The anti-aging breakthrough of the decade, according to WebMD and leading Dermatologists, is a skin-resurfacing treatment known as Fractional CO2. 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 and downtime.

So, how does the Fractional CO2 work?

The laser works by vaporizing the tissue and drilling microscopic beams into the epidermis. The wavelength of the Fractional CO2 is carbon dioxide. For years Carbon Dioxide lasers have been recognized as the “gold standard” for treating deep fine lines, sun damage, wrinkles and acne scars. However, in the last 5 years, there has been a real shift to fractionated lasers because Fractional CO2 treatments involve fewer complications and downtime.

“Essentially, you are getting all the benefits of laser resurfacing, still the best way to remove wrinkles, but you’re getting it without the downtime and without the horrendous complication rate,” says David Goldberg, MD, director of Skin Laser and Surgery Specialists of New York and New Jersey and clinical professor of dermatology at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.

The most common conditions that the Fractional CO2 address: Fine lines and wrinkles of the face
Scars, especially acne scars
Eyelid laxity and lines around the eyes
Pucker marks (smoker’s lines) and frown lines
Brown spots and splotchy, uneven skin tone

What Will I look like immediately after my Treatment?

Patients typically experience swelling and a mild sunburn sensation for about 1-2 hours following the treatment. The first 3 to 5 days your face will have a red complexion with swelling. Typically a Post-Ablative kit is included to speed up healing by exfoliation of the dead skin cells and to enhance results. Mineral makeup is can be used typically on Day 4 to help cover any redness.

In Conclusion-

Due to the heating of dermal collagen during the laser treatment tightening of skin laxity and improvement of rhytids (fine lines) continue for up to 6 months. The results of the treatments are dramatic and with proper sun protection, effects are thought to last 8 to 10 years. Most effects of treatment become visible right away, whereas such as new collagen formation build up gradually and result in continued smoothing over time.