Tucson Dermatologists

Down Time of CO2 Fractional Laser Acne Scar Treatment ?

i want to know the down time of CO2 fractional laser treatment.. how many days it takes to appear our skin normal without redness and other effects..

The treatment itself takes about two hours; one hour for the topically applied anesthetics to work, and the second hour to treat, and cool the skin after treatment with ice, making sure that the patient is feeling fine before leaving.  The hot, burning sensation lasts about 2-3 hours then disappears.  Depending on the strength of the treatment, there is usually redness, swelling, and perhaps some bruising.  The swelling worsens for a few days, and is most noticable in the mornings.  The skin normally peels dramatically on or about post-op day 5.  For a good, strong treatment, we advise taking a week off, if you are working with the public.  That being said, many patients return to work on post-op day 4, recognizing that they will look like they are recovering for a bad sunburn, with redness and peeling expected.  If the treatment uses gentle settings, such as in younger patients or for just skin color improvement, then the down time will just be a few days.

Robert J. Segal, MD

Tucson Dermatologist

Not Much Pain After Co2 Laser Treatment - Normal?

I had a Co2 Laser treatment this morning and maybe about 2-3 hours after the treatment all the pain and burning feelings had gone even though I didn't take any ibuprofen that my doctor prescribed(just took the aciclovir and applied the repair cream) and even the redness have reduced dramatically. Is it normal? Is it normal for the dots to be visible?

Yes, it is very normal for the pain to dramatically subside 2-3 hours after a fractional CO2 laser treatment.  Our office advises that the skin be kept moist with a product such as Biafine, or Aquaphor healing ointment, applied frequently for at least a week.  The dots are microscopically tiny, with most laser platforms, spaced about 350 thousands of an inch apart, or less, and visible with the naked eye if you look closely.  We love the CO2 laser, and the results we have seen with it are astonishing.

Robert J. Segal, MD

Tucson Dermatologist

Microdermabrasion After Accutane?

Hi, I just recently finished my accutane 5 month period. I was taking 50mg for the final 3 months and 40 for the first two. my question is when can i have micro done so i can get rid of these ugly scars on my face. i heard i can get it done soon, if i get it done gently. Any thoughts? your help would be greatly appreciated. thank you :)

We have found that the skin is quite sensitive to injury for patients while they are on accutane and for several months afterwards.  After 6 months we will do gentle laser treatments, but prefer to wait 12 months for stronger treatments such as fractional CO2 laser.  The gentle laser treatments for acne scarring include cooltouch laser, smoothbeam laser and affirm multiplex laser.  Fraxel 1500 (re:store) is fairly strong so waiting a year after your last pill would be better before having a Fraxel treatment.  Microdermabrasion is wonderful, but it cannot change the appearance of a structural acne scar.

Robert J. Segal, MD

Tucson Dermatologist