1.How Does Fractional CO2 Laser Work?

The prerequisite for understanding its therapeutic ability is to have insight into its working principle. The core of fractional CO2 laser lies in the absorption of “water” and “focal photothermal effect”.

1.1 Precision Energy Delivery

The 10600nm wavelength far-infrared laser released by fractional CO2 laser can be highly absorbed by moisture in skin tissue. When the laser is applied to the skin, this moisture vaporizes instantly, thereby removing or heating the target tissue with extreme precision, while minimizing thermal damage to surrounding tissues.

1.2 Revolution of the Fractional CO2 Laser

Traditional ablative laser scanning involves whole piece scanning, causing significant trauma and slow recovery. And modern fractional CO2 lasers are like tiny laser needles, creating countless Microscopic Treatment Zones (MTZs) on the skin, keeping the skin tissue around these micropores intact. This design greatly accelerates the healing process, while stimulating a strong skin wound repair response, promoting the generation and remodeling of a large amount of new collagen and elastic fibers, achieving better effect.

2.Main Skin Issues Treatable with CO2 Laser Therapy

Magic ability of CO2 laser covers many fields from wrinkles to proliferative lesions, and its effectiveness has been clinically validated for a long time.

2.1 Wrinkles and Skin Improvement

As time passes, collagen is lost, and the skin may become loose and wrinkled. CO2 laser is a powerful weapon against photoaging and natural aging.

• Static wrinkle elimination: It can significantly improve moderate to severe static wrinkles, such as deep forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, and wrinkles around the mouth. Laser vaporization of aging skin on the surface, while thermal stimulation promotes the contraction and regeneration of collagen in the dermis, thereby supporting the skin from the bottom and smoothing out wrinkles.
• Overall skin improvement: For problems such as rough skin, enlarged pores, and lack of luster, a comprehensive CO2 laser treatment can bring a “skin refreshing” effect. It can make the skin more delicate and firm, restoring the fullness and elasticity of young skin.

2.2 Skin Resurfacing for Texturally Irregular Skin

Acne-induced ice pick, boxcar, and rolling scars remain a persistent concern for many individuals. Due to their complex morphology, conventional skincare products are largely ineffective. CO2 fractional laser is internationally recognized as a first-line treatment for such atrophic acne scars.

• Mechanism: The laser beam can accurately vaporize the raised scar edges, while stimulating collagen regeneration at the bottom and around the scar. The newly formed tissue will gradually fill the depression, and after multiple treatments, the depth and severity of the acne pit will be significantly improved, and the skin will return to a smooth state.

2.3 Scar Revision

Not only acne scars, but many other types of scars can also be improved through CO2 laser.

• Hypertrophic scars and keloids: Laser can flatten protruding scar tissue and soften scars by inhibiting excessive proliferation of fibroblasts and inducing collagen remodeling, reducing their red appearance and itching discomfort, making them flatter and closer to normal skin color.
• Linear surgical scars: For surgical scars that appear white in color, hard in texture, or wide, CO2 laser can improve their color and texture, making them less noticeable.

2.4 Cutaneous Benign Growths and Pigmented Lesions

By utilizing its gasification ability, CO2 laser can accurately remove some benign proliferative lesions on the surface of the skin layer by layer.

• Skin adenoma, skin tumor, seborrheic keratosis (senile plaque): These benign small masses protruding from the surface of the skin can be precisely vaporized by CO2 laser, with fast treatment speed, minimal bleeding, and usually no trace left after recovery.
• Moles: Some benign, flat or slightly protruding moles can also be removed through this method. However, it should be emphasized that it must be diagnosed as benign by a professional doctor before treatment, otherwise there are potential risks.
• Epidermal nevi, sebaceous gland nevi, etc.: Some congenital benign skin diseases are also indications for them.

2.5 Treatment of Actinic Keratosis

Actinic keratosis is a common precancerous lesion of the skin, which is more common in middle-aged and elderly people who have been exposed to long-term sunlight. CO2 laser can effectively ablate these abnormally proliferating cell populations, preventing them from further developing into skin squamous cell carcinoma, while also achieving cosmetic effects in treating the disease.

