ABOUT
Are you self-conscious about an uneven complexion, sun damage, wrinkles or scars? Treatment with our fractional c02 Laser is considered the optimum approach for laser cosmetic resurfacing. It can help to eliminate lines and wrinkles around the eyes, lips, forehead and cheeks, as well as rejuvenate skin that shows signs of damage due to ageing, sun exposure or scarring. The C02 Laser resurfacing treatment will improve the appearance of:
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Lines and wrinkles
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Uneven skin texture
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Uneven complexions and pigmentation
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Scarring (including acne scarring)
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Sun damage
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Age spots
Laser resurfacing with fraction c02 laser can be tailored to suit your skin type, and will leave you with younger looking, smoother and softer skin.
Downtime 5-10 days
Pain ●●●○○
Treatment Time 45 - 60 minutes
WHAT TO EXPECT
A one-on-one consultation is scheduled with our dermal aesthetician to discuss your areas of concern as well as your relevant medical history. We then work together to create a customised treatment plan to help you achieve your skin goals. Often, this procedure can be combined with other in clinic skin treatments to obtain optimal results.
To allow for a higher degree of application and depending on the area being treated, numbing cream is advisable, although some discomfort may still be experienced.
A moisturiser will be applied in clinic immediately after the procedure as well as sunscreen for unexpected sun exposure during the day.
What to expect during the recovery process:
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Your skin will feel raw for the first day and may feel like a sunburn with itching, stinging and peeling.
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Your skin may blister, be crusty or swollen
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After about 5-7 days, your skin will become dry and start to peel. The skin beneath may have a pink or pale appearance that will gradually take on your skin colour. This process can take up to a year.
Some common side effects include:
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Some skin discolouration and swelling
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Skin that feels raw, similar to a mild sunburn
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Itching, dryness and peeling
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Sun sensitivity
Deeper, more extensive resurfacing can leave your skin looking and feeling like it might after severe sunburn with some ooze and blistering. Post care is important to follow for this treatment.
HOW IT WORKS
C02 Laser resurfacing uses pulses of laser light. These beams penetrate the skin's surface, where water in the skin cells absorbs them. when this happens, the superficial layer of your skin is vaporised. The dermis, or middle layer, heats up, stimulating the growth of new collagen fibres. As the area heals, new firmer, smoother skin replaces the old layers.
During c02 Laser resurfacing, our cosmetic nurses can target specific areas of your skin with precision, so the treatment wont affect the rest of the skin nearby.
RESULTS
After the treatment you may notice some immediate results after healing from your c02 Laser treatment. This can include smoother skin, a more even skin tone, a reduction in pore size. However, the real benefits of the treatment will continue to build for 3-6 months after your treatment.
It can be expected that results will last for up to a year, however with regular treatment and maintenance these results can be expected to last longer.
Depending upon assessment, you will usually require between 1 - 3 sessions at 6 weekly intervals for optimum results.
WHO IS NOT SUITABLE
Anyone who:
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Is pregnant or breastfeeding
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Has active sunburn
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Experience light-triggered seizures
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Has active breakouts or skin infections
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Individuals with implanted medical devices
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Has had anti-wrinkle injectables in the past 2 weeks and filler injectables in the past 3 weeks.
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If you are unsure, contact our clinic
POST TREATMENT CARE
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Avoid heat inducing activities for 3 - 5 days post treatment including hot baths, massages, sun and UV exposure, scratching, excessive sweating etc.
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No other products to be used for 24-48 hours.
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No active ingredients to be applied to the skin for at least 5-7 days.
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We highly recommend only using Stratacel for the first 2 weeks as the only skincare product during this healing time as your skin is compromised and highly reactive.
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Don't wear makeup on the treated area until it is healed. Alternatively a medical-grade product is suitable upon direction of one of our registered nurses in clinic, available across both of our locations.
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Avoid rubbing, scratching or picking at your skin.
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Don't shave over the treated area.
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Avoid exposing the treated area to the sun until it's completely healed. If you need to be in the sun, use sunscreen of at least SPF 50 or wear clothing or a hat that protects the treated area from the sun.
TREATMENT PREPARATION
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Avoid tanning or heavy sun exposure for 4 weeks before treatment. No fake tan on the day of treatment.
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Not use medications that can cause sun sensitivity, such as doxycycline, for 3 days before treatment.
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Taking an anti-viral medication for a few days before and after treatment if you have a history of herpes or shingles.
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You should discontinue any irritant topical agents for 2-3 days prior to treatment such as AHA, BHA, Retinol.
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We also recommend that you avoid anticoagulants such as aspirin throughout the treatment regimen if medical condition permits and pertinent to physician approval. Anticoagulants/ Fish oil increase the possibility of bruising.
FOLLOW UP STEPS
To achieve the best results, an initial course of up to 3 treatments are recommended. Due to the aging process occurring, we do recommend on-going once or twice a year maintenance.
Your next treatment is due within 6 weeks apart. One is rarely enough on it’s own but will tend to show some improvement. Every patient’s condition and treatment needs vary.
For more information about what results you can expect or the number of treatments that are necessary to treat your concern, consult with our Dermal Aesthetician during consultation.