If there were a way to clear stubborn, rolling acne scars, we’d want to hear it. More so, if that method involves quickly beaming away the deep scars and giving us clearer, smoother skin in less than a month. Well, we’re telling you–CO2 lasers are it.
CO2 lasers are a skin resurfacing treatment that can help fade dark marks and plump up the craters left by painful acne. The caveat is that it goes a little beyond just zapping at the skin: the laser beams eliminate skin tissue and injure the deeper layers of the skin.
It might sound like more harm than good for already damaged skin, but the process actually triggers the skin’s wound-healing process so that after a period of recovery, you get skin that’s as good as new.
We get into the nitty-gritty of these laser treatments, including how they work, why fractional lasers stand out, and what to expect after. We also share the best clinics to get CO2 laser in Singapore!
What Is a CO2 Laser?
Photo source: Edwin Lim Medical Aesthetic Clinic
If you thought that these lasers beam carbon dioxide into the skin based on their name alone, don’t worry because that’s not actually how they work.
What really happens is that CO2 lasers use an active gas medium consisting of carbon dioxide, as well as helium, nitrogen, hydrogen, and xenon. This gas medium is then stimulated using either radiofrequency or a current to produce a laser beam, which can be safely used to treat the skin.
What Does a CO2 Laser Do?
Skin after a CO2 laser treatment. Photo source: np.miranda/TikTok
In aesthetic treatments, the lasers are used to resurface skin, which can help heal acne scars, fade pigmentation, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and renew dull skin.
Think of skin resurfacing as two-fold: firstly, the lasers remove the outer layer of (damaged) skin, and secondly, they heat the deeper layer of the skin to stimulate collagen production.
CO2 lasers are useful for treating depressed acne scars like these. Photo source: airinskinclinic/TikTok
When directed onto the skin, the laser beams eliminate the layer of skin at the epidermis, promoting the growth of new skin. This enables the lasers to fade pigmentation occurring at the superficial layer of the skin.
In addition, the lasers heat the deeper dermis of the skin, triggering the skin’s healing process and the production of collagen and elastin.
This helps the skin become firmer, bouncier, and smoother, making the lasers ideal for treating deeper skin issues such as sunken acne scars, sagging skin, and fine lines and wrinkles.
Differences: Fully Ablative and Fractional CO2 Laser
Fractional CO2 lasers are what most aesthetic clinics use compared to the “regular” fully ablative laser, the reason being that it offers a shorter downtime.
Unlike fully ablative lasers that “zap” away a larger surface of the skin, the fractional lasers use microbeams to remove the skin in smaller columns, creating zones of treated and untreated skin that allow for quicker healing.
As the skin recovers quicker, patients enjoy minimal post-treatment redness and scarring, and a shorter downtime with the fractional laser. As smaller areas of the skin are treated each time, several sessions are usually required to achieve the desired results.
Day two and six after a fractional CO2 laser treatment. Photo source: aechapek/TikTok
This laser can also be adjusted to reach varying depths of the skin, making it useful for treating superficial skin issues like fine lines, mild scarring, and pigmentation as well as deeper problems like wrinkles, skin laxity, and depressed acne scarring.
On the other hand, fully ablative lasers use a single, wider beam to remove the skin at the surface epidermis and deeper dermis, allowing for the elimination of damaged skin to a larger degree during each session.
Fully ablative lasers can be used to treat wrinkles, scarring, and skin laxity and typically require one session of treatment. However, patients will experience significant post-treatment redness, swelling, and peeling.
How Long Does CO2 Laser Take to Heal?
Immediately and one day after CO2 laser. Photo source: aechapek/TikTok
You might be shocked by how your skin looks right after a treatment: it’ll appear red all over and you’ll have to endure a “sunburn” sensation for the first few days. Don’t worry, because as the skin heals, it starts to scab at the surface and the redness will subside after about a week.
Be ready to set aside at least five to seven days to recover, during which you’ll have to apply an antibiotic cream to aid your skin’s healing process. Patients are also usually advised to use a gentle cleanser, skip harsh exfoliating products for the first week, and hydrate the skin with a gentle moisturiser twice a day.
As the skin is prone to hyperpigmentation post-treatment, you can expect to avoid sun exposure for the first week and apply sunscreen after the recovery period.
