What is CO2RE laser resurfacing?
The CO2RE is a Carbon Dioxide (C02) Fractional Laser. The laser works by resurfacing which removes layers of skin tissue in a fractionated method (columns of skin are removed, leaving the skin surrounding each column intact to aid in healing). This treatment helps to reduce age-spots, liver spots, and lentigines, fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, uneven coloration, skin laxity, textural irregularities, dull tone, and a thinned collagen layer of the face, neck, and chest.
CO2RE is the best treatment if you wish to maximize results with just one treatment. It does take a full 7-14 days to heal. Most can return to normal by day 5-7 however, you will still have redness and dryness. If you have the ability to take the time to recover in private then this is the best treatment as it is like having several non invasive procedures all rolled into one.
is an in-office procedure that requires pre and post-treatment medications to ensure proper healing and comfort during the procedure. Discomfort varies on the depth of the treatment. For your comfort during the treatment, we may apply a topical anesthetic or inject local anesthetic. After the treatment most patients describe the post-procedure feeling as a bad sunburn for about 12 hours to 2 days. We further recommend you take pain or relaxation medications prior to your treatment. By pre-medicating you will need to have somebody drive you home after treatment.
Typically one laser treatment with C02RE is recommended. Occasionally, in an area that cannot be treated quite as aggressively, we may need to do more than one treatment to optimize your outcome. Maintenance treatments may also be necessary to maintain results, especially if sun is not avoided or proper skin care used. Occasionally, even with the best care, another treatment may be necessary in a few years. When we are addressing the eye area, it may only be 1-2 years.
Who is a good candidate for the CO2RE?
Anyone who has sun damaged, aging skin, irregularly pigmented skin, wrinkles, sagging, irregular texture of the skin or other skin condition that could be expected to be improved with this treatment that understands the risks, costs and time necessary to achieve the full benefit of the procedure and who has realistic expectations of the ultimate outcome.
Patients with darker skin are not recommended as candidates.
This is also not a treatment for any woman who is pregnant or anyone who has been treated with isotretinoin (or Accutane) within 6 months.
Additionally, if there are any conditions resulting in delayed or abnormal healing it is advised you wait.
Lastly, If you have a history of cold sores or herpes virus it is important to tell your physician at the pre-treatment stage to prevent complications.
What benefits can I expect?
Results that are expected are a very significant and noticeable reduction in the components of sun-damaged skin such as “age-spots” (also called sun freckles, liver spots, and lentigines), fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, uneven coloration, skin laxity, textural irregularities, dull tone, and a thinned collagen layer. The skin will continue to improve for a period of 6 months following the procedure provided proper skincare is used and sun exposure is minimized. Sometimes the results are not significant until the 6th and even the 9th month, depending on the person’s age, their aftercare routine, and their history of smoking
What are the risks and side effects?
The main negative of the CO2RE is the downtime of 7-14 days. Depending on the area and the aggressiveness of the treatment, it will take 7-14 days for the skin to heal. This downtime will include significant redness and crusting. Individuals may possibly have minor bleeding and oozing depending on treatment depth, dryness, and peeling, and flaking are all common. It is extremely important to keep the skin moist after treatment. We recommend the Aquaphor and our ZO post-treatment kit. We like to refer to the downtime as social downtime. You are still capable of functioning and moving about. In rare cases, other potential side effects may include but are not limited to: skin wound, infection and scarring, hypo, and hyper-pigmentation.
After the treatment?
When you leave the office you will feel hot and tight. After the first day, your skin will be raw and at this time it is important that you follow the instructions on how to keep it healing maximally. We usually see you in the office on the first, second, or third day after the procedure to ensure that healing is going according to plan. By the 7th day, you can usually apply makeup or venture out in public, but your skin will still be pink and will be very sensitive for the better part of 1-3 months. It is of the utmost importance for you to follow the instructions given to you by your provider. An extremely strict skincare regimen and sun avoidance are recommended for best healing and optimal results for a period of 6 months following treatment. Failure to do so may result in sub-optimal results or side effects.
Your skin will continue to age as time goes on due to sun exposure, environmental stress, overall health, and lifestyle choices such as smoking. To maintain your results we recommend a healthy skincare routine including cosmeceutical products, medical-grade facials, and other procedures as directed by your provider.
Can this be combined with other treatments?
CO2RE can be combined with other treatments although we cannot do other treatments in the same area(s) treated on the same day. Many choose to have Wrinkle Relaxers or add Volume with Dermal Fillers. The Profound treatment is a lovely addition to this treatment. We may recommend botulinum toxin 2 weeks prior to the treatment as studies have shown that this may enhance the effect on wrinkles caused by movement, but we will wait one month before or after we are going to be doing fillers.
What is the cost of CO2RE?
Depending on the area treated the cost of a CO2RE treatment ranges from $1250 to $3500. If multiple areas are treated this will be more.
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