CO2 Laser Treatment

CO2 laser resurfacing is an advanced way to reduce or minimize scarring and scar tissue – traumatic scars, surgical scars, and burns – and improve your quality of life.

What is a CO2 Laser?

A revolutionary tool in scar treatment, our CO2 laser improves both deep scarring and surface imperfections. For severe scars, we use microscopically small “microbeams” that penetrate far under the skin to treat scar tissue and stimulate the body to produce new, healthier collagen, which is vital to healing. Additionally, many patients also opt for additional CO2 laser treatment to the surface of the skin that corrects color imperfections and treats the skin’s surface texture with fine precision.

Candidates for CO2 Laser Resurfacing

CO2 laser resurfacing is an excellent treatment for a wide range of scars, from mild cosmetic issues to traumatic scars that seriously affect your daily activity. It can be used not only on the face but on other areas of the body.

CO2 laser treatment can provide relief for patients with burn and scaring including:

• Hypertrophic Burn Scars
• Keloid
• Contracture
• Pruritus (itching)
• Restricted range of motion

In addition, the CO2 laser can also improve:

• Deep wrinkles
• Acne scars
• Fine lines
• Uneven skin tone and texture

Planning for Your CO2 Laser Procedure

First, schedule a consultation with your plastic surgeon. Be open about your goals for your treatment and your expectations of how it will improve your condition. You and your surgeon will work together to understand both what you want as well as what can be achieved with CO2 laser treatment, both in the short-term and the long-term. Based on your discussion, your surgeon will create a personalized plan for your treatment and care that fits your specific needs and expectations.

The consultation will include:

• A complete medical history, including information about previous surgical procedures; past and present medical conditions; and any medications or herbal supplements you are taking
• A complete physical examination
• A discussion of any possible risks and complications of the procedure

Preparing for Your Procedure

You will be given step-by step instructions, including guidelines on eating, drinking, and taking medications prior to your procedure. Please ask a friend or loved one to drive you to and from your procedure. We also recommend you ask someone to be available to help for a day or two after treatment, just in case you need an extra set of hands.

Where Your CO2 Laser Procedure Will be Performed

Your procedure will take place at the Crozer Health Surgery Center at Brinton Lake, in Glen Mills. Most procedures are completed on a one-day, outpatient basis.  

Types of Anesthesia

To ensure your comfort throughout your treatment, general anesthesia will be used in most cases. This will allow you to sleep through the procedure.

Local anesthesia with intravenous sedation may be an option for some patients.

Performing the Procedure

A high-energy laser beam is applied in a fractional pattern over the surface of the treatment area, leaving areas of untouched skin to promote quicker healing. Where the CO2 fractional laser is applied, it creates microscopic channels that trigger the process of new collagen and elastic fiber production. The result is deep dermal regeneration that dramatically improves your skin elasticity and appearance. 

Performed by a specially trained physician, the CO2 laser treatment has FDA clearance and been clinically validated in dozens of studies.

After Your CO2 Laser Treatment

The CO2 laser’s beams make tiny openings in the skin’s surface, there is a period of a few days after the treatment when patients experience swelling, redness, and some watery oozing in the treated area. However, healing is quick, and little care is required. Minimal self-treatment is needed for about one week, and redness will decrease daily over the following week. Many patients will start to see improvements in just 10 days. These improvements will continue over the next months as the skin produces new, healthy collagen.

Specific information on post-treatment self-care will be provided at discharge. Please be sure to follow these instructions closely for the best results as your scarring decreases.

Also, be sure to attend all post-treatment follow-up appointments so your surgeon can check your progress, determine if any additional care is needed, and answer your questions.