Where to Get CO2 Laser in Singapore
V Medical Aesthetics & Laser Clinic
Photo source: vaestheticsclinics/Instagram
For quality treatments at affordable prices, consider making an appointment at V Medical Aesthetics & Laser Clinic. The aesthetic clinic offers trial prices for first-timers and it has priced its popular Fractional CO2 Laser treatment at just S$98 nett.
Each treatment takes 30 minutes and doctors will recommend clients to return for five to 10 sessions, depending on their skin needs. Each treatment will be spaced three to four weeks apart and requires a minimal recovery period of four to five days.
The aesthetic clinic has 17 outlets peppered all over the island, making it easy for busy urbanites to pop in and out for a skin treatment without much disruption to their schedules.
The treatment is priced at S$98 nett instead of S$450 per session for first-timers. Book an appointment here.
Sozo Aesthetic Clinic
Heal your stubborn acne scars with the help of aesthetic doctors at Sozo Aesthetic Clinic.
Well-recognised for its skin care treatments, the clinic offers one of the most comprehensive ranges of acne scarring solutions in Singapore, inclusive–of course, of the Fractional CO2 Laser.
Specifically, the clinic uses Edge One laser to treat clients’ acne scars. Edge differentiates itself from other carbon dioxide lasers by its finer beams, resulting in reduced post-treatment redness, scarring, and downtime.
Sozo Aesthetic Clinic has earned an excellent 4.8 out of five-star review on Google, with clients applauding the difference the clinic’s fractional laser treatment has made to their skin.
The treatment is priced starting from S$450. Book a consultation here.
Gangnam Laser Clinic
Take a step in the right direction to achieving the Korean glass skin of your dreams at Gangnam Laser Clinic.
By combining Korean aesthetic equipment with Korean aesthetic techniques, doctors at this clinic effectively improve skin concerns like acne scarring, pigmentation, and ageing skin with its selection of treatments.
The clinic is led by two doctors, Dr Gary Si and Dr Daniel Khaw, who receive training from medical experts in Korea to stay up-to-date on aesthetic techniques and beauty trends.
Find out more about the treatment here.
Halley Medical Aesthetics Clinic
Whether you’re looking for treatments to refresh your dull-looking skin or fight stubborn skin concerns like acne scarring, Halley Medical Aesthetics Clinic will find a customised solution for you.
The aesthetics clinic offers a suite of skin resurfacing laser treatments such as Pico Laser, Fraxel Dual Laser, and–of course, Fractional CO2 Laser. The carbon dioxide laser treatment is effective for healing acne scars, fading pigmentation, smoothening rough skin, and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Halley Medical Aesthetics Clinic is helmed by medical director Dr Terence Tan, who has received awards for his achievements in other aesthetic treatments. The clinic boasts a 4.7 out of five-star rating from over 300 reviewers on Google.
The treatment is priced at S$390 per session. See the price list here.
Edwin Lim Medical Aesthetic Clinic
Edwin Lim Medical Aesthetic Clinic uses eCO2 Laser to treat deep acne scars with minimal downtime.
The eCO2 laser is a fractional laser that uses microbeams to ablate (or remove) the skin tissue, leaving surrounding tissue untouched for quicker recovery. The treatment is carried out in two parts: first, the doctor uses a high-powered setting to target the acne scars, and second, he uses a less intense setting to treat the rest of the face for overall skin rejuvenation.
By the second day, your skin will have begun healing and producing new collagen and, after two weeks, you should enjoy clear and healed skin.
Dr Edwin Lim is experienced at combining different laser treatments to heal acne scars and other skin issues like pigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles. The clinic also offers Pico Fractional Laser, Rejuran Scar, and Subcision to improve stubborn acne scarring.
The Clifford Clinic
Reduce post-treatment redness and scarring when you get a Fractional CO2 Laser at The Clifford Clinic.
Doctors at this aesthetic clinic don’t use just any fractional laser–they use the latest generation of Edge: Edge Pulse. This specific laser is known for using tinier beams that cause minimal damage to skin tissue, resulting in a reduced recovery time.
In addition, the clinic is highly trusted for its comprehensive range of effective laser treatments including the Pico Laser and Q-Switch Laser. Led by founders Dr Gerard Ee and Dr Chow Yuen Ho, The Clifford Clinic has garnered a stellar 4.6 out of five-star rating from over 300 reviewers on Google.
Find out more about the treatment here.
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Readers are advised to consult with qualified healthcare professionals before a treatment.
Featured image credit: aechapek, np.miranda/TikTok
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