Fractional CO2 laser ablation has become increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional plastic surgery. So, What do Cosmetic Dermatologists & Plastic Surgeons want to know about C02 fractional treatments?
Treating Specific Cosmetic Conditions:
1. DeepFx is best for vertical lip lines, deep wrinkles, acne scars. It goes deep and stimulates more collagen and ablates more tissue for more tightening.
2. Reliants ActiveFx is better for more superficial pigment and more surface textural problems
3. For Stria (Stretch Marks): Use ActiveFx: 80-100 mj, density 1-2. Use Density 2 for thicker Stria. (Note: Do NOT use the DeepFx for Stria.)
4. Melasma: Medical experts are not sure it will work and do not recommend treating Malasma at this time. This may change however since they're experimenting with it. Melasma is a whole topic by itself.
5. Tattoos: DeepFx might be good for resistant Tattoos
Fractional C02 Laser Treatments: Pre-Post Treatment Tips;
1. Use mild moisturizers to avoid acne flare-ups.
2. You don't have to use aquaphor or vasoline. Mild moisturizers are good enough (personal communication from company reps).
3. Be careful of the lanolin in the aquaphor.
4. Using Aveeno Water Gel gets you one less day of Downtime! (From Dr. Weiss). What is Aveeno Water Gel? How do we get it?
5. Post TotalFx Treatment: Use "Soaks" every 3-4 hours for comfort.
6. Post Care: Cold packs or Zimmer Cooler for 30-45 min after treatment.
7. Use Valtrex for all patients. (One case of disseminated herpes on the face won't make your patients happy.) Might use Acyclovir since it costs much less (Four Dollars at Walmart!).
8. Check all patients the next day, this makes you and them feel better.
9. Don't give pain medications after treatment. If they have pain, you want to know about it and see them. They should not have pain for more than a few hours. Prolonged pain suggests infection: bacterial, viral, or fungal.
10. Pliaglis can be mixed with Cetaphil cleanser or moisturizer. 90% Pliaglis and 10% cleanser or moisturizer in the mix.
11. Experts worry about possible Lidocaine toxicity. Compounded Lidocaine works as well or better than Pliaglis. Pliaglis costs $60 per treatment. Compounded Lidocaine costs about $6 per treatment.
12. Experts do not routinely use oral antibiotics unless indicated for acne outbreak prevention: Keflex 500 mg TID, Doxycycline 100 mg BID, Erythromycin can be used to prevent acne outbreak.
13. Sunscreens: Use everyday after skin is healed up. Wear hat and stay out of sun until healed.
14. Use a good UVA blocker as further protection.
Fractional C02 lasers can produce great results if used correctly like any technology, it's not perfect. - 16650
Treating Specific Cosmetic Conditions:
1. DeepFx is best for vertical lip lines, deep wrinkles, acne scars. It goes deep and stimulates more collagen and ablates more tissue for more tightening.
2. Reliants ActiveFx is better for more superficial pigment and more surface textural problems
3. For Stria (Stretch Marks): Use ActiveFx: 80-100 mj, density 1-2. Use Density 2 for thicker Stria. (Note: Do NOT use the DeepFx for Stria.)
4. Melasma: Medical experts are not sure it will work and do not recommend treating Malasma at this time. This may change however since they're experimenting with it. Melasma is a whole topic by itself.
5. Tattoos: DeepFx might be good for resistant Tattoos
Fractional C02 Laser Treatments: Pre-Post Treatment Tips;
1. Use mild moisturizers to avoid acne flare-ups.
2. You don't have to use aquaphor or vasoline. Mild moisturizers are good enough (personal communication from company reps).
3. Be careful of the lanolin in the aquaphor.
4. Using Aveeno Water Gel gets you one less day of Downtime! (From Dr. Weiss). What is Aveeno Water Gel? How do we get it?
5. Post TotalFx Treatment: Use "Soaks" every 3-4 hours for comfort.
6. Post Care: Cold packs or Zimmer Cooler for 30-45 min after treatment.
7. Use Valtrex for all patients. (One case of disseminated herpes on the face won't make your patients happy.) Might use Acyclovir since it costs much less (Four Dollars at Walmart!).
8. Check all patients the next day, this makes you and them feel better.
9. Don't give pain medications after treatment. If they have pain, you want to know about it and see them. They should not have pain for more than a few hours. Prolonged pain suggests infection: bacterial, viral, or fungal.
10. Pliaglis can be mixed with Cetaphil cleanser or moisturizer. 90% Pliaglis and 10% cleanser or moisturizer in the mix.
11. Experts worry about possible Lidocaine toxicity. Compounded Lidocaine works as well or better than Pliaglis. Pliaglis costs $60 per treatment. Compounded Lidocaine costs about $6 per treatment.
12. Experts do not routinely use oral antibiotics unless indicated for acne outbreak prevention: Keflex 500 mg TID, Doxycycline 100 mg BID, Erythromycin can be used to prevent acne outbreak.
13. Sunscreens: Use everyday after skin is healed up. Wear hat and stay out of sun until healed.
14. Use a good UVA blocker as further protection.
Fractional C02 lasers can produce great results if used correctly like any technology, it's not perfect. - 16650
About the Author:
Medical Spa MD offers physician forums, discussions, and current information about the newest Fractional C02 Laser technologies for medical providers and other non-surgical cosmetic medical topics to a physician community of Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists and Aesthetic Physicians with over 2,000 Members.Medical Spa MD
