CO2RE Fractional Laser
CO2 Fractional Resurfacing
Just ONE treatment:
Clínica Privé is proud to offer our patients the CO2RE Carbon Dioxide Fractional Laser System, the latest advancement in CO2 laser resurfacing for aging skin. This laser is one of only three CO2 laser currently available that uses ‘super/ultra-pulsed’ technology, which means that heat is applied faster to the skin making it safer than other CO2 devices and reducing recovery time.
Fractional CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing is ideal for the treatment of:
- Wrinkles
- Poor texture
- Large skin pores
- Sun damage
- Sun spots
- Brown spots
- Uneven pigmentation
- Acne scars
- Surgical scars
- Traumatic scars
- Melasma
- Uneven pigmentation
- Stretch marks
What is CO2 Fractional Resurfacing?
It is a quick and comfortable LASER procedure that delivers microscopic channels into the skin. These channels are surrounded by areas of healthy, untreated skin. The zones of untreated skin invigorate the body’s natural healing process, and the treated areas stimulate production of new collagen, plumping up the skin and smoothing out wrinkles, lines, scars and other irregularities. Only a fraction of the skin is treated (the channels) and, depending on depth and density, recovery time is short. It dramatically improves:
- deep lines and wrinkles – laugh, frown, forehead and ‘smoker’ lines
- skin imperfection and sun damage
- chicken pox or acne scars
- skin’s collagen formation ability
This laser technology is so precise that treatments can be tailored according to the nature and extent of skin damage, skin type and individual requirements for recovery time. The CO2RE Laser offers four variations of fractional resurfacing treatments: Light, Mid, Deep and Fusion
Because each treatment level is targeting specific skin problems, multiple settings may be used in one facial treatment. This allows for complete customization and optimal results.
CO2RE Light |
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Depth: 20-40 microns. |
A complexion refresher that improves sun damage , uneven skin texture, enlarged pores and fine lines. |
CO2RE Mid |
Depth: 100-200 microns. |
Improves skin tone, texture as well as sun damage. |
CO2RE Deep |
Depth: 500-800 microns (most effective treatment level). |
Improves appearance of scarring, moderate to deep lines and wrinkles and skin laxity. |
CO2RE Fusion |
Depth: Combines CO2RE Mid & Deep. |
Improves skin tone, texture, scarring, lines and wrinkles – all in a single treatment pass. |
Who is a Good Candidate for CO2 Ablative Laser Resurfacing?
In general, Laser resurfacing is the optimal approach to dealing with aging skin. Other options, such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion are reasonable considerations, but are not as consistent and successful as laser. Therefore anyone who has skin with environmental changes caused by sun damage, wind, dryness, or other environmental factors is a good candidate for laser resurfacing.
What results can I expect?
Final results should be judged at 6 months since this treatment stimulates collagen production and remodeling. This simply takes 6 months to complete. After 2-3 treatments most patients notice
- Greater than 60% wrinkle reduction
- Improved skin texture
- Correction of skin discoloration
- Tighter, younger looking skin
What areas can be treated?
All body areas can be treated, however, the most popular treatment areas include the face, neck, chest and hands.
What are the Risks?
- Prolonged redness: The key word here is “prolonged” as redness occurs as a natural response to heat and is to be expected.
- Hypopigmentation: Probably the most publicized side effect of ablative CO2 resurfacing is hypopigmentation. This occurred more frequently years ago when CO2 lasers first came out. The lasers back then were slower and hotter making all types of side effects more common. Today, CO2 lasers are faster, better controlled through computer scanners and are very safe.
- Scarring: Scarring may occur with any technology in which heat is produced such as lasers. This is rare overall.
- Infection: Infection is also rare with fractional laser resurfacing and occurs primarily with ablative techniques in which open wounds are created. The most common infection is actually a viral herpes infection. This virus lays dormant in almost everyone and a herpetic outbreak can occur with the stress of laser resurfacing. For this reason, all patients undergoing ablative resurfacing will be given viral prophylaxis medication.
- Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation: PIH is a condition in which the melanocytes in the dermis pour out melanin pigment in response to inflammation. This occurs more commonly in darker skin types and is most common in Asian and/or Pacific Rim nationalities. This condition is usually self-limiting and fades over time, but can be treated with topical medicines to hasten recovery. We may also pre-treat with Hydroquinone starting 2 weeks prior to treatment in order to mitigate the risk of PIH.
Are there any conditions which would preclude laser treatments?
There are several conditions preclude treatment:
- Accutane usage within the last year precludes treatment. The sebaceous glands are inactivated with Accutane which greatly interferes with wound healing. One must discontinue Accutane and wait until oil is detected again on the skin in the area to be treated
- Autoimmune diseases such as Lupus and Scleroderma also preclude treatment due to the inherent effects these diseases have on wound healing.
How many treatments are recommended?
Most patients will see significant improvement after just one treatment.
Who is a candidate for a CO2RE Fractional treatment?
Patients with light-to-medium skin tones and skin imperfections due to aging and sun damage will benefit from a CO2RE Fractional treatment.
What areas of the face can be treated?
CO2RE Fractional can treat the entire face and is uniquely effective in the delicate periorbital (around the eyes) and perioral (around the mouth) areas. These areas often show the first signs of aging and can be the most challenging to treat.
How does a CO2RE Fractional treatment feel?
Most patients describe the treatment as a series of fast, hot pinches. A topical numbing cream is applied to the skin prior to treatment to alleviate some discomfort. Practitioners may choose to augment topical creams with other medications based on patient need.
Are there any restrictions on my activity after a CO2RE Fractional treatment?
After treatment, the skin looks sun burnt, is red and swollen. Pin spot bleeding and oozing is also a common post procedure effect. Discomfort is reported after treatment and is easily managed with the correct aftercare. Most patients take a few days off work. During post care, patients apply an occlusive ointment to the skin for four to five days; specific make up can be used within 72 hours afterwards if desired. It is very important that there is little or no sun exposure after the treatment for a period of up to 6 months.
Can CO2RE Fractional be part of a combination therapy treatment?
Many patients have a CO2RE Fractional treatment in combination with other cosmetic therapies. These include other CANDELA laser and light procedures, such as CO2RE, Laser Genesis and V-Beam. Discuss combination treatment options with your clinician.
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