Is CO2 / mini CO2 laser right for me? (Photo)

Question

I’m only 25 and unfortunately have had tons of sun damage in my childhood and teen years so my skin is very thin. A marionette line recently popped up and it’s been depressing me a ton. Wondering what laser would be best for this. I didn’t want to get rf microneedling because I’ve heard it can cause fat loss.

Jeff Rapaport, MD · Answer

Treatment options for marionette lines include:

1. **Dermal Fillers:** Injectable fillers like hyaluronic acid can help plump up the skin and reduce the appearance of marionette lines by filling in the wrinkles and adding volume.

2. **Botox:** Botulinum toxin injections can be used to relax the muscles around the mouth, which can soften the appearance of marionette lines.

3. **Laser Therapy:** Laser treatments can stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture, helping to reduce the depth of marionette lines.

4. **Microneedling:** This procedure involves using tiny needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating collagen production and improving skin texture. In expert hands, fat loss should not be an issue.

It's important to find an expert.

Jeff Rapaport MD FAAD 
Realself Hall of Fame 
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

Exercise a great deal of "buyer beware" caution when being hawked this or that, expensive, supposedly "next big thing" fraxel laser or RF gizmos, as the hard science to support their use lags woefully behind the heavy marketing hype and social media buzz that surrounds them. At least from the photo, the use of an appropriately robust HA lifting filler properly injected can lift and straighten out the incipient marionette line seen in the photo. An experienced injector can do this in about five to ten minutes with an immediate result that typically elicits a "Wow!"  You would be wise to consult with an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist filler injector. And, one more piece of advice. Don't go into any place asking for a particular gizmo that you have just read about on Dr. Google or seen on Dr. Tiktok because, to your later disappointment, you will likely get what you ask for. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Is CO2 / mini CO2 laser right for me? (Photo)

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Is CO2 / mini CO2 laser right for me? (Photo)

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Everything you need to know about CO2 Laser

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.