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CO2 Laser
Resurfacing in Atlanta, GA

Reimagine Your Skin

CO2 Laser Resurfacing Atlanta, GA at Oculus Plastic Surgery CO2 Laser Resurfacing Atlanta, GA at Oculus Plastic Surgery

Atlanta CO2 Laser Resurfacing
at Oculus Plastic Surgery

Aging doesn’t just mean fine lines and wrinkles. As your body’s natural collagen production progressively declines, time can affect every aspect of your skin’s health.

With less collagen, your body’s ability to replace damaged skin cells with brighter, healthier cells diminishes, allowing for such concerns about your skin’s tone, texture, evenness, and elasticity to emerge. CO2 Laser Resurfacing is a modern approach to non-surgical facial rejuvenation, delivering a comprehensive solution to signs of aging. Schedule your consultation with premier Atlanta CO2 laser provider Oculus Plastic Surgery to discuss your options, and receive a personalized treatment plan from a quadruple board-certified eye and facial plastic surgeon.

About-Face Aging

What is CO2 Laser Resurfacing?

CO2 Fractional Laser Resurfacing improves overall skin quality – diminishing fine lines and wrinkles and erasing sun spots and freckles, while also tightening and improving the health of the skin

CO2 Laser Resurfacing is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure. Candidates for CO2 laser resurfacing are people who desire an overall more youthful appearance and may have acne scars, sunspots, and/or facial wrinkling. It is necessary to have moderate to light-colored skin for laser resurfacing. Dark skin tones can heal in a hypopigmented (lighter) shade, differing from the skin on the neck and remainder of the body. Therefore, Dr. Cole recommends other skin treatments, such as UltraClear laser resurfacing, for persons of color.

Fractional Treatment. All-Over Results.

CO2 Laser Resurfacing Atlanta, GA at Oculus Plastic Surgery CO2 Laser Resurfacing Atlanta, GA at Oculus Plastic Surgery

What are the benefits of CO2 Laser Resurfacing?

The fractional CO2 laser system allows for maximal results with minimal damage by removing columns of skin while leaving areas surrounding each column unaffected. This allows for a faster recovery than non-fractionated laser treatment. CO2 Laser Resurfacing causes the body to flood your treated skin with collagen and repair damaged cells with new healthy ones. You can expect significant improvements in your skin texture, tone, and elasticity.

CO2 Laser Resurfacing Atlanta, GA at Oculus Plastic Surgery

Facial Treatment Experts

Your CO2 Laser Resurfacing Consultation

At Oculus Plastic Surgery, we specialize in advanced treatments and facial rejuvenation. Under the guidance of quadruple board-certified Dr. Chip Cole, we can help you select the most beneficial treatment for your concerns, lifestyle, goals, and preferences. Schedule your consultation to discuss CO2 laser treatment and other state-of-the-art options.

Laser Precision

Your CO2 Laser Resurfacing Procedure

CO2 Fractional Laser Resurfacing is controlled vaporization of fractions, or islands, on the superficial layers of the skin. The laser is set at a customized and safe wattage and density to ensure that the treatment does not go too deep. The laser stimulates new skin that heals from the InsideOut™ and promotes collagen growth, thereby diminishing fine lines and wrinkles.

A Breath of Fresh Air

CO2 Laser Resurfacing Results

While you can expect to notice firmer skin immediately after your treatment, your results will continue to develop for three to six months after your procedure. As your body continuously works to replace old skin cells with newer, younger skin, you can expect smooth, bright, even, youthful skin. Results from laser resurfacing are long-lasting. However, you can bolster your results with an ongoing skincare regimen and skin fitness.

Out with the Old

CO2 Laser Resurfacing Atlanta, GA at Oculus Plastic Surgery CO2 Laser Resurfacing Atlanta, GA at Oculus Plastic Surgery

CO2 Laser Resurfacing Recovery and Aftercare

Most patients are back to their normal routine within a week, although complete recovery may take 3 to 4 months. Following CO2 Laser Resurfacing Atlanta patients may notice their skin is pink to red like with a sunburn. Protection from the sun is very important during this recovery period.

