If you have been thinking about finding a new, enhanced you, without drastic changes, look no further—the answer is within your skin. With our comprehensive CO2 laser resurfacing treatments, you can enjoy a radiant complexion through a simple and comfortable process.
CO2 laser resurfacing is a highly effective treatment that seeks to improve skin texture, tone, wrinkles, sun damage, scars, and stretch marks. At Northeastern Plastic Surgery, we use the Lumenis UltraPulse Laser, a fractionated CO2 laser, that creates tiny micro-tears in the skin while leaving surrounding tissue untouched, which aids in rapid healing. This controlled damage stimulates the body’s natural healing response, promoting collagen and elastin production for firmer, more youthful skin.
Does this sound like something you would like to try? Our team has put together the key insights to consider, as well as our top tips for ensuring optimal results:
5 Insights and Tips for CO2 Laser Resurfacing
#1 Understanding the Treatment Process
The Lumenis UltraPulse Laser works by targeting small sections of your skin in specific areas. Its precision allows for the surrounding tissue to remain intact, which does wonders for your healing process.
The damaged skin cells send signals to your body to produce new collagen and elastin. This improves your skin’s elasticity and structure over the course of the sessions. Keep in mind that most patients need a series of treatments to achieve the best outcome.
#2 How Many Sessions Are Needed?
The quick answer? Patients usually need between 3 and 5 sessions for optimal results, each spaced 4 or 6 weeks apart to allow proper collagen production and not interfere with your healing process.
The complete answer? The number of sessions and their frequency will depend on several factors, such as:
- Skin type and condition
- Particular goals
- Medical history
- Pain tolerance
- Extent of sun damage
- Genetics
- Ability to follow aftercare guidelines
- And others
That’s why our skilled team at Northeastern Plastic Surgery will make sure to get to know your expectations, condition, and lifestyle, in order to build a personalized plan that works for both your routine and skin.
#3 Choosing the Right Treatment Settings
When creating your tailored plan for your CO2 laser resurfacing treatment, you will find that you can either go for lighter or higher settings, both with their pros and cons.
On the one hand, lighter settings are usually better tolerated, produce more natural looking results, and have less potential for side effects; but require more sessions for desired results.
On the other hand, higher settings mean less treatments, but will increase risk of complications, lengthen your downtime, and aren’t suited for darker skin tones, as it could change your pigmentation.
Additionally, for darker skin tones, pre-treatment may also be recommended to prepare the skin, so these things do not happen. Fairer skin is better at tolerating more aggressive treatments but may still need to pre-treat. We recommend speaking with our Aesthetician to see if you would be required to pre-treat, and what other recommendations are better suited for you.
#4 Recovery and First Changes
The first changes you will see will be a brightening of the skin as pigmentation fades and pores shrink. Follow-up sessions will continue to build stronger collagen and elastin fibers, firming and tightening the skin, and reducing wrinkles. Improvement will continue gradually, weeks to months after your treatment.
You can expect to have 2-10 days of crusting, scabbing and peeling. Keeping skin moist during this time is very important for healing. The skin may appear pink for three or four weeks (or in some cases, even longer) depending on how aggressive the treatment was.
#5 The Importance of AftercareYour at home routine is very important to maintain results, and applying a broad-spectrum SPF daily is one of the best habits you can acquire during this phase. Excessive sun damages the skin, causing pigmentation and wrinkles. Using the right cleansers, serums, retinols, and moisturizers, and SPF will help prolong your results. After your series of treatments, maintenance sessions may be needed over the years to continue to build collagen. Is CO2 Laser Resurfacing Right for You?If you want to improve your skin’s texture and health, there are several ways to do so. CO2 laser resurfacing is great for individuals who want to:
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For a personalized assessment, you can contact our team of aestheticians at Northeastern Plastic Surgery and craft the best plan for you. With the right treatment, proper aftercare, and realistic expectations, it can get you on the right path to a brighter and happier reflection.
Enjoy being you like never before and make an appointment at our New Jersey practice by calling (973) 295-6565 or using our online scheduling tool.