The MiXto SX is a fractional CO2 resurfacing laser that can produce dramatic results on wrinkles, brown spots, pores, scars, stretch marks, and sagging skin, without the risk of significant side effects.Â
Like a traditional CO2 laser, the MiXto works by ablating (vaporizing) the top layer of skin. However, because itâs a fractional laser, it delivers thousands of tiny beams to just a fraction of the skin at a time. The upshot: whereas traditional CO2 treatments could require weeks of healing or months of social downtime, depending on the depth and intensity of the treatmentâmild, moderate, or aggressive, depending on the desired outcomeâhealing and social downtime can be reduced with a MiXto laser treatment.
Dr. Babak Farzaneh, a physician in Chino Hills, California, says âThe settings can be adjusted for a mild âbuff and shineâ treatment or deeper, for significant wrinkle reduction, so downtime and healing can range [anywhere] from three to five days to three to four weeks.â To avoid surprises, discuss your desired level of treatment and acceptable length of downtime with your provider prior to your treatment.Â
Be aware too, that while you may notice some immediate improvement in skin tightening from the heat of the laser, âthe real actionâthe stimulation of fibroblasts to produce new collagen [to improve skin elasticity]âtakes 6â12 weeks,â says Nashville ophthalmologist Dr. Melissa Toyos.
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Your price will depend on the size of the treatment area, the type of anesthesia used, your doctorâs level of experience, and their practice location. Be sure to choose a qualified provider for your MiXto treatment, advises Dr. Toyos. âBecause this is such a powerful tool, with significant transformative potentialâas well as side effects, if not used properlyâwe believe that itâs important that a board-certified doctor perform the treatment.â
The MiXto laser photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.
MiXto laser treatment can take less than an hour, but if youâre having your full face treated, expect the procedure to run up to two hours.
Your doctor will start by numbing the treatment area using an anesthetic cream, anesthetic injections, or both. During the procedure, the doctor will guide the laser across the target areas. Youâll hear the laser buzzing, and you may feel a mild stinging, burning, or pinching sensation. After your doctor has treated all the target areas, your skin will be cleaned and bandaged. Youâll be able to go home right away.
MiXto laser treatment isnât a quick fix, and your skin will look worse before it looks better. Youâll notice an improvement in fine lines and skin texture right away, but the results will be masked by redness, swelling, and peeling. Your skin may feel tight, like you have a bad sunburn, and your doctor will likely instruct you to keep your skin lubricated with an ointment, to keep it from drying out and scabbing.
Itâs not unusual to experience significant swelling after MiXto laser treatment, especially under the eyes. Your doctor may prescribe a steroid to minimize swelling, and applying an ice pack can help as well.Â
The treated areas can take four or more weeks to heal, so plan accordingly if you have an important event coming up. Some doctors say that a bit of redness can continue to last for months.
Updated July 20, 2023