CO2 Laser Resurfacing Frequently Asked Questions

CO2 resurfacing can be done using a fractional approach, leading to faster healing compared to traditional CO2 lasers. With fractional laser treatment, the healing process typically takes about a week, and you may experience some pinkness for up to two weeks. It's worth noting that this healing time is significantly improved compared to older CO2 laser procedures used in the past (early 90s).

CO2 fractional resurfacing has brought great satisfaction to many of our patients. Some of our most delighted patients have undergone this procedure and often refer others to us. CO2 fractional resurfacing is generally considered a comfortable procedure, ensuring a positive experience for patients.

The results of CO2 fractional resurfacing typically last between 10 to 15 years. However, it's important to note that individual results may vary. Patients who maintain good skincare habits and minimize sun exposure have reported long-lasting results, even up to 20 or 25 years after the procedure. For those who continue to engage in activities that may damage the skin, such as extensive sun exposure, undergoing CO2 laser resurfacing every five years may be an option to help maintain healthy skin while enjoying an active lifestyle.

Patients typically experience minimal discomfort during CO2 laser resurfacing. We usually recommend pain medication for the first day, followed by a switch to over-the-counter options like Tylenol. Compared to earlier methods, the newer fractionated CO2 laser technology has significantly reduced the level of discomfort associated with the procedure.

One of the notable advantages of CO2 fractionated resurfacing is that it is a single-session procedure, often referred to as "one and done." Unlike some other laser treatments that may require multiple sessions, a CO2 laser resurfacing procedure can achieve desired results with just one treatment.

Following CO2 laser resurfacing, your skin will initially resemble a significant sunburn for the first two or three days. As the healing progresses, it transitions into a milder sunburn-like appearance. Around the one-week mark, the pink stage can typically be covered up, which may persist for a few weeks. After a month or two, you will be left with rejuvenated and improved skin, with no visible remnants of pinkness or noticeable changes resulting from the laser treatment.

CO2 laser resurfacing offers a higher level of precision and control compared to a chemical peel. With a CO2 laser, we have the ability to adjust the width, depth, and energy level, tailoring the treatment to specific areas of the skin. On the other hand, chemical peels rely on the application of a solution with limited control. While you can halt the effects of a chemical peel with other solutions, the level of precision achieved with CO2 laser resurfacing makes it a preferred choice for many individuals seeking more targeted and customizable results.

CO2 laser resurfacing offers the advantage of versatility in terms of depth. It can be used superficially, similar to microneedling, or it can penetrate deeper layers of the skin. This means that CO2 laser resurfacing can address a range of concerns. For instance, if someone has fine wrinkles, a lighter application can be used, while deeper acne-related changes can be addressed with a deeper treatment. In contrast, microneedling primarily works at a superficial level. Some individuals even compare the effects of microneedling to those achieved with fine-grade sandpaper. Therefore, the variability and depth control provided by CO2 laser resurfacing make it a preferred choice for many patients.

Maintaining proper skin moisture is vital following CO2 laser resurfacing, and we'll help give guidance on suitable agents for this. Around three to four days after the procedure, you may notice a slight rise and shedding of the skin. We recommend refraining from scrubbing the skin during the recovery process. Instead, we advise gentle finger pad massages to facilitate the natural healing process, allowing the skin to regenerate from the inside out.

The redness you experience after CO2 laser resurfacing is a result of the treatment as well as the increased blood flow required for skin healing. The majority of redness typically subsides within the first week to 10 days, and it can be easily concealed with makeup during this period. However, if you expose your face to water without makeup, such as stepping out of a shower or swimming pool, you may notice a pinkness that can persist for about one to two months.

Visible results from CO2 fractionated laser treatment usually become apparent around one week to 10 days when the initial redness transitions to a pink shade. Under a microscope, ongoing healing and improvement of the skin can continue for up to 12 to 18 months. From a clinical perspective, the majority of the recovery process is typically completed within 4 to 6 months.

Following CO2 fractionated resurfacing, mild facial swelling can be expected for approximately two weeks. After this initial period, the swelling gradually subsides, leaving behind minimal swelling and only a slight pinkness.

