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RE: Best CO2 laser resurfacing

By mo_westfall on 07 Nov 2008

Is there a difference between the UltraPulse CO2 laser and Fraxel or Pixel lasers? I'm confused by all the different names and think the doctor will try to sell me on whatever machine he has- without it necessarily being the best for me. How can I know I'm doing the best treatment?

View 7 doctor answers to Best CO2 Laser Resurfacing

Comments (20)

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Nayyar Mallick 4 Dec 2008
It doesn't give me the comparison of the effecacy/ and the end results of the ablative and none ablative treatment results. which treatment is better Fraxel repair or fraxel restore or pixel or CO2?
jackie22 6 Dec 2008
they say Fraxel repair not the restore.
Lee09 11 Jan 2009
I've had 4 Fraxel treatments (now called Fraxel Restore) and have to say that I honesty see no change due to the treatment - at a cost of almost $5000! I was told I would see no results unless I had the multiple treatments, which I did over the course of 2 years. I feel I was sold a bill of goods. Buyer beware! If you do decide to do the Restore, make sure they leave the numbing cream on your face for at least an hour. At first they left it only 45 minutes nd I found the procedure to be very uncomfortable (I do have sensitive skin). The next vist they were running long with a client ahead of me, and by accident we discovered when the cream was left on an extra 15-20 minutes it made a huge difference in the tolerability of the laser which feels like a bad sunburn.
mo_westfall 12 Jan 2009
Thanks for your comments, Lee. It really helps me to hear others experiences. I am still on the fence if I want to have the laser treatments or not. It's a lot of money for no guaranteed results.
1596anon 19 Sep 2010
Hi! Please don't waste your money on fraxel laser treatments. If you're considering laser resurfacing, take the time to research a good doctor and go with a better laser, like a CO2 or the Pearl. You will need to take a week off to recover from this, but it is worth it, for the better results. Hope this helps
Tiffiany 9 Dec 2008
What is the difference between the fractional co2 and the pixel laser and the Dot laser?
VickyMac 11 Dec 2008
What is Titan? Is it in one of three categories of lasers?
purdyme (unregistered guest) 10 Feb 2009
I had the CO2 several years ago. It is the best thing I have ever done for myself in my life time. My face swelled up like a pig, and I was very red for a week, as well as staying in for about 2 weeks...but, it took 15 years off my face and ALL my lines were gone! My skin also tightened as if I had a face lift. Save your money and time towards the real deal... the CO2! There are NO regrets and I am very hard to please :)
purdyme2 24 Feb 2009
I am just on the crest of having CO2 laser surgery. Did you use the Ultrapulse 5000? Will you tell me the name of your doctor? I will travel anywhere for those kinds of results as I know it all lies with the practitioner... Thank you so much for caring to share
mar2 2 Mar 2009
Hi, purdyme, what state do you live in? I really want to have the CO2 laser done, i'm from California, and you would think there would be a million doctors out here specializing in that particular laser but I can't seem to locate one that specializes in the C02 laser.
AJ 4 Mar 2009
Hi My doctor in Naples Florida does the CO2 and was one of the first doctors to patten his. I highly recommend him.
artgirl 8 Dec 2009
How was the pain during your procedure? I am scheduled to have it done in 10 days! After reading horror stories on this site, I am having second thoughts.
clive wilkson 5 Mar 2009
anyone tried smartxide laser?
AuntFanny 9 Jun 2009
Had it 13 days ago and like the results. My skin definitely looks younger and feels soft and smooth. It's best for getting rid of brown spots, large pores, a wrinkles from sun damage. It does NOT get rid of deep wrinkles although it minimizes them. I REALLY swelled up for a few days, but it went down and a little over a week later, the only "side effect" I have is a break out from all the goop I had to put on my face right after to aid in healing.
AuntFanny 9 Jun 2009
Had it 13 days ago and like the results. My skin definitely looks younger and feels soft and smooth. It's best for getting rid of brown spots, large pores, a wrinkles from sun damage. It does NOT get rid of deep wrinkles although it minimizes them. I REALLY swelled up for a few days, but it went down and a little over a week later, the only "side effect" I have is a break out from all the goop I had to put on my face right after to aid in healing. By the way, if you have it, put some pain killer cream on BEFORE even going to the office. They put a lot on me about 1/2 hour or so before the procedure, but I have to say my face still felt the sting of the procedure. (I went home with a 1/2 tube left over, which I wish I had used before the treatment. It was VERY uncomfortable, although definitely bearable. The worst part for me was the smell, which smells like burning hair. Other than that, not a bad procedure.
girlygirlgirly 25 Jul 2009
I had it done almost 6 months ago. It didnt really hurt but cost me 1500.00. For the first 2 weeks I thought it was going to be great because my face was a little swollen and looked like wrinkles had diminished. As soon as the swelling went down had could see it hadnt helped any at all and there is still no change.
5734anon 2 Sep 2010
I had co2 done 16 days ago. Swelling is down, am still very red. Wrinkles are still here. I'm 55. When did you start seeing results?
1596anon 19 Sep 2010
Hi! Hope your feeling better. No worries about the redness. It will subside. Do you know which CO2 laser was used on you? I know, for sure, there are a couple. The old technology (traditional CO2) has been around for many years, giving patients very obvious results, however, there are risks and complications that go along with the use of this laser. Alot of doctors are now using less invasive CO2 lasers, that require less recovery time and lower risk of pigmentation changes. Alot of doctors won't even use this "older technology" CO2 laser, anymore. Having had the newer CO2 laser done to my face this year, I feel that the results were not as dramatic as I had expected. I was basing my expectations on the historical results of the older, traditional CO2 laser. Try to look at overall improvement from what your skin looked like before. If you do this, it will lessen your concerns. Talk to your doctor and see what your options are, if you're still not happy in 6 months. A good doctor will want to make sure you're happy. Hope this helps.....
mm in Houston 16 May 2011
I have the fractional CO2 laser treatment scheduled in 3 weeks, but in reading some of the comments, am concerned about how I will look when I plan to return to work 2 weeks afterwards - are there pictures of the progression from day one to day 14?
Kywise 26 Mar 2012
You will be fine in 2 weeks. I had the mixto fractional procedure on friday. My bronzing period has passed and have total confidence that I will be socializing by the weekend.

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