What is CO2 laser resurfacing?
Laser resurfacing, sometimes called laser peel, uses a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser to remove areas of damaged or wrinkled skin, layer by layer.
The procedure is commonly used to minimize fine lines around the mouth and the eyes as well as treating facial scars or areas of uneven pigmentation.
Laser resurfacing may be performed on the whole face or in specific regions.
Often, the procedure is done in conjunction with another cosmetic operation, such as a facelift or eyelid surgery.
You may want CO2 laser resurfacing if you:
- Have damaged or wrinkled facial skin
- Wish to reduce the appearance of fine lines around the mouth and eyes
- Suffer from facial scars
- Have uneven areas of pigmentation on the face
- Do not wish to undergo chemical peel or dermabrasion
The Procedure
Laser resurfacing is performed using a beam of laser energy that vaporizes the upper layers of damaged skin at specific and controlled levels of penetration.
During laser resurfacing, the outer layers of damaged skin are stripped away.
Then, as new cells form during the healing process, a smoother, tighter, younger-looking skin surface appears.
Using a CO2 laser has more precision, decreases the amount of bleeding, lessens pain and speeds up recovery time from other facial procedures.
This procedure is generally performed under local anesthesia.
Full healing from this procedure takes about 7-10 days.