Fractional CO₂ laser
An ablative laser at 10,600 nm that removes the skin in a grid of tiny zones and stimulates new collagen formation. In our practice it is part of the Alma Hybrid, which combines the CO₂ wavelength with a non-ablative 1570 nm laser.
Overview
The CO₂ laser is an ablative laser, meaning it removes tissue, with a wavelength of 10,600 nanometres that is strongly absorbed by the water in the skin. Fractional means that the laser does not emit one broad beam but many individual pulses in a fine grid. Each pulse removes a tiny zone of skin, and healthy skin remains between the zones. From there the skin heals, and new collagen and elastic fibres form, which can lead to a tightening of the skin.
Because the skin is not removed over its whole surface, the healing phase is shorter than with full-surface ablation: as a rule it lasts a few days up to about a week, with redness, swelling and slight crusting of the skin. An anaesthetic cream is applied before the treatment. Besides the face, the neck, décolleté and backs of the hands can be treated. In the weeks after the treatment the skin must be protected from the sun consistently.
In our practice the fractional CO₂ laser is part of the Alma Hybrid. This system unites two wavelengths in one device: the ablative CO₂ laser at 10,600 nanometres and a non-ablative laser at 1570 nanometres, which delivers its heat into the depth without injuring the skin's surface. Both can be used individually or combined in the same session; their ratio controls how intensive the treatment is and how long the skin needs to recover afterwards. The procedure, number of sessions, downtime and risks are described on the treatment page.
Areas of application
- Skin resurfacing (renewal of the skin's surface)
- Wrinkles on the face, in particular fine lines around the eyes and upper lip, as well as on the neck, hands and décolleté
- Coarse-pored facial skin
- Stimulation of new collagen formation (collagen stimulation)
- Blotchy, uneven complexion
- Acne scars, in particular sunken (atrophic) scars, as well as surgical scars
- Melasma, in individual cases after medical assessment
- Stretch marks (striae) once they are no longer red
- Actinic keratoses; on severely sun-damaged skin also in combination with photodynamic therapy