Fractional C02 Laser

Skin Resurfacing

The Fractional CO2 laser is one of the most recent and exciting advances in laser technology. Introduced in 2007, this powerful laser allows Dr. Chiu to treat deep lines and wrinkles, treat acne scars and pigmentation, and tighten and rejuvenate the skin in just one treatment. It literally “turns back the clock” by 5-10 years! The amazing thing is that there is much less downtime and risk compared to traditional ablative CO2 laser resurfacing.

How It Works

Fractional laser treatment is one of the hottest new aesthetic trends offering excellent results with minimal downtime. Fractional lasers target the skin in thousands of deep microscopic treatment zones, leaving surrounding areas of normal skin untouched. This allows for more rapid skin healing and recovery with less potential risk. The Fractional CO2 laser utilizes a wavelength that penetrates much more deeply into the skin than non-ablative fractional lasers like the Palomar LUX 1540 or Fraxel, making it even more effective at treating deep lines and “wrinkles. Traditional CO2 resurfacing lasers set the gold standard for skin resurfacing, but work by completely ablating the surface of the skin, leading to increased downtime and potential risk. Compared to the traditional CO2 laser, the safety and versatility of the Fractional CO2 affords Dr. Chiu tremendous ability to customize the ideal laser treatment for your specific needs.

Dr. Chiu will adjust the intensity of the laser depending on your problem areas. Acne scars and more stubborn lines and wrinkles are treated with settings that deliver increased density and depth of the laser beam. Whereas pigmentation, fine lines, and skin tightening can be achieved using lighter, more superficial settings. With the fractional CO2, we can also safely rejuvenate the sun-damaged neck and chest–areas that we could never treat before with the traditional CO2. Best of all, we are able to achieve outstanding results in just one treatment session!

Occasionally, Dr. Chiu may recommend traditional ablative CO2 treatment for certain skin conditions. If this is the case, the laser that we have is adjustable to become a fully ablative CO2 laser as well.

What Can I Expect?

At your initial consultation, Dr. Chiu will determine whether or not you are a good candidate for the Fractional CO2 laser. Patients with darker skin may not be good candidates for this procedure.

Before your treatment, you will receive prescriptions for prophylactic antibiotics to prevent infections. Topical anesthetic will be applied one hour before your procedure and pain medications will be given to make you comfortable. Local anesthetic may also be used.

Afterwards, the treated skin feels like it has been sunburned. You will need to bring an escort that can drive you home. If this is not possible for you, please let us know and we can help you make arrangements.

During the healing process, it is normal to have redness and swelling. The top layer of the skin will turn brown and crusted. This represents the laser-treated skin that is preparing to shed. This layer will peel off in 3-5 days, leaving smooth, pink skin underneath. After the skin sheds, you may wear makeup. In general, the downtime is approximately 5-7 days. The redness fades after about 2 weeks. Your skin will look noticeably tightened immediately after wards and most patients say they look 5-10 years younger. As new collagen is created over the next few months, results improve even further. Your skin will look better and better each day up to 6 months after your treatment! Most patients require only one treatment, but certain patients with deeper acne scars or wrinkles may benefit from an additional treatment after 3 months with either the Fractional CO2 or the Palomar LUX 1540.

Before & After Photos

Before & After: Photo Courtesy of MatrixCO2

Wrinkle Treatment Before & After: Photo Courtesy of MatrixCO2

Scar Treatment Before & After: Photo Courtesy of MatrixCO2