Let's make your skin look younger again? – Let's learn about Carbon Dioxide Laser Resurfacing

As we age and are exposed to the sun, it's normal for our skin to lose its youthful glow, isn't it? Sometimes, when we have wrinkles on our face, old acne scars, or age spots on our skin, we feel a little sad and regretful. So today, I thought I would talk about a very advanced and successful treatment that is used today as a solution to many of these skin problems.

Simply put, what is carbon dioxide laser treatment?

The name may sound like a big, complicated thing. But in simple terms, it is a method that uses a high-tech laser beam to carefully remove a very thin layer of the surface of your skin. Think of it like an experienced artist slowly scraping away the discolored layer on the top of an old canvas, giving it a new look. When this laser beam removes the layer of damaged skin cells, the damage to the surrounding healthy skin is minimal. This is a method that has been used to treat various skin conditions for years. However, thanks to modern technology, namely laser machines that emit very short pulses of light (`ultrapulsed`), this treatment has been greatly improved, and the results are very good. Today, among the treatments available to reduce skin wrinkles, such as creams like tretinoin, vitamin C serum, chemical peels, and botulinum toxin (Botox®) injections, this laser treatment has a special place.

What should I expect during and after treatment?

This treatment is usually done on an outpatient basis, without staying in the hospital. Before the treatment begins, you will be given a medicine that will make you feel slightly drowsy, either by mouth or through a vein. Then, the area of ​​skin being treated will be numbed with a local anesthetic. If the entire face is being treated, you may also be given general anesthesia. This will depend on your condition and the doctor's decision.

• If treating only one area of ​​the face (e.g. around the eyes), 30-45 minutesIt takes a while.
• If you are treating the entire face, it may take about an hour and a half to two hours .

After the treatment, a non-stick dressing will be applied to the area. This will need to be left in place for about 24 hours. You will then be instructed to clean the area at home. You will be instructed to clean it with saline solution or water with a little vinegar added, two to five times a day, and apply a cream (e.g. Vaseline®, Eucerin®) recommended by your doctor. This is to prevent the wound from drying out and forming scabs. If scabs form, they increase the risk of scarring and take longer to heal.

The healing process

The treated areas usually heal in 10 to 21 days . This time depends on your skin condition and the intensity of the laser used. The more intense the laser, the longer the healing time. After the skin heals, the area will appear pinkish-red. This is normal. You can use oil-free makeup to mask this redness. Green-based makeup is especially helpful in controlling this redness. For those with darker skin, there is a risk of hyperpigmentation during healing. To prevent this, your doctor will advise you to use a bleaching agent before and after treatment.

What are the possible risks and side effects?

As with any medical treatment, there are some minor risks and side effects that can occur, and it's important to be aware of them.

• Milia: Small white bumps may appear on the skin during the healing process. These usually go away when gently wiped with a cloth. Or your doctor can easily remove them.
• Acne: Some people may experience increased acne after treatment. In most cases, this will resolve on its own or can be controlled with standard acne treatments .
• Skin discoloration:Sometimes, skin discoloration can occur (hyperpigmentation) or, very rarely, lightening (hypopigmentation). Dark areas can be treated with topical creams.
• Herpes Recurrence: If you have had a previous herpes infection (called cold sores), especially if you are treated around the mouth, it is possible for them to recur. To prevent this, you will be given an antiviral medicine (` antiviral medicine`) for 7-10 days before and after treatment.
• Bacterial infections : To prevent this, you will be advised to take an antibiotic for a few days before and after treatment.
• Swelling: It is normal to experience some swelling after treatment. Your doctor may give you a steroid injection to reduce this. At home, you can reduce swelling by sleeping with an extra pillow under your head and applying an ice pack for the first 24-48 hours.
• Scarring: The chance of this happening is very low. But we should be aware that it can happen. This risk can be minimized by undergoing treatment under the guidance of an experienced doctor.
• Smoking : If you are a smoker, it is essential to stop completely before and after treatment. Smoking can have a fatal negative impact on the healing process.

How to take care of the skin after treatment?

It is very important to protect the newly formed, sensitive skin after healing.

• Sunscreen: Be sure to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, whenever you go outside. This will protect your new skin from the sun's rays .
• Moisturizer: Use a good moisturizer daily to retain moisture in the skin.
• Other cosmetics: If you have previously used products like Retin-A or glycolic acid, you can start using them again about 6 weeks after treatment.But it's definitely something you should do after consulting your doctor and following his advice .

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