks after that when your skin might be slightly pink. During this period, your skin will feel smoother and looks less blotchy. As the color returns to normal, you will see fewer lines, less blotchiness, and more glow.
We sent out editor to the test and this is what he has to say about the treatment itself.
“After the numbing cream has been applied generously on the face, the treatment takes place about 30 minutes later. Other than an occasional sting on the skin, the process in generally painless. The minor pricks may be uncomfortable for some, but you won’t be crying or screaming in pain.”
Healing process
– During the first 24 hours after treatment, your skin should have felt as though it is sunburned and appeared pink or red.
– This is then followed in the next 24-48 hours of swelling and a darkening effect referred to as Bronzing.
– Once the skin has bronzed it will then start to peel around days 4-5. During this time you may experience minor itching or flaking.
– Keep the skin moist and hydrated and DO NOT pick at or attempt to speed up the peeling process because if you do, you run the risk of infection, hyperpigmentation, or scarring.
If you are keen on having your acne scars removed or have any questions, feel free to email skinlabsingapore@gmail.com or simply head down to any SL Clinic or SkinLab The Medical Spa outlet for a no obligation consultation with the doctors. Treatments start from SGD$400 onwards.
501 Orchard Road, Wheelock Place #04-04 Tel: 6235 3246
68 Orchard Road #03-33 Plaza Singapura Tel: 6336 1106