SmartSkin CO2™

SmartSkin CO2™ Micro-Ablative Laser Skin Renewal

Have you had concerns over sun-damaged, scarred, and/or aged skin?  If you have, you are not alone.  These concerns may include fine lines, old acne scars, wrinkles, brown and red spots, and coarsened, dry skin areas.  Or, you may have specific concerns about lines and wrinkles around the mouth and eyes.  While a good home skincare regimen is important, you will likely need more to get the results you are looking for. 

Our SmartSkin CO2 laser may be the right treatment option for you.  This exciting new treatment system is an excellent choice for aging, sun damaged, and scarred skin.  It has a range of treatment options that can be customized to suit your needs, whether you are simply looking to refresh your look, or appear years younger.

What can you expect?  Smoother, younger appearing skin, smaller pores, less noticeable lines, wrinkles, and scars, and less discoloration (brown and red spots).  All of this, in one procedure. 

We achieve this result by combining skin resurfacing and collagen rejuvenation in one treatment.  We also personalize your treatment parameters to best meet your aesthetic and ‘downtime’ expectations.

I’d like to learn more about the SmartSkin procedure.

The best way to learn more about the SmartSkin procedure, our results, and our personalized treatment recommendations for you would be to schedule a SmartSkin consultation.  During this consultation, we will learn more about your concerns and goals, examine potential treatment areas, provide you with a detailed treatment plan, and the most likely outcome of your SmartSkin procedure.

While many people may benefit from a SmartSkin procedure, it may not be the best choice for everyone.  If you are an ideal candidate, and you wish to proceed with a SmartSkin procedure, we’ll schedule the treatment and provide you with pre-procedure instructions and any prescriptions (should they be necessary).

How does the SmartSkin procedure work?

During the procedure, the SmartSkin laser will be used to effectively stimulate and rejuvenate both the outer (epidermis) and inner (dermis) layers of your skin.

The SmartSkin is comprised of a C02 laser that is applied to the treatment areas with a unique scanning handpiece.  The laser has a wavelength of 10,600 nm and delivers laser pulses to the skin that measure 350 µm in diameter.  Each laser pulse creates a micro-zone of ablation in the epidermis, and the number of pulses in a given area can be carefully controlled.  Adjusting the spacing of the laser pulses allows us to leave some of the skin surface untouched, leading to faster healing and less downtime.  We also control the timing and power level of the pulses, allowing for more or less aggressive procedure outcomes. 

The primary target of the C02 laser is water.  Once it has passed through the epidermis, the laser energy is delivered to the deeper, collagen bearing tissues below.  It is this interaction of water, the C02 laser, and collagen that ultimately leads to the collagen rejuvenation and skin tightening that is one of the hallmarks of a SmartSkin procedure.

Am I a candidate for the SmartSkin procedure?

If you have sun-damaged and aged skin, fine lines and wrinkles, old acne scars, or areas of discoloration (brown spots), you may be an excellent candidate for the SmartSkin procedure.  The only way to know for sure is to discuss your aesthetic goals, review your history, and examine the potential treatment areas during a SmartSkin consultation.  Please note that some skin types may not be well suited to this procedure.  It’s also important to understand the post-procedure course, and the impact it may have on your activities in the days following the procedure.

What areas can I treat with the SmartSkin?

The most common treatment areas are the face, neck, declotte, and hands.  In reality, any skin surface can be treated with the SmartSkin CO2 laser.  You can also elect to treat smaller areas, such as fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth and eyes.

What can I expect during and immediately after a SmartSkin procedure?

The SmartSkin procedure takes about one hour.  We apply a topical numbing cream prior to beginning the procedure, and carefully document the treatment areas.  Once the procedure has begun, we use various cooling measures to maintain your comfort.  After the lasering portion, we will continue to cool the skin before applying post-treatment ointment.  You will then receive a post-procedure kit and detailed skincare instructions, and we’ll schedule your first follow-up appointment.

You will notice some degree of redness and swelling after the procedure, followed by gradual peeling.  It is not uncommon for dark spots to get darker before flaking off.  You may also have an itching and/or warm sensation, plus some skin dryness.  These procedure effects are all normal, and the intensity varies, based upon the treatment parameters used at the time of your SmartSkin procedure. 

It is not uncommon to have several days of downtime immediately after the procedure, in which sun exposure, heavy exercise, or outdoor activities are discouraged.  This downtime is more social in nature, and will not prevent you from doing many of your normal activities. During this time, you will need to follow our post-procedure instructions carefully to have the best possible result.

How many SmartSkin procedures will I need?

We try to meet all of your aesthetic goals with one procedure.  If you are prepared for a longer recovery period (5-6 days), we can use more aggressive treatment parameters and achieve a more dramatic result.  If you require less downtime, we may need to schedule several procedures to get a similar result.

Will I need any medications for the SmartSkin procedure?

If you have ever had cold sores, we will prescribe acyclovir for you to take before and after your procedure.  Additional prescription medications, including pain medications, are usually not needed for the SmartSkin procedure.

When can I expect to see results, and how long will they last?

We often see very nice results as early as 10-14 days after the procedure.  Additional improvements can be noted for several months, as the collagen rejuvenation process takes full effect. 

The SmartSkin C02 procedure can significantly improve the tone and texture of your skin.  It can also dramatically improve the lines and wrinkles on your skin, and take years off your appearance.  These effects can last for years.  However, you will continue to age, and it is important to continue taking excellent care of your skin.

See our before and after photos here