Fractional CO2 Laser therapy is used in anti-aging and wrinkle treatment, in the treatment of acne and scar marks, in the treatment of stains, in body cracks, in the elimination of pits in the skin, in healing and treatment by point shooting. CO2 lasers are currently accepted as the most deeply effective scar and wrinkle treatment method among non-surgical methods all over the world. In addition to deep applications, it is also used to eliminate superficial defects. In fractional technology, the laser beam is structured in such a way that many micron-sized beams can affect the skin deeply, rather than a single wide beam of light. The distance and depth of impact between these beam points can be adjusted according to the needs of the person. The presence of intact skin areas between the points accelerates healing and prevents the occurrence of undesirable effects. The frequency, depth, and duration of the spots on the skin are adjusted differently for each person, depending on the condition of the person’s skin, that is, according to the purpose of the application (acne, wrinkles, sagging on the face and neck skin, spots, scars). When the harmful effects of sun damage and physical factors are added to the normal aging process, collagen destruction accelerates. As the amount of collagen in the skin decreases, wrinkles begin to appear. The target of laser beams is primarily the water in the tissue. Water-containing structures such as collagen, blood vessels, and keratinocytes undergo selective thermal damage. Living cells in the undamaged areas right next to the thermally damaged area migrate to the damaged area and stimulate the repair mechanism there. Thus, new collagen production begins under the skin. The biggest feature of the new generation fractional CO2 lasers is without damaging the upper surface of the skin.
perform their functions under the skin. Thus, a much faster recovery occurs on the upper surface of the skin and people can return to their social lives in a short time. The thickness of the skin treated during fractional laser applications is not known based on eye judgment or experience, as in chemical peeling or dermabrasion, but the depth reached is known for certain. Although it is strong, thanks to its fractional feature, the recovery rate after application is very high and the recovery time is short. Since the wavelength is longer and it shows its effect in the deeper dermis, its effect is much higher than similar systems.
In Which Areas Is Fractional CO2 Laser Used?
1- Removal of fine and deep wrinkles, skin rejuvenation, facial rejuvenation: It is used for removing wrinkles and lines on the face, eyelids, neck, décolleté, on the hand, and genital area aesthetics.
2- Removal of large pores and coarse appearance of the skin
3- Removal of sunspots, age spots, postpartum puerperium spots and superficial discolorations on the skin
4- Removal of acne scars and spots (acne scar)
5- Treatment of congenital or acquired moles
6- Treatment of cholesterol plaques (xanthelasma) formed on the eyelids
7- Treatment of masses formed in places such as hands, feet, genital area (verruca-wart, condyloma…)
8- In cases of excessive wound healing (reduction of hypertrophic scars and keloids)
9- Treatment of pre-cancerous skin lesions
10- Treatment of skin cancers
11- Treatment of massive skin lesions on the skin (dermal nevus – flesh mole, senile keratosis – senile mole, papilloma- teal moles, nevus sebaceous, milium, syringoma, dermatofibroma, chondrodermatitis, epidermal nevus, cyst, neurofibroma, trichoepithelioma …)
12- Treatment of mass lesions in the hair, eyebrows and bearded area
13- Pyogenic granuloma treatment
14- Rhinophyma and otophyma treatment
15-Body cracks
16-Wound and burn scars
What are the changes in the skin as a result of Fractional CO2 Laser?
After fractional CO2 laser application, 25-30% shortening occurs in subcutaneous collagen fibers. In the next 1-3 months, new collagen formation under the skin and reorganization of the subcutaneous connective tissue occur. As a result of all these, there is a high level of reduction in stretching, skin roughness, spots and scars on the skin, which is called skin rejuvenation. The pores in the skin narrow and the structure of the skin returns to its condition 2 – 5 years ago.
Is Fractional CO2 Laser Application Painful?
There is a burning and painful sensation during the application. This feeling can be reduced by using local anesthetic creams.
How Many Times Is Fractional CO2 Laser Application Performed?
The number of sessions in the fractional CO2 laser system varies depending on the severity of the problem and the power and depth settings of the application. While 2-3 sessions are sufficient for mild to moderate wrinkles and scars, treatment is arranged as 4-6 sessions for very deep acne scars and wrinkles. The interval of the sessions is 1 – 1.5 months.
What are the Characteristics of the Healing Process?
No dressing is required after fractional CO2 laser application. On the first day, redness and edema occur on the skin. Afterwards, there is no complaint other than point crusting, which lasts for 3-7 days. The patient can apply make-up from the 3rd day. This advantage of the CO2 fractional laser allows the patient to continue his daily life.
What Should Be Considered Before Application?
The patient should stay away from the sun and solarium for 1 month before the application. Drugs that prevent blood clotting (aspirin, heparin), drugs containing retinoids (isotretinoin), drugs that cause photosensitivity (tetracycline, naproxen, estrogen, progesterone, birth control pills, chloroquine) should not be taken. Before the application, if treatments such as skin abrasive dermabrasion and peeling or skin stretching have been applied, the treating doctor must be told. If the patient has a history of herpes (herpes) in the past, he should definitely take medication before the application.
What Should Be Considered After the Application?
Warm shower can be taken 2 days after the application. Cold compresses can be applied to reduce edema and inflammation. The skin should be kept moist and clean in order to reduce the crusting that may occur on the skin after the application. In the first week, this moisturizing process should be repeated 3-4 times a day. Depending on the patient’s skin type and environmental conditions, sunscreens should be used after recovery, and skin peeling creams should not be used for at least 1 month.
Who is not treated?
• If the person has a history of using isotretinoin in the last 3 months, this treatment is not applied.
• Not applicable to pregnant women.
• Not applicable to those with active skin infections and acne.
