The Nordström Hospital
for Plastic Surgery
Wrinkle
and Scar Treatment with Ultra Pulse CO2
Laser Skin Resurfacing
History of the CO2 L aser
CO2
Laser has been used in dermatology for the treatment of acne scars
and skin cancer for many years. Laser skin resurfacing is a rapid
and precise procedure that removes surface imperfections and dramatically
reduces lines and wrinkles. The devices of the first generation
could cause scarring due to thermal damage of the underlying tissues.
This problem does not exist with Ultra Pulse Laser as its light
penetrates to a controlled depth, making the procedure safe and
predictable, reducing the risk of scarring.
Wrinkle Treatment
Wrinkles and acne scars have been treated
for decades with mechanical peel or dermabrasion. Dermabrasion can't
be performed too deeply and can't be used on the eyelids or around
the eyes. This sufficiently limits the treatment possibilities as
most wrinkles tend to appear around the eyes. Mechanical dermabrasion
does not tighten the skin the same way as laser skin resurfacing.
Chemical peel uses various agents, e.g.,
phenol, to remove wrinkles and smooth irregularities. Phenol is
generally the strongest peeling agent and can be toxic to the heart,
liver, and kidneys. Once phenol is applied to the skin, the depth
of its exfoliation can't be adjusted which may cause serious complications
such as hypertrophic scarring and skin loss. Phenol peeling can
also result in uneven skin pigmentation.
What Is the Difference Between
CO2 Laser and Ultra
Pulse CO2 Laser?
Lasers of the first generation developed
for wrinkle treatment allowed resurfacing of just small areas
of skin that made the treatment slow and unpredictable. With
Ultra Pulse Laser larger skin areas can be treated in one
procedure.
Laser energy is delivered in short
pulses which vaporizes only the top skin layers eliminating
underlying thermal damage. The controlled wavelength of the
Ultra Pulse Laser does not penetrate the skin too deeply.
The Computerized Pattern Generator of the Ultra Pulse Laser
is so precise that the normal surrounding tissue is not effected.
Ultra Pulse Laser safely and effectively
removes wrinkles and acne scars. The effect is visible immediately
after the treatment and the skin heals completely within a
few months.
Facial skin can be tightened through
this procedure and in some cases laser resurfacing can replace
a surgical facelift or an eyelid operation. Unlike traditional
surgery, laser skin resurfacing is a bloodless procedure that
reduces wrinkles without scalpels or stitches leaving no scars.
It effectively removes acne scars, wrinkles, blotchiness or
age spots, tightens the skin and stimulates the growth of
new collagen.
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What areas can be treated
with laser?
Laser can be used on the entire face or specific
areas, e.g., around the eyes, on the vertical wrinkles around the
mouth, or in the forehead area.
How will I look after the
treatment?
Immediately after the procedure the skin
is red and swollen. All the important information on postoperative
treatment you receive during the consultation at our hospital.
Possible Complications
Some pigmentary changes may follow laser
skin resurfacing. Pigmentation disturbance can be of two kinds:
hypopigmentation or skin whitening or hyperpigmentation or skin
darkening. Pigmentary changes can be sufficiently improved by the
application of a solution you receive at our hospital.
The risk of pigmentation problems is much
less following laser skin resurfacing than after chemical peel with
phenol or trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Pigmentation problems are
rare in Finnish patients as they have a fair skin. The probability
of pigmentary changes is sufficiently higher with darker skin tones.
Pigmentation disturbance can be treated by the application of a
solution you receive at our hospital for the aftercare.
Skin redness following laser resurfacing
is a normal sign of a good blood circulation, skin healing and new
collagen growth. Redness can be easily covered with cosmetics until
it completely disappears 1-3 months following the treatment.
Inflammation is very rare and generally,
recovery time with laser skin resurfacing is rapid and gentle.
Contact me
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