CO2 Laser - Denver, Co

• Do not be in the sun for any period of time 3 days before treatment.  Do not have any active sunburn.
• Plan to leave your house only very rarely for 7-20 days after treatment.
• Drink lots of water the day before and of treatment. As the laser is attracted to water, the more water you drink prior to the treatment, the more effective the treatment it will be.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol as they dehydrate the skin.
• Prepare your skin by applying Hydroquinone creams every  night for 2 weeks prior. These products help prevent your face from tanning after the treatment.
• We will provide most of what you will need for after your treatment but you will need to purchase a gallon of distilled water and white vinegar.  This will be used for vinegar compresses during the first three days after treatment to keep the skin clean while healing.

• Immediately post treatment pinpoint bleeding may occur with a clinical endpoint of redness and swelling.
• You will experience a sunburn-like sensation along with discomfort and tenderness for up to 7 days.
• You will be sore and feel like a sunburn for up to three days. 
• After the second day, skin may darken and appear as an exaggerated tan which can take up to 90 days to fade.
• Within 2-5 days expect the skin to scab over where the laser created an injury and then start to flake off. It is very important that you do not pick at your skin during this time.
• Be patient: results will begin to be noticed after the healing process which takes up to 90 days on the face and up to 6 months on the neck, chest or hands. Results will continue to improve for up to 6 months post treatment.

• For the first 3 nights try to sleep upright and on your back if possible.
• You may wash your face gently using your fingertip with room temperature water.
• Vinegar soaks made by mixing one cup of distilled water with 1 tablespoon of white distilled vinegar, must be applied to the skin three or more times a day for a duration of five or more minutes followed by the application of Vaseline or a topical OTC antibiotic ointment of your choice such as Neosporin or Polysporin.
• Use vinegar soaks for a minimum of 3 days.
• Besides Vaseline, no other products should be used with the exception of SPF 30 or higher which must be applied over your ointment if going outside. *Continue this until pinpoint scabbing completely sloughs off, at that time you may resume your regular skin care routine.
• Avoid any heat to the skin for up to 5-7 days such as hot showers, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga, and vigorous exercise to reduce the chance of hyperpigmentation (darker pigmentation).
• Avoid makeup application for a minimum of 7 days.
• Avoid picking or scratching the treated skin to achieve your best results.
• Avoid direct sun exposure and tanning beds throughout the treatment course so as to reduce the chance of adverse reactions like hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation.

Depending upon the settings and used, one full face CO2 treatment is sufficient to produce significant age-reversing results. Considering the downtime involved, repeat treatments are not recommended for at least one-year post-treatment.

For treatment of scars and/or acne scars, multiple treatments may be needed and can be spaced every 6-12 months.