What is fractional CO2 laser?
“Fraction”refers to a working mode of the laser. Fractional CO2 laser is a CO2 laser emitted in a lattice pattern. For example, use a flashlight. Normally, it is a large light spot. In dot matrix mode, a gauze is covered in front. The pattern of the large light spot remains unchanged, but it is divided into small light spots (the real dot matrix is not the cutting of a large light beam). , which is made into a lattice when launched). Turn millimeter- and centimeter-level beams into micron-level micro-beams.
The fractional laser is equipped with a special image generator (CPG). The image generator changes the light emission mode. The fractional laser can emit 50μm-80μm focal spots through a high-focus mirror, and scan these focal spots into multiple There are up to 6 kinds of rectangular shapes (circle, square, rectangle, diamond, triangle, line), which are suitable for the treatment of different parts and different skin types.
Working Principle
Its principle of action is mainly “focal photothermolysis and stimulation effect”.
The factional co2 laser device emits super-pulse laser with a wavelength of 10600nm and finally outputs it in a lattice manner. After acting on the skin, multiple tiny thermal damage areas with three-dimensional cylindrical structures are formed. Each tiny damage area is surrounded by undamaged normal tissue, and its keratinocytes can crawl quickly, allowing it to heal quickly. It can rearrange the proliferation of collagen fibers and elastic fibers, restore the content of type I and III collagen fibers to normal proportions, change the pathological tissue structure, and gradually return to normal.
The main target tissue of fractional CO2 laser is water, and water is the main component of the skin. It can cause the dermal collagen fibers to shrink and denature when heated, and induces a wound healing reaction in the dermis. The produced collagen is deposited in an orderly manner and promotes collagen proliferation. , thereby improving skin elasticity and reducing scars.
Fractional CO2 laser can instantly heat the water in the tissue, and when it acts on the skin, it vaporizes the epidermis and dermis (scars) of different depths, causing vaporization pits in the skin. Due to its high peak energy, small heat-induced side damage zone, precise vaporization of tissue, and light damage to surrounding tissues, the laser wound can be healed in 4 to 7 days, and it is less likely to cause complications such as pigmentation or hypopigmentation. At the same time, there is a lot of pigment in the epidermis of our skin, which will fade as the epidermis is peeled off. This is also the principle of skin whitening after fractional laser treatment.
Scope of treatment
CO2 fractional laser scar treatment is a breakthrough in scar treatment, and its efficacy in non-surgical treatment is better than topical anti-scar drugs. Its main mechanisms include:
l damage and inhibit vascular tissue in scar tissue;
l vaporize and remove scar tissue;
l inhibit fibrous tissue formation and excessive proliferation;
l induce fibroblast apoptosis.
Follow-up reaction
After fractional CO2 laser treatment, the treated scan points will immediately turn white. This is a sign of epidermal moisture evaporation and damage.
After 5-10 seconds, the customer will experience tissue fluid leakage, slight edema and slight bulging of the treatment area.
In 10-20 seconds, blood vessels will expand, red and swollen in the skin treatment area, and you will feel continuous burning and heat pain. The customer’s strong heat pain will last for about 2 hours, and up to about 4 hours.
After 3-4 hours, the skin pigment becomes significantly more active, reddish brown, and tightness appears.
The skin will scab and gradually fall off within 7 days after treatment, and some scabs may last until 10-12 days; a thin layer of scab will form with a “gauze-like feel”. During the peeling process, the skin will be itchy, which is normal; The scabs fall off the fastest on the forehead and face, the sides of the nose are the fastest, the sides of the cheeks are close to the ears, and the mandibles are the slowest. The drier environment causes the scabs to fall off more slowly.
After the scab fell off, the new and intact epidermis was maintained. However, over a period of time, it is still accompanied by the proliferation and expansion of capillaries, showing an intolerable “pink” appearance; the skin is in a sensitive period and must be strictly repaired and protected from the sun within 2 months.
After the scabs are removed, the skin appears to be firm, plump, with fine pores, acne marks and acne scars become lighter, and the pigment fades evenly.
FQA
1.How long I can wash my face after the treatment of fractional CO2 laser skin resurfacing?
After fractional laser treatment, you should wait until the scabs fall off before washing your face. Generally, it should take about 3 to 5 days before washing your face. It is best to eat a light diet, eat less spicy food, and do not eat things that are too dark. Do not eat carrots, coriander, green vegetables, etc., which contain pigments.
2.What mask should I use after fractional laser?
It is recommended that patients apply a medical mask after fractional laser treatment. Medical masks contain ingredients that promote skin wound repair, and medical masks are sterile masks that will not cause skin infection and inflammation. They can also effectively replenish moisture to the skin and usually will not cause side effects. After fractional laser treatment, you can use the medical mask immediately, and the effect will be better if you use it continuously for one week.
3.Does fractional laser hurt?
There will be mild pain without applying anesthetic, which some people can tolerate. If you are afraid of pain, you can choose to apply anesthetic, which will greatly improve the comfort.
4.Can fractional laser shrink pores?
Fractional laser can remove acne scars and shrink pores. Fractional laser divides each pulse of laser into nearly a hundred micro-laser pulses. When these tiny laser beams act on the skin surface, they will stimulate the growth of collagen and elastic fibers in the dermal tissue of the skin, which can fade scars and eliminate acne. to achieve the effect of removing acne marks and shrinking pores.
5.Can I put on makeup after fractional laser?
After fractional laser treatment, local scabs will form. For most people, the scabs will completely fall off in about 10 to 15 days. Therefore, makeup can be applied in about 20 days without affecting the skin.
Conclusion
Let’ summarize the functions of fractional CO2 laser in the aspect of skin:
1.Anti-aging: skin lifting, wrinkle removal, skin resurfacing; photoaging skin improvement.
2. Acne: Acne vulgaris, enlarged pores, seborrheic dermatitis, etc.
3. Scars: Treatment of depressed and hypertrophic scars.
4. Problematic skin: repair of sensitive skin; treatment of hormone-dependent dermatitis.
5. Auxiliary enhancement product introduction: introduce certain specific skin efficacy products to increase the efficacy.
6. Treatment of various proliferative skin diseases: age spots, warts, tumors, etc.
7. Hair growth: assists in the treatment of male pattern baldness.
Another main function of fraction CO2 laser is vaginal tightening.If you want to know more it, welcome to follow our next article!
