Fractional CO2 Laser near Jackson, MS
If you’re one of the millions who regularly uses over-the-counter beauty products to erase deep wrinkles and restore youthful skin, you’re probably aware that lotions and creams have their limitations when it comes to turning back the clock. Sure, they’re great for making your skin softer and healthier, but they’re also expensive and won’t produce miracles like they often promise. If you want to treat advanced skin damage and the deepest signs of aging, you have to go beneath the skin and promote healthy collagen growth.
At Faces, we’re proud to have provided some of the latest cosmetic surgery technology for patients in Ridgeland, MS for over 20 years. One of the latest additions to our practice is the fractional CO2 laser, which is used to trigger collagen growth in the face, neck, and chest. This exciting laser skin resurfacing technology is recommended for those who want to treat deep skin flaws without undergoing invasive surgery.
What is Fractional CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing?
CO2 lasers have been used for various surgical applications for many years. This type of laser targets water, which means that it can be used to treat selective layers of skin from the very superficial down to the deepest. These properties make CO2 lasers excellent tools for targeting some of the worst signs of aging: wrinkles, scarring, age spots, and uneven skin tone.
Fractional CO2 lasers use a tiny grid-like beam system to ablate small columns of your skin. This promotes healing, collagen growth, and tightening of the skin around the affected area in a process known as “resurfacing.”
What Does Laser Skin Resurfacing Treat?
CO2 lasers vaporize skin layer by layer. The lasers use pulsating beams of light to penetrate the skin at varying levels of depth depending on the condition being treated. The heat it generates tends to constrict existing collagen, which gives the skin a tighter appearance after healing. In general, physicians use fractional CO2 lasers on the face, neck, and chest to treat:
- Wrinkles
- Skin laxity (sagging, loose skin)
- Acne scarring
- Age spots
- Fine lines
- Skin surface textural irregularities
- Skin discoloration
- Dull skin tone
- Areas where collagen has thinned from aging
Those with severe acne scarring and darker skin tones may not be good candidates for this type of laser skin resurfacing. Because fractional CO2 lasers are particularly well-suited to address moderate to deep wrinkles and sun damage, they can be a particularly great option for people 40 and older with a desire to look younger and feel more confident.
What Should I Expect if I Get a Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment?
Fractional CO2 laser skin resurfacing is popular because it can produce very good results with less down time than many previous types of resurfacing procedures. The procedure is performed in our office, and we do recommend arranging a ride home because we will use an anesthetic and more often than not, a mild sedative to maximize your comfort. After your procedure, you will need about a week or two to heal. Most patients report their immediate discomfort as being no worse than a bad sunburn.
During your consultation, we’ll cover your pre- and post-treatment plan in greater detail based on your individual circumstances. If you have a history of fever blisters, anti-viral medications are commonly prescribed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment
According to the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery, laser skin resurfacing is typically not a good treatment for those with active acne, excessively saggy skin, and very dark skin. With some darker skin tones, healing can cause hyperpigmentation. However, a practitioner’s level of skill and experience can significantly impact the results. The best way to know whether this treatment is right for you is by scheduling a consultation.
After your fractional CO2 laser skin resurfacing treatment, you will need some downtime. There are some benefits to getting your treatment in the fall or winter when you might spend more time indoors. You’ll also need to take extra care protecting your healing skin from sunlight, and it may be easier during these seasons because there’s less daylight overall. But with proper sun protection, you can safely undergo this treatment any time of year.
Fractional CO2 laser treatments are performed at our clinic in Ridgeland, Mississippi.
Visit our Procedure Pricing page to learn more about the cost of a Fractional CO2 Laser treatment in Jackson, MS. It’s our pleasure and privilege to assist you on the journey to your best look ever. If you want to know more about fractional CO2 laser skin resurfacing or would like some of our patient educational resources, please contact our Ridgeland, MS facial plastic surgery practice at (601) 607-3033 or send us a message online.