The degree of improvement in your skin's appearance from CO2 fractionated laser resurfacing can vary from person to person. Many individuals report feeling like they look anywhere from 10 to 15 years younger, often based on feedback from friends and acquaintances. It's important to note that quantifying the exact level of youthfulness achieved can be subjective, and while it varies for each individual, the feedback we usually receive from clients tends to fall within that range.

There are several steps we can take to help accelerate the healing process after CO2 fractionated laser resurfacing, and we will provide you with detailed guidance during your office visit. These may include the use of specialized creams, prescribed medications, and techniques such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy. By employing these techniques, we aim to enhance the healing process and promote a faster recovery.

CO2 fractionated laser resurfacing is highly effective in tightening the skin, improving its texture, and addressing issues of discoloration. This procedure is specifically designed to enhance all three aspects, resulting in a noticeable improvement in skin tightness, texture, and overall appearance.

CO2 laser resurfacing provides long-lasting results. For individuals with a higher risk of skin cancer due to family history or excessive sun exposure, they may opt for laser resurfacing once a year for three to four consecutive years to significantly improve the health of their skin. However, for those primarily seeking cosmetic benefits, the treatments are usually done approximately once every three to five years. For most people, a single CO2 laser resurfacing procedure is sufficient to achieve their desired results.

CO2 fractionated laser resurfacing can be performed with either minimal sedation and being awake or under heavier anesthesia. The choice depends on various factors, such as whether you are undergoing additional procedures along with laser resurfacing. If you are only receiving laser treatment in the eye region, it can be comfortably numbed and blocked in the office without the need for further sedation. However, if other procedures are involved, it may be more practical to combine them and perform them under anesthesia.

After undergoing CO2 fractionated laser resurfacing, it is important to continue keeping the skin lubricated for approximately 24 to 48 hours to facilitate healing. Following this initial period, you can safely shower. We recommend adopting a "beauty parlor style" approach, tilting your head back to prevent soapy water from contacting the treated skin while washing your hair. It is important to use gentle finger pads instead of an aggressive washcloth. Generally, you can shower starting at around two days post-procedure, and if needed, you can use Dawn liquid dishwashing soap to remove any residual ointment that may have spread into your hair.

Before undergoing CO2 fractionated laser resurfacing, it is crucial to avoid getting a sunburn and refrain from any treatments that may impact your skin. This includes avoiding other procedures, red light treatments, or laser procedures. The most important is sun avoidance, and in some cases, we may recommend pretreatment to suppress any pigmentation reactions before the CO2 laser resurfacing procedure.

After undergoing CO2 fractionated laser resurfacing, we provide specific instructions to ensure optimal healing. It is essential to avoid sun exposure, especially during the first two weeks when your skin is most vulnerable. We will guide you on the use of sunscreen and provide recommendations for appropriate lubricants and ointments to maintain skin health. Remember, protecting your skin from the sun is the most critical aspect during the initial stages of recovery after laser resurfacing.

Once you have undergone CO2 fractionated laser resurfacing, it is vital to diligently follow the post-operative instructions provided to you. Additionally, it is important to minimize factors that contribute to skin damage, such as excessive sun exposure. We also recommend establishing a regular skincare routine with an esthetician or skincare specialist who can assist in maintaining the health and vitality of your skin. Think of it as investing in your skin's fitness and overall well-being.

Laser Resurfacing Videos

CO2 Laser Resurfacing with Dr. Cole - Oculus Plastic Surgery

Does it help sun damage? | Non-Surgical Laser Resurfacing with UltraClear

Non-Surgical Laser Helps with Scars for People of ALL SKIN TYPES | Patient tells Doctor

Schedule your consultation with Atlanta’s premier facial plastic surgeon

Learn what’s possible with some of the most advanced techniques in the field today. During your consultation, Dr. Cole will use his extensive knowledge and experience to recommend an optimally beneficial treatment plan tailored to you. At Oculus Plastic Surgery, our honest and patient-focused approach ensures that every patient can achieve their best outcome.

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