DR FAIZAL ALI       

PLASTIC, RECONSTRUCTIVE AND COSMETIC SURGEON

The common side effects are pain, itching, redness and / or swelling for few days. In rare cases, some patients may experience scab formation, bruises, infection and temporary hypo or hyper-pigmentation. There is no restriction of daily activities after the treatment. However, it is advisable to apply more moisturizer and sun block to soothe the skin and stay away from excessive sun exposure during the recovery period.

Uses of Fractional CO2 laser treatment include:

•New cell production is enhanced

•Strengthens the collagen matrix

•Skin firmness is enhanced •Pores are minimized

•Pigmentation & age spots are minimized

•To treat photo aged skin and fine lines

•To treat scars - chicken pox, post acne, post 

  traumatic scars

•Eliminates dead cells from the epidermis

•Skin becomes healthier and radiant

The Procedure

Fractional CO2 Laser is a well-tolerated and safe procedure. An anaesthetic cream can be applied to make the treatment more comfortable. Immediately after the treatment the skin will appear red and sometimes minimally swollen. There will be numerous microscopic dots on the treated area, which will develop into fine scabs within a day, or two. The scabs will disappear within 3 - 4 days; after which the skin is smoother and clearer. The entire recovery process takes about 3 - 5 days.

If a more intense treatment is being performed, the recovery process may take up to a week. An individual may require 4 - 7 treatments done once in 2 - 3 weeks. The actual number of treatment would depend on the severity of the skin condition, skin type and lifestyle. Upon achieving the desired results, the treatment can be continued for a prolonged duration at regular intervals of 3 - 5 weeks to maintain a healthier, radiant looking skin and to prevent the recurrence of the initial condition.

There are many types and similarly numerous brands of Fractional Laser. Fractional CO2 Laser has the longest wavelength of 10,600 nm compared to Fractional Erbium YAG (2940 nm) or Fractional Erbium Glass (1550 nm).

The CO2 Laser's longer wavelength allows deeper penetration that helps not only in exfoliation and skin rejuvenation but also in skin resurfacing to treat fine lines and photo-aged skin. Fractional CO2 Laser is currently the gold standard to treat acne, pigmentation, scars (post acne and traumatic), open pores, dull texture & complexion, stretch marks and photo aged skin; for both the face and body. It is also very popular for face, neck, décolleté and hand rejuvenation.

FRACTIONAL CARBON DIOXIDE LASER

The antiaging breakthrough of the decade, according to many doctors, is a skin-resurfacing treatment known as CO2 fractional laser therapy. Combining the effectiveness of traditional carbon dioxide lasers ,long thought to be the gold standard in wrinkle removal with a new application technique, it delivers powerful results without the traditionally harsh side effects. Essentially, you are getting all the benefits of laser resurfacing, still the best way to remove wrinkles without the downtime and without the high complication rate.

How does it work? The natural aging process, combined with exposure to sun and pollution, destroys collagen, s new: Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing does this in a way that prevents damage to the top layer of skin, offering maximum results with minimal recovery time. It is quick, accomplished in one or two sessions, with about four days downtime.. Common minor side effects for fractional laser resurfacing include redness and swelling that lasts about two days.