Frequently Asked questions
Is CO2 safe?
The FDA has cleared CO2 laser treatment for a number of issues related to skin tone and texture. CO2 has an excellent safety profile. As with any controlled injury to the skin, there risks associated with treatment, and with the healing process, which will be reviewed in detail during your consultation. As a teacher and trainer of other physicians in laser procedures, Dr. Cox stresses the importance of finding an experienced physician who understands the finer points of laser treatment. It is also important to know who will be providing anesthesia if that’s part of the treatment plan.
CO2 downtime
Comfort measures are developed for each patient based on the treatment plan, and most patients report little discomfort during and after the procedure. We can provide medication to help you relax you prior to the treatment. Although the procedure itself typically lasts 45-60 minutes, you should plan to spend several hours in our office and will need a driver to take you home.
CO2 laser requires downtime. The extent of downtime depends on the area treated and the laser settings selected to achieve your goals. Pinpoint bleeding and oozing may occur immediately after the procedure and continue for the first 48 hours. Most patients experience swelling, puffiness, redness that typically subsides after a week, but may last up to a month. During the healing process, common side effects include itching, dryness, peeling or flaking, oozing and crusting. It is typically possible to go about your normal routine within two weeks after the procedure.
The way you treat your skin during the healing process is incredibly important and can affect your results. It is essential to follow the personalized post-care instructions given to you after your procedure. Throughout recovery, it is also important to drink lots of water and avoid all sun exposure.
CO2 RESULTS
The CO2 laser is one of the most aggressive aesthetic laser treatments, and results tend to be dramatic. You can expect a relatively dramatic reduction of textural issues, such as crepiness, fine lines, scars, wrinkles, creases, unwanted pigment and sun damage. Improvement is generally evident within a few weeks, with further improvement noticeable over the next three to six months as the deeper layers of the skin heal, and produce elevated amounts of collagen. Patients are typically happy with results from one treatment.
YOUR TREATMENT TEAM
Dr. Cox, Dr. Ishii and Dr. Kamrani perform the CO2 laser treatment. Our state-of-the-art laser and devices center is led by Dr. Cox, a published expert in these treatments.