Microneedling vs CO2 laser?

I often combine Co2 with microneedling and prp to get the best outcomes. I suggest seeing a cosmetic dermatologist to get you on a long term plan with lasers, microneedling/prp, Cosmelan, peels, fillers, facials and skin care. Best, Dr. Emer.

However there is no single treatment that will correct all of your problems, you need to realize that you will need different treatments to treat different problems, for scars and improving the surface of your skin microneedling and CO2 are options, for hyperpigmentations, medical grade skin care creams is what you need, maybe followed by chemical peels and for volume increase you will need fillers,Finally, some patients may need surgery to correct some problems.A surgeon member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery should be able to advise you in your best available options

Without seeing your skin it is difficult to determine what procedure would work best for you.  Both microneedling and CO2 laser can improve texture, reduce pore size, minimize brown spots, improve scars and stimulate some collagen production, which tightens the skin.  Microneedling is safe to do on all skin types, whereas the CO2 has risks involved with darker skin types. In general, the CO2 is a one-time treatment with 5 to 7 days of social downtime.  People experience swelling, oozing, redness and peeling for about a week.  During that time, a thin layer of aquaphor (or a similar product) needs to be worn on the skin.  Makeup cannot be worn for about a week.   Microneedling is usually done in a series of 3 - 4 treatments.  While people are red for 3 to 5 days, makeup and sunscreen can be worn starting the next day.  Therefore, it is considered a no downtime procedure.  PRP (protein rich plasma) should be done with either the CO2 or the microneedling.  Multiple studies confirm that PRP enhances the results and speeds up the healing time.If you have significant volume loss in your cheeks, you may want to also consider fillers, such as Voluma.  Voluma is a thick filler that is excellent for restoring cheek volume.I recommend that you have a consultation with a physician who specializes in aesthetic medicine.

Unfortunately CO2 is not the be all to end all. It stimulates collagen, tightens skin but still lacks volume replacement, - a combination approach of CO2, and filler will give you the most PREDICTABLE results. Sure energy based microneedling and PRP can work, but premditablitiy and safety are the two most important factors to consider. More on the balance of texture, tone and volume on my web reference. Dr Davin Lim. Brisbane. Australia. 

Hi LisaBlu,I'm not sure how much volume loss we are talking about but if we are concerned about substantial volume, microneedling or lasers are not the best solutions. Although both are collagen inducers, the volume won't be much - it is more like thickening of the skin so that it is more supple and elastic. For volume, your doctor may consider Voluma, Sculptra or fillers. Choosing between microneeding, lasers or peels depends on the condition of the skin, your own skin color and tendency to form keloids. These therapies are effective but it won't be a one-time treatment for really appreciable results.All the best, Justin Harper, M.D.

Hi, here is a 2-parts answer to your question. First, cheek volume loss. That would be best addressed with possible fillers, a vampire facelift, or a fat transfer procedure. Prices are different based on your location and the treatment that you pick.Second, skin tone, scars, dark spots, small wrinkles. This can be addressed with either a CO2 laser or microneedling. CO2 takes a longer time to recover, but most people only need one treatment (unless scars are too deep), it also does not always work on darker skin. New CO2 laser treatments such as CoolPeel offer the same results but with shorter recoveries. Microneedling with PRP is great for any skin type, you can go back to your daily tasks without taking time off. You will need 3-4 treatments to get similar results to CO2.