Will CO2 laser help reduce red marks on my face? (photos)

Question

Over the last 2 years I have done 3 sessions of IPL, 1 session of BBL / Moxi Laser &; Chemical Peels. I use Vitamin C, Tretinoin & Sunscreen every day. Despite all my efforts I can NOT get these red marks on my face to go away. I feel very dishearten. Will a C02 Laser be my final answer? Or another recommendation?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Fractional CO2 laser is an excellent tool for skin rejuvenation in our center in Santa Monica. We use the fractional multi-depth ablative approach to help resurface the skin, recontour acne scars, improve incisional plastic surgery scars, and reduce surface irregularities from skin tone to dark pigmentation. Our approach utilizes a multi-depth approach that targets melanocytes in the epidermis and collagen fibroblasts in the dermis. This approach can be combined with a TCA Peel in a process known as a sapphire peel. Fractional laser is excellent for acne scars and contour scars in the skin. Patients are advised to undergo skin protocols with Melarase creams before and after treatment to help reduce pigmentation. Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads can seriously improve surface sun damage and UV related pigmentation. After the laser, we expect redness for a few weeks as the skin improves. PRP and Hydrafacial enzyme facials can further improve skin quality after fractional co2.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

Facial "broken" blood vessels or more appropriately called telangiectasias (which appear be the case here from the photos) are a very common problem that has been treated successfully for decades with radiowave (aka shortwave) diathermy. I have been using this approach to eliminate telangiectasias. None of the treatments mentioned in the question would have been expected to be particularly effective for the problem. So, no surprises at their lack of efficacy. You would be wise to consult with a board certified cosmetic dermatologist and be wary if offered any more of the expensive, so-called light and energy-based gizmos being hawked out there, since the hard science to back up their use lags well behind the heavy marketing hype and social media buzz to promote them. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Will CO2 laser help reduce red marks on my face? (photos)

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Will CO2 laser help reduce red marks on my face? (photos)

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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.