3.Important Cares Before and After Treatment

3.1 Pre-treatment Evaluation and Contraindications
Before undergoing CO2 laser treatment, a comprehensive skin assessment and medical history investigation must be conducted. Professional doctors need to diagnose skin problems and rule out other possible related diseases.

It should be noted that CO2 laser therapy is not suitable for everyone. Contraindications include: pregnant and lactating women, acute inflammation period, highly sensitive patients who are intolerant to treatment, patients with malignant tumor, patients with scar constitution, patients with severe diabetes and hypertension, patients with psychosis, active vitiligo and psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and people with photosensitivity.

In addition, if the patient has been exposed to direct sunlight within 2 weeks or is currently taking retinoic acid medication, it is also necessary to inform the doctor specifically and adjust the treatment plan.

3.2 Postoperative Skin Care

CO2 postoperative care is crucial for recovery. From 0 to 24 hours after operation, redness, swelling and burning may occur in the treatment area. It is recommended to use medical cold compress or gauze wrapped ice pack intermittently for 10-15 minutes each time to alleviate discomfort, and use growth factor spray and antibiotic ointment together to prevent infection and promote healing. The wound should be kept clean 1-7 days after operation. After 24 hours, it can be gently washed to avoid friction. Continue to apply antibiotic ointment and growth factor gel. Before going to bed, medical facial mask can be used to soothe the skin.

After treatment, strict sun protection should be applied, especially during the 1-3 month period of high pigmentation and wind. When going out, hats and masks should be worn, and medical grade sunscreen (SPF30+, PA+++) should be applied promptly after scab removal. If pigmentation occurs, products such as hydroquinone cream or vitamin C can be used under the guidance of a doctor to help lighten it. In terms of daily life, avoid vigorous exercise, high temperatures, and sweating for one week after surgery; Do not apply makeup to the treatment area within 2-4 weeks to avoid clogging pores or irritating the skin; Eat more vitamin C and protein supplements, avoid spicy, alcoholic, and photosensitive foods.

4.Recovery Process and Final Results

Understanding CO2 laser requires understanding its recovery period, which is a crucial part of decision-making.

4.1 Expected Recovery Process

After treatment, the skin may experience redness, swelling, and a burning sensation, similar to severe sunburn. Within the next few days, the treatment area will form tiny scabs (in dot matrix mode, small frosting like scabs). Strict sun protection and keeping the wound moist are the golden rules of care at this stage. The scab usually sheds in about 7-10 days, revealing newly formed pink and tender skin. In the following 1-3 months, the skin may continue to show a faint pink color accompanied by slight dryness, and collagen remodeling will continue internally for up to 6 months.

4.2 Non Disposable Effects

Reasonable expectations must be established: for deep wrinkles or severe acne scars, 2-3 or even more treatments are usually required, with an interval of 3-6 months between each treatment, to achieve the desired effect. The effect is gradual, and over time, the skin will become better and better.

5. Make Wise Choices Under Professional Guidance

Fractional CO2 laser is undoubtedly a powerful medical device, but its effectiveness and safety highly depend on the skills, experience, and meticulous postoperative care of the operating doctor. It is not suitable for everyone, for example, patients with active acne, pregnancy, a history of keloids, or certain specific skin diseases need to choose carefully.

Nubway‘s CO2 laser is a multifunctional beauty device. It can treat and improve various skin problems, including scar repair, skin tightening, even skin tone, and pore shrinkage. The device is equipped with a long-lasting RF tube with a lifespan of up to 20000 hours, ensuring durability and reliable performance. The non polarized laser emission combined with a firmly fixed optical arm ensures stable laser output and also improves the long-term cost-effectiveness of the equipment.

This multifunctional system integrates dot matrix mode, gynecological mode, and surgical mode, and is powered by a 1000 watt high-power power supply to ensure stable operation and continuous sufficient energy output of the equipment, thereby achieving the best treatment effect.