CO2 laser features
The wavelength of light emitted by CO2 lasers is 10600 nm, and this light is perfectly absorbed by water (the main chromophore for CO2 light, which is very abundant in the skin). The conversion of radiation energy into heat during absorption constantly raises the temperature of water in the tissues to 1000C and above, thus leading to its evaporation. The CO2 laser thoroughly evaporates the water of the epidermis and dermis, which causes the reorganization and alignment of collagen nodes in addition to epidermal regeneration and skin rejuvenation.
The first CO2 lasers generated a constant wave, but this technology did not catch on due to significant thermal damage and a high risk of scarring. The advent of powerful scanning CO2 lasers with a short pulse, which limited the heating of the skin, have become revolutionary in the rejuvenation industry.
These new lasers are capable of precisely removing light-damaged skin layers, leaving only a narrow area of dead tissue. The ability to control the depth of epidermal evaporation with minimal damage to the papillary dermis is a necessary condition for burn-free skin rejuvenation. CO2 laser helps to achieve the desired results by removing the outermost layer of the epidermis and some areas of the superficial dermis, which is then strengthened through conventional healing. Healthy epidermis moves from nearby tissues and adnexal structures, and new collagen and elastic tissue appear due to activated fibroblasts.
The thermal damage caused by the new CO2 lasers can be controlled by changing the pulse width, making treatment safer, more effective and more predictable.
Traditional powerful high frequency ablative CO2 lasers burn through the entire surface of the skin. Partial laser treatment, in turn, is an intermediate treatment and leaves untreated parts of normal skin next to microstructures of laser-treated skin. Since the entire surface of the skin is not processed, the rehabilitation period is faster. Newer lasers have the ability to deliver multiple levels of treatment through the use of traditional and new partial platforms. This allows both clinicians and patients to increase treatment options, minimize damage, and improve healing.
Although the newer fractional lasers are more gentle on patients, their rejuvenation efficacy cannot be compared to traditional lasers. CO2 lasers can also be used to make bloodless incisions in blepharoplasty and other eyelid surgeries, to reduce damage, and even to remove tumors. The laser technology itself or its use in combination with botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid fillers can bring very good results.
Despite this, traditional carbon dioxide lasers still dominate cosmetic surgery of the face, as no fractional laser can compare to traditional lasers in removing wrinkles and dyschromia. On the other hand, fractional ablative laser procedures can often be performed without sedation, which is a big plus for practitioners.
0.2mm 8W laser used for incisions during surgical procedures. The focal length of the emitter is used to make incisions in the skin and circular muscles, as well as partitions, while for melting or changing the shape of adipose tissue, the laser is defocused to increase the area of its impact on adipose tissue.
For lower eyelid surgery, both transcutaneous and transconjunctival approaches can be used. When choosing the latter, the conjunctiva and the sheath of the muscles are incised in such a way as to provide access to the lower layers of fat. The transcutaneous method involves the presence of an additional incision. In some patients, upper eyelid blepharoplasty is performed along with a lower eyelid rejuvenation procedure, which gives very good results. However, patients should be carefully selected for this procedure because it should not be done with lower eyelid distension, as this increases the risk of postoperative eversion of the eyelid (ectropion).
Output
Despite the fact that technologies are improving by leaps and bounds, and that there are many ways to rejuvenate the skin these days, laser therapy is still the best way to increase skin firmness and fight wrinkles, thus while retaining its well-deserved "gold" in the facial rejuvenation category.
Source: estet-portal.com.
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