CO2 Laser Resurfacing

When it comes to carbon dioxide laser resurfacing, the procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis with the help of local anesthesia and sedative medications that can be administered orally or intravenously. To help with any discomfort, the areas that need to be treated will be numbed with a local anesthetic. If the whole face is going to be treated, general anesthesia may be used. If you want to get rid of wrinkles around your eyes, mouth, or forehead, they can be treated individually. However, a full-face laser resurfacing can also be done. A partial-face resurfacing typically takes about 30 to 45 minutes. In comparison, a full-face treatment usually takes between 90 minutes to two hours.

After laser resurfacing, patients will have a Telfa® dressing applied to the treatment sites for 24 hours. Following this, it is recommended that the areas be cleaned two to five times a day with either saline or a dilute vinegar solution, with an ointment such as Vaseline®, Eucerin®, or Aquaphor® being applied afterward. This wound care is crucial in preventing scab formation, which can lead to scarring and extend the healing time. Typically, the areas will heal within 10 to 21 days, depending on the condition being treated. To reduce swelling, patients are advised to sleep on an extra pillow at night and apply ice packs within the first 24 to 48 hours. Lastly, it is highly recommended that patients quit smoking as it has been known to have harmful effects on the healing process.

After laser treatment, it’s possible to see small white bumps called milia during the healing process. A gentle cleanse with a washcloth can remove them. Acne flares may also happen and can be treated with traditional acne therapies. The treated areas may develop hyperpigmentation or, more rarely, hypopigmentation. For hyperpigmentation, a bleaching cream can help fade the pigment. Hypopigmentation is harder to treat, though. If you’re having laser resurfacing around the mouth, you might experience a cold sore outbreak. To prevent this, consider taking an antiviral medication before and after treatment. Likewise, taking antibiotics before and after the procedure can prevent bacterial infections. Swelling after the procedure is normal and can be lessened with intramuscular steroids. Finally, while it’s rare, scarring can occur in the treated areas.

After the healing process is complete, it is safe to use oil-free makeup to conceal the pink-to-red color that is often visible after undergoing laser resurfacing. To counteract the redness in the skin, it is recommended to use green-based makeup. It is worth noting that the redness in the treated areas usually subsides within two to three months, but it may take up to six months to completely fade away. People with blonde or red hair may experience the redness for a more extended period.