Why the CO2 Laser Still Reigns In-Office

When it comes to worthwhile in-office treatments, there are dozens of options. But one stands out as a long-time favorite of aesthetic surgeons. The original CO2 laser and every succeeding variation on the technology is the go-to aesthetic laser for experts like Denver, CO plastic surgeon Philippe A. Capraro, MD. Capable of erasing mild to moderate wrinkles, Dr. Capraro uses the original CO2 laser as well as the fractionated version, the Tetra CO2 DOT laser, to address aging concerns, build collagen and resurface skin.

The Original CO2 Laser: A Game-Changer for Skin Rejuvenation

“The CO2 laser, or carbon dioxide laser, was one of the first to come out,” says Dr. Capraro. “And as an ablative laser, it removes 100 percent of the top layer of skin, treating wrinkles, improving skin quality and reducing hyperpigmentation.

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An immediate success, practitioners noted incredible results in the right candidates, particularly when treating the face.

“The skin on your face has a high quantity of pilosebaceous units, which protect the skin from environmental aggressors and allow for quick healing of the skin,” Dr. Capraro says. “Other areas of the body don’t have that same level of protection, and as a result the skin may never heal fully or form scarring.”

The other issue with CO2 ablative lasers is who makes a good candidate, as the resulting skin lightening makes it a poor choice for anyone with dark or deep skin tones.

“In the right candidate, the CO2 laser provides an incredible result,” Dr. Capraro explains. “But to treat the rest of the body and a greater variety of skin tones, fractionated lasers were developed.”

Fractionated Lasers: Precision for Faster Healing

“The fractionated laser we use only recently came out,” Dr. Capraro says. “The Tetra DOT CO2 Fractionated Laser uses only a fraction of the actual CO2 laser, leaving dots of un-treated skin in-between.”

The bridge of untreated skin allowed for a faster healing, opening up more of the body to be treated. That includes the neck, décolletage and hands.

“The reduced redness time makes the fractionated laser a great option for those patients that don’t have a lot of downtime,” Dr. Capraro notes. “While the results aren’t as impressive as a full-blown CO2 laser, they are still quality results that prompts collagen production.”

Which CO2 Laser Is Right for You?

According to Dr. Capraro, a fully ablative CO2 laser is what he recommends for patients who have deep wrinkles or a significant amount of environmental exposure. Serious discoloration, roughness, wrinkles and large pore size are all great reasons to choose an ablative CO2 laser.

“This is a one-time treatment,” he adds. “The redness can last upwards of three to four months, lessening in intensity overtime, but the results are spectacular. When a patient takes good care of their skin, these results can also last upwards of a decade.”

But not everyone has months of downtime.

“The fractionated laser is the perfect option for anyone who wants results but doesn’t have the downtime,” Dr. Capraro says. “You can also perform it on almost anyone because you can control the intensity of the laser and how much skin is left untreated. That means you can treat any one from 20 to 70 or 80 with this one tool.”

CoolPeel: The Low-Downtime Alternative

“Our Tetra Fractional Laser has a CoolPeel setting,” Dr. Capraro explains. “It’s a very low wattage that still stimulates collagen in just a 5–15-minute treatment.”

With only a day or two of redness, the CoolPeel is a great option for patients who can maintain treatments every three months or so.

“This is kind of the third level of treatment,” Dr. Capraro says. “The fully ablative laser gives you the best results, the fractionated laser gives you shorter recovery time with still significant improvement, and the CoolPeel gives you that glowy, good quality skin with just a few days of downtime.”