The carbon dioxide laser has been a popular surgeon’s tool over the past several years, but its use has been limited due to the risk of scarring and pigmentary changes resulting from the deep thermal damage (or heat build-up) it produces in the skin.  The CO2 laser has eliminated this problem with the development of a high-energy, short pulse waveform which can limit the thermal impact to the outer layers of the skin.

When the skin is treated with the CO2 laser, a clean, layer-by-layer vaporization of the skin occurs.  The undesired skin literally evaporates due to the high water content of the epidermis.  The laser is, therefore, best-suited for those skin conditions which are superficial in nature, such as fine lines and wrinkles, blotchiness (or dark and light patches), keratoses (pre-cancers), scaling, and mild acne scarring.  The skin in these conditions is resurfaced or “rejuvenated” by the vaporizing action of the laser.

The procedure is quick, bloodless, and does not require general anesthesia.  The initial healing process takes place over 1-2 weeks, leaving pink, smoother, “new”skin.  The pink skin turns normal in color over the next few months.  Because the CO2 laser is so precise, the risk of scarring or other complications (such as infection) is minimized.  Also, it is typical for a patient to return to his or her regular work or social activities within 7 to 10 days following laser treatment with the use of makeup.