CO2 treatments include fractional CO2 for skin rejuvenation and scar treatment as well as CO2 ablation for moles/skintags/other lesions. CO2 laser is a type of ablative laser which can precisely remove thin layers of the skin while simultaneously heating the lower layers of the skin. This helps to stimulate collagen production.
Numbing cream is applied for about 20-30 minutes. Upon removal of the numbing cream, the fractional CO2 laser treatment will be performed and takes about 5-10 minutes.
For the removal of moles/skin tags and other lesions, numbing cream is applied for the same duration. Subsequently it takes just a few minutes for CO2 ablation of a single lesion.
Generally, there is minimal discomfort during the procedure. There will be some pain upon water touching the area after the effect of the numbing cream has worn off, which patients will usually experience when they shower or first wash the lesion.
It can be done anywhere on the body including the face.
Fractional CO2 has a downtime of about 7-10 days. There will be microdots on the area treated which will turn from white to red/brown scabs which will eventually peel off on the 5th-7th day, revealing a smooth, clear and brighter complexion beneath.
For CO2 ablation to moles/skintags/other lesions, there may be a depression in the area treated depending on the depth the lesion extends to. This wound will heal by secondary intention and may be a pinkish colour during the healing process which should take about 1-2 weeks usually, depending on the size of the lesion removed. Subsequently, it will most likely return to the colour of the surrounding skin in a few weeks but may take a few months for some individuals. Healing and recovery varies from individual.
Risks of the procedure include:
Your doctor will discuss in detail and can customise the treatment settings to suit your skin to reduce the risks of the procedure.
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