CO2 Laser Therapy – Cape Cod, Needham, Wareham
The carbon dioxide laser in Cape Cod has been a popular tool for many years. Also known as the Ultra Pulse laser, it limits the thermal impact to the most superficial portion (outer layer) of the skin. When the skin is treated with the Ultra Pulse laser, a clean layer-by-layer vaporization of the epidermis occurs. The undesired skin literally evaporates due to the high water content of the epidermis.
New skin then resurfaces, so the laser is therefore best suited for those conditions that are superficial in nature, such as fine lines and wrinkles, blotchiness (dark and light patches), keratoses, scaling, and mild acne scarring. The skin in these conditions is resurfaced or rejuvenated by the vaporizing action of the laser.
As administered by Dr. Rheingold, the procedure is quick, bloodless, and does not require general anesthesia. The healing process takes place over 2 to 4 weeks, leaving a pink, smoother, new skin appearance. Because the Ultra Pulse laser in Cape Cod is so precise, the risk of scarring or other complications (such as infection) is minimized.
Ultra Pulse CO2 Laser Therapy
Ultra Pulse CO2 laser treatment in Cape Cod is a new technology in laser skin resurfacing. It is useful for improving fine lines and/or wrinkles, sun-damaged skin, and brownish pigmentation changes. It was created to provide the benefits of laser skin resurfacing without the side effects and prolonged recovery times of more invasive laser therapy or deep chemical peels.
Ablative techniques—such as some full-force laser skin resurfacing or the deep TCA or phenol peels—produce dramatic results, but entail significant side effects, prolonged healing, and recovery times. Non-ablative techniques, such as the Cool Touch laser, carry fewer risks, but require many treatments over several months with the final results appearing slowly over time. The Ultra Pulse CO2 laser combines the advantages of an ablative procedure with the low risks and minimal downtime of a non-ablative procedure.
How Ultra Pulse Lasers Work
The Ultra Pulse CO2 laser treatment in Cape Cod produces thousands of tiny microscopic laser spots in your skin (called microthermal zones), which remove old epidermal pigmented cells within the deep dermis. At the same time, the Ultra Pulse CO2 laser penetrates deep into the dermis to remodel collagen. The laser treatment leaves the adjacent surrounding skin unaffected and intact. This partial or “fractional” treatment process is analogous to changing the pixels of a digital camera picture. Each “pixel” in a Ultra Pulse CO2 laser treatment represents a treated area surrounded by areas of healthy, untreated skin. This fractionated technology results in more rapid healing than if the entire skin surface area were treated at one time. This treatment can be used on the face, neck, chest, and hands with effective results.
Each Ultra Pulse CO2 laser treatment session in Cape Cod targets 15–20% of the skin surface area, and the results are immediate and progressive. A typical laser treatment session begins about one hour before the procedure with the application of a strong topical anesthetic cream to the area of skin to be addressed. The area is then treated by Dr. Rheingold using the Ultra Pulse CO2 laser in Cape Cod, which takes about 45 minutes. Ice compresses may be used during the post-treatment phase. Most patients describe a tingling sensation for about an hour and then little if any discomfort afterward. The skin will have a pinkish color for 5 to 7 days, and there may be some minimal swelling of the treated areas. New epidermal skin develops within 24 hours. The process of skin healing involves mild bronzing of the skin and some exfoliation as well. Moisturizers and sunscreens are essential during this recovery phase. Patients may use make-up to camouflage the pinkish hue if necessary, and most can return to work the next day after treatment.
Results from Ultra Pulse CO2 Laser Treatments
When healing is complete, the skin will have a softer, smoother appearance, and many fine lines and brown spots will have disappeared. Optimal results are generally achieved by a series of 3 to 4 treatments spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart, but this can be adjusted somewhat with no detrimental effect to the final result. Results are usually visible in about 2 to 3 months.
Infection, scarring, and changes in skin pigmentation (either increased or decreased coloration) are possible with any laser treatment. The risks with Ultra Pulse CO2 laser treatment are minimal and may include swelling, scabbing, and blisters, but these are uncommon. The specific risks and suitability for any person who desires Ultra Pulse CO2 laser treatment is best determined at the time of initial consultation with Dr. Rheingold in Cape Cod.
