If you’ve thought about getting laser treatment to reverse aging or sun damage to your skin, there are a lot of laser treatments to choose from out there. Chances are you’ve come across both IPL and CO2 laser treatments in your search for information. Deciding on the right treatment can be a little overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be difficult. If you’re torn between CO2 and IPL or want to learn more, Derma-Tech Medical Spa has the answers you’ve been looking for.
How Do Laser Treatments Work?
First off, let’s start with how laser treatments work. Lasers bathe the skin in energy, and the kind of energy depends on the skin type and goals of the patient. The energy stimulates different areas of the epidermis (and in some cases, the dermis) to spark a reaction, such as stimulating collagen, heating water molecules to tighten skin, or removing damage and triggering a healing response. By doing so, the skin is able to heal and remodel itself over time and reverse the signs of aging, skin damage, scars, and minor discoloration. There are several different kinds out there – CO2 and IPL treatments are among the most popular and they work differently.
IPL Treatments
At Derma-Tech, we recommend an M22 IPL treatment. The Lumenis M22 IPL Laser is a non-ablative fractional laser and an Nd:YAG laser. This powerful combination is a great way to reverse sun damage, lighten age spots and facial redness, and even minimize conditions like rosacea. It works by delivering pulses of light energy to target different pigments within your skin. Healthy tissues are unharmed, but pigmentation spots such as sun damage, age spots, rosacea, scars, and even spider veins absorb this light energy. The absorption disrupts those pigments, which begin to break down, signaling to the body to filter them away as part of the natural process of removing cellular waste.
This is an extremely tolerable treatment, as most patients report the sensation of warming against their skin rather than the pinch of some more invasive laser treatments. Because IPL is non-ablative, the layers of skin remain intact, so there is no flaking or peeling involved. The discoloration being broken up by the laser energy happens deeper and microscopically, so there’s very little downtime. Patients are able to immediately reapply makeup and resume their busy day following IPL treatment. 3-6 treatments may be necessary to fully achieve patient goals.
CO2 Laser Treatments
The major difference between IPL treatments Fractional and CO2 Laser Resurfacing is ablation. CO2 are deep, ablative treatments for more intense cellular turnover. Because it’s such a concentrated treatment, CO2 laser treatments at Derma-Tech are always administered by Dr. Boice. CO2 lasers remove columns of skin in a precise matrix to a depth that is most beneficial to the healing process. By removing skin in this manner, healthy skin tissues are left intact beside the columns to bridge the gaps and aid in healing. Because it’s less aimed at pigmentation, CO2 fractional laser resurfacing can improve more skin concerns, like fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone and texture, skin laxity, dullness, and weakened collagen.
CO2 laser resurfacing is the single-most effective laser treatment to repair skin in one procedure, including advanced skin damage and aging. It’s like having multiple non-invasive procedures performed at once. Because it is intense, there is a 7-14 day recovery period, during which time your skin undergoes an intensive flaking and peeling period while healing occurs. A variety of anesthetic options are available for patient comfort.
What’s Right For Me?
Overall, CO2 is the more thorough of the treatments, but each treatment has its advantages and disadvantages. Everyone’s skin is different. At Derma-Tech Medical Spa, we believe your treatment should suit your unique needs. If you’re curious to see if IPL or CO2 is right for you, we’re here to help.
During your initial consultation, our staff can help you come up with a plan to give you the best skin possible. After all, you deserve to feel comfortable in your own skin.
Take The Next Step
Ready to learn more about laser treatments? Schedule your in-person consultation at Derma-Tech Medical Spa in Joplin, Missouri today. You can fill out the contact form on this page or give us a call at (417) 206-4884. Serving the greater Southwest Missouri area.
*Individual Results May Vary.
