1. History of Ultra – micro Fractional CO2 laser technology
Invasive skin peeling surgery using the traditional fully ablative CO2 or Er:YAG laser is one of the most popular skin recovery therapies that used to be popular in the eighties. The deep skin peeling effect was once applied to remove facial wrinkles or undesirable colors as well as to restore the elasticity of the skin. It has a great clinical effect but it is usually accompanied by severe side effects as well as infection, scars and hyper-pigmentation arising from the long recovery period. Consequently, it has been known to be inappropriate to performed, especially on the Asian skins.
In 2004, FDA approved a new laser technology for treating aging and sun damaged skin calls the Fraxel laser, manufactured by Reliant (Palo Alto, Calif, USA). Using fractional technology has revolutionized the ways in which doctors treat cosmetic skin conditions. The first Fraxel laser has a wavelength of 1550nm (Erbium Glass) that produces thousands of tiny columns of treated skin. This fractionated method leaves plenty of healthy cells around the treated columns, where stem cells and other inflammatory cells are recruited to heal the treated skin.
The PerfectSkin Clinic, now Stamford Skin Centre, was the first to apply this technology in Vietnam in 2006.
The latest laser that is taking the cosmetic dermatology word by storm is the Ultra – micro Fractional CO2 laser. It is a combination of the effective fractional technology and the fully ablative CO2 laser. It fully ablates the skin in a fractionated manner. The Ultra – micro Fractional CO2 technology offers advantages in greatly reducing the period of skin recovery and restoration by minimizing the laser heat loss which is achieved by leaving a sufficient amount of skin tissue between each laser beam and partitioning the laser beam into units. Within 3 to 5 days after the surgery, the outer skin will peel off and flushed skin will not last for more than one week.
For Acne scars, the Ultra – micro Fractional CO2 will dig much deeper than the older non-ablative fractional lasers and will stimulate more collagen remodeling to achieve a much faster renewal of skin. Hence, your skin will look flatter and scars will be removed.
For Aging skin, the fully ablative nature of the CO2 laser will remove the excess skin that you accumulate over the years and simply tighten it to achieve a tight and fresh look. It will take ten years off your face.
Stamford Skin Centre is again the first clinic to apply the Ultra – micro Fractional CO2 laser technology in Vietnam.
Before and later of treatment
2. How The Ultra – micro Fractional CO2 laser work
The Ultra – micro Fractional CO2 laser is the most advanced conceptual fractional CO2 skin peeling laser system with a wavelength of 10600nm. In addition to its fine skin-peeling effect, it can effectively penetrate the laser beam into the corium. It is the most beneficial skin recovery system and can achieve the long-term effect of collagen remodeling as well as improvement of aged skin conditions due to exposure to light. It can be very safely applied to various types of scars compared to the existing 100% total layer skin peeling lasers (CO2 or Er:YAG). In addition, it does not require a long period of recovery or side effects. It can remodel various types of deformed scars and skin tissue very effectively.
Through effective combination work from the most representative non-skin peeling fractional laser therapy which has gained popularity in advanced countries, it allows you to achieve a total improvement effect for various severe types of skin diseases. It can successfully transform your skin into the skin of a baby, which is exceedingly clear and pure.
3. Advantages of The Ultra – micro Fractional CO2 laser
Fractional technology offers advantages in greatly reducing the period of skin recovery and restoration by minimizing the laser heat loss which is achieved by leaving a sufficient amount of skin tissue between each laser beam and partitioning the laser beam into units.
In other words, Fractional CO2 laser, which applies a CO2 wavelength to the fine skin peeling fractional laser beam, maintains the dramatic effect of skin peeling offered by a CO2 laser and at the same time, it can form fine columns without increasing the side effects to the skin by combining it with fractional technology. As a result, it induces re-synthesis of collagen in the corium. You may expect improvements in pimple scars, enlarged skin pores, and aged skin.
4. Application
- Various scars: Pimple scars, severe burns, surgical scars.
- Dark spots, freckles, spotty skin
- Aged skin: Enlarged pores, dark and rough skin condition to be improved
- Wrinkles: Small wrinkles near eyes, mouth, wrinkles around the neck, thick and deep grooved wrinkles to be improved
- Improvement of flexibility of your skin
- Total skin recovery on your face and neck
5. Procedure
Fractional CO2 treatment can be performed right in your doctor’s office using only topical anesthesia in most cases. If you are having a significant area of your skin treated, your doctor will develop a pain management approach to maximize your comfort during the procedure.
The doctor will take a digital photograph of the skin of your face under normal lighting and under UV lighting. The UV light digital scanner will capture areas of skin damages and allow the doctor to see deep through the epidermis and into the dermis. This data will then be use to analyze the status of your skin and will form the basis for your treatments.
You will experience a mild sunburn sensation for about an hour and then virtually no discomfort. The skin will have a pinkish tone for 1 to 2 days. This is a normal sign that the skin is deeply healing. Swelling is minimal and generally resolves in 2 to 3 days. It is advisable not to use any cosmetic after treatment. Light make-up only is allowed after the skin has peeled off.
New epidermal skin develops within 24 hours. This process of skin repair involves:
Completely avoid direct sunlight: Absolute sun avoidance is a must for 14 days immediately after treatment. Stay indoor, travel only in cars or taxis, always wear a wide-brimmed hat, and only go out at night.
Bronzing: Your skin will have a bronze appearance that lasts approximately 3 days, depending on your treatment level.
Flaking: Your skin will naturally and vigorously exfoliate as new skin replaces dead tissue. Flaking is similar to that of minor sunburn, but without the associated pain.
Sunscreen: Be sure to use sunscreen at least twice daily to protect your skin from sun exposure during both the healing phase and for several months after treatment. Apply a sun block with an SPF of at least 30-plus. For added protection, use wide-brimmed hats when in direct sunlight.
Over the following weeks and months, the body repairs the deeper dermal tissues that have been affected by the Fractional CO2 treatment, producing longer beneficial changes associated with a healthy, youthful appearance.
At your initial consultation, your physician will determine the best treatment plan for your desired results. Clinical studies suggest that on average, an effective treatment regimen is 1 to 2 sessions, spaced from 6 to 8 weeks apart. Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment spares healthy tissue; it is effective even on delicate skin areas, such as the neck, chest and hands.
6. Caution for the surgery
- Right after surgery, you should not apply anything on your face, except if needed, you can apply sunscreen.
- On the same day, you should leave your face dry and should not clean your face with water.
- On the second day after surgery, you should continue to keep your face dry and only moisten your face if your feel too dry. You can apply UV protection cream to your skin.
- Within three to seven days after surgery, the cuticle on the surface of your skin will emerge clearly. Leave it alone until it peels off naturally. Don’t try to take it off yourself.
- For a while after surgery, you should avoid heavy exercise, drinking, saunas or hot baths.
- For two weeks after surgery, you should not expose yourself to UV light. When you go out, you should apply UV protection cream to your face.