Want to reverse common signs of aging such as fine lines, sagging skin, or uneven texture? Non-surgical skin tightening treatments, such as a fractional CO2 laser, are a great way to rejuvenate the face.
CO2 lasers can address skin concerns without the cost, commitment, or downtime associated with surgical skin tightening procedures such as traditional facelifts. But how exactly does the process work?
At Eyelid Pros, our board-certified surgeons offer both surgical and non-surgical options for professional skin tightening in Troy, MI, and the surrounding areas. Contact us today to see if you’re the right fit for a CO2 laser treatment.
What is a Fractional CO2 Laser Skin Tightening Treatment?
Fractional CO2 laser treatments are a non-surgical skin tightening treatment that create dramatic, surgeon-supervised results. The laser is composed of carbon dioxide, helium, nitrogen, and hydrogen. It works by delivering a highly-controlled beam of pulsed light to the skin.
The light is set at a specific wavelength of 10,600 nanometers, which allows it to be absorbed by the water in skin cells. This causes the outer layers of the skin to be vaporized instantaneously in a process known as ablation.
The fractional technique used with a CO2 laser skin tightening treatment can remove old tissue with extreme precision. Rather than a full ablative treatment that removes the entire skin surface, the fractional handpiece creates thousands of microscopic treatment columns or zones.
The heat from the laser travels through the epidermis and dermis, creating controlled thermal injuries within each column.
The body interprets this injury as trauma, which triggers a healing response in the form of collagen and elastin production.
Islands of healthy, untouched skin are left between each column, so the healthy tissue can act as a reservoir of cells for the skin tightening treatment. In fact, leaving healthy tissue around the treated areas is key for accelerating the healing process and stimulating collagen regeneration.
Over the following weeks, the regeneration of collagen creates a noticeable tightening, plumping, and smoothing of the skin.
How Do Fractional CO2 Lasers Provide a Superior Skin Tightening Treatment?
Fractional CO2 lasers provide tangible results and benefits. Three main advantages of this face skin tightening procedure are:
- Targets Wrinkles & Texture: Effectively addresses deep-set wrinkles and static lines. Great for severe lines around the mouth, chin, and forehead. Also targets sun damage, sun spots, mild scarring, and hyperpigmentation to even out skin tone and texture.
- Produces Genuine Skin Tightening: The initial pulse of laser energy causes an immediate, visible contraction of the existing collagen fibers as they react to the heat. As collagen production continues after the treatment, it leads to more genuine, long-term skin tightening.
- Treats Other Areas: Fractional CO2 lasers are an effective skin tightening treatment for areas besides the face, including the neck and chest. These areas often experience sagging, deep wrinkling, and sun damage, and can respond positively to laser treatment.
What to Expect After Your CO2 Laser Skin Tightening Treatment?
Fractional CO2 lasers are a popular skin tightening treatment because the downtime is significantly less compared to a surgery. Usually, there is around three to seven days of redness, swelling, and a mild burning or itching sensation that is similar to a sunburn. Surgery, on the other hand, comes with weeks of recovery.
A skin tightening treatment with CO2 lasers also produces long-lasting results. The newly-generated collagen from the treatment endures for several years.
You can choose to receive annual touch-ups, if desired. These touch-ups are less frequent and less expensive compared to repeated surgical procedures.
Contact Us to See If You’re a Candidate for the CO2 Skin Tightening Treatment
Before getting any skin tightening treatment, it’s important to make sure you’re the right fit for the procedure. If you’re looking for your options near Troy, MI, consider visiting our team at Eyelid Pros.
Our doctors provide surgical and non-surgical skin tightening treatments. We’re experts in the field of oculoplastics, and offer a variety of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, such as:
- Eyelid blepharoplasty
- Forehead and brow lifts
- Skin tightening with Fractional CO2 laser
- Botox and filler
- Blocked tear duct procedures
Our physicians are board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and have years of experience.
Want to learn more about our skin tightening treatments? Contact us online or call (248) 796-7277 today for an appointment.
