Things to Know Before Your Laser Skin Resurfacing Treatment This Fall

People who want to look much younger and have smoother and healthier skin often opt for a fractional CO2 laser skin resurfacing treatment. According to Mayo Clinic, fractional CO2 lasers were created to reduce the risk of significant side effects, while also reducing the recovery time for people when compared to surgical procedures. A single treatment effectively reduces fine lines, improves pore size, reduces wrinkles and skin elasticity, eliminates pigmentation, and much more. And what makes each treatment so effective is it produces continuous collagen growth for up to six months after the procedure is performed, so your skin will constantly improve its appearance during that time. If you’ve been considering getting a fractional CO2 laser treatment, the fall is the perfect time to make an appointment. But before you do, we’ve provided some tips on what to do and what you should know before getting treated.

Choose A Qualified And Reputable Medical Professional

According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, you should never have a laser skin resurfacing treatment done by anyone other than a trained, skilled, knowledgeable, and certified medical professional. Most of the horror stories you hear about with these types of treatments going wrong have to do with unskilled and untrained professionals administering the treatment. The quality of the laser being used is also important. And when combined with a trained professional operating it, you can feel safe knowing your skin is in good hands. When your skin’s health and appearance are at risk, choosing a professional without a significant amount of experience can cause more harm than good.

The detailed and targeted nature of a fractional CO2 laser skin resurfacing treatment is why a trained professional must do the job. The professional will send a laser beam through the layers of the skin to create tiny columns like polka dot prints. Only the targeted areas are affected, and the surrounding skin remains intact and unaffected by the laser. The skin then naturally repairs those tiny columns by pushing out old skin and replacing it with new skin for a more youthful appearance. If you work with an unqualified or unskilled professional for your treatment, not only will the treatment likely be ineffective, but you could cause serious and permanent damage to your skin at the same time.

Preparing Your Skin Before The Treatment

When preparing your skin for a fractional CO2 laser treatment this fall, it’s important to follow a few recommendations to maximize the treatment’s effectiveness. Your medical professional will give you a comprehensive list of suggestions, but these are a few of the things to do for two to four weeks before your appointment:

• Avoid using any glycolic acid treatments

• Stop all waxing treatments and the use of any abrasive scrubs

• Avoid using anti-inflammatory medications such as Advil, Aspirin, or Aleve

• Limit sun exposure and avoid tanning beds

• Purchase a bleaching cream if your skin is prone to hyperpigmentation

Following these steps and the steps provided to you by your medical professional can make for a more successful and comfortable treatment. It’s also important to eat a couple of hours before your treatment and avoid consuming caffeinated products for at least four hours before getting treated.

Allow For Some Downtime

Most fractional CO2 laser skin resurfacing treatments take no more than 30 minutes to complete, but the length of time can vary among clients. A topical anesthetic is used to make the treatment comfortable, but some clients may experience minimal discomfort throughout the process. Afterward, you should plan on going home and relaxing as much as possible. Most medical professionals recommend taking at least one week off from work since you will likely experience some redness. It’s especially important to do so if the treatment is done on your face so you can treat it with ice packs as much as you need to.

Before making your fractional CO2 laser treatment appointment this fall, think about your schedule with the upcoming holidays and other gatherings you may attend. Allow for at least one week or more to recover from your treatment so you can feel comfortable and confident attending them. Most clients only experience minimal side effects, including redness, pigment changes, swelling, and discomfort. However, when you follow the post-care instructions provided by your medical professional, these side effects should be limited so you can have as little downtime as possible.

Prepare To Follow Post-Care Instructions Closely

The CO2 laser post treatment instructions provided by your medical professional should be followed closely to experience the best results possible. The list will be provided to you during your initial consultation, so you’ll know exactly how to prepare. The instructions will include when and how often to apply ice to the treated area, what types of medication to take, and in what situations you should contact your medical professional. If you’ll be spending any time in the sun, it’s important to cover the treated area and wear sunscreen since it can be sensitive for several weeks after the treatment. Drinking plenty of water can also help reduce swelling and replace any fluids lost through the skin during the natural healing process. The good news is the fall months bring cooler weather, so you’ll likely be spending more time indoors, making this a great time of year to get your fractional CO2 laser treatment.