“Turn Back Time” with Laser Resurfacing
Full CO2 laser resurfacing is a serious invasive cosmetic procedure with dramatic and immediate results. This is not a fractionated lunchtime peel. CO2 laser resurfacing requires a patient’s commitment to several days of downtime for recovery, however, it continues to be an ideal method for eliminating moderate to deep lines and creases, due to aging and sun damage. It is a tried and true approach to serious skin rejuvenation.
CO2 laser resurfacing precisely removes tissue, layer by layer, and the healing from that corrects moderate to deep lines and wrinkles, acne scars, softening pucker marks, and repairing skin discolorations. The results are generally quite dramatic, effective and long-lasting.
This procedure does not result in that face-lift, pulled back, look. Also, there is no cutting or stitching involved in resurfacing. CO2 laser resurfacing restores your skin to a healthy state, similar to that of skin that has not experienced sun damage or scarring. With proper sun protection, results can persist for more than five years. It truly forces the skin to repair itself and ‘turns back the clock’ on your facial appearance.
Come in and talk to Dr. Cohn about what you can expect from resurfacing. She will answer all your questions and can tell you if resurfacing is appropriate for you.
The Merits of CO2 Laser Technology
Question
How do CO2 laser treatments work?
Answer
With facial resurfacing, a high-energy beam of CO2 light is used to vaporize lines, wrinkles, scars, dark spots and other irregularities, layer by layer. This process also stimulates the formation over time of new, underlying collagen to provide better elasticity and support for the skin.
Question
Can CO2 laser technology be used less invasively for treating milder skin imperfections?
Answer
With CO2 laser technology, skin resurfacing is so precise that you can tailor treatment according to the nature and extent of skin damage, skin type and individual requirements for recovery time. CO2 laser technology offers both superior results for treating deep wrinkles and the ability to achieve controlled superficial resurfacing.
Question
What results can patients expect, and how long will the benefits of treatment last?
Answer
Laser resurfacing can restore your patient’s skin to a healthy state, similar to that of skin that has not experienced sun damage or scarring. With proper sun protection, results can persist for more than five years. In areas where muscle activity is strong, lines may begin to reappear sooner. As skin continues to age at a normal rate, patients are advised to maintain results with a ‘touch-up’ resurfacing treatment. In any event, with cosmetic laser surgery you will have definitively ‘turned back the clock.’
Question
What are the advantages of using authentic CO2 vs. erbium lasers that lengthen pulse width in an effort to achieve clinical results similar to CO2?
Answer
A bilateral study comparing resurfacing with long pulse erbium:YAG followed by traditional short-pulse erbium ablation to UltraPulse® CO2 followed by short-pulse erbium ablation (Rostan E, Goldman M, Fitzpatrick R. Laser Resurfacing With a Dual-Mode, Long-Pulse Erbium:YAG Laser Compared to the 950-s Pulsed CO2 Laser. Am J Cosmetic Surg. 2000; 17(4):227-231.) found that there was no statistical difference in healing between the two sides and in 5 patients (26%), greater clinical improvement in periorbital lines, perioral lines, or both was noted on the UltraPulse® CO2 side. (A reprint of this article can be ordered from the Lumenis web site, Lumenis Lit. # 5448).

Details
Before:
51-year-old female with fine vermilion rhytids of perioral area related to aging.
After:
The area 3 months after CO2 laser ablation of rhytids.

Details
Before:
51-year-old male with fine rhytids of the perioral area related to aging.
After:
The area 3 weeks after CO2 laser ablation of rhytids.

Details
Before:
Patient with fine rhytids around upper and lower lip..
After:
Three months post-operative from CO2 laser ablation of fine rhytids.