[Doctor's Column] CO2 Laser: A Summary of Essentials Patients Must Know

hello. The one I showed you in the last prologue Dermatology Procedure Guide, Do you remember?

Today, for the first session, we will cover the most basic yet crucial aspect of a doctor's skill. CO2 laser I have prepared a side.

Ugly spots that stand out particularly when you look in the mirror, skin tags that feel bumpy around the neck...

If you thought lightly, "Isn't this just going to disappear if I shoot it once with a laser?" Please make sure to read today's post to the end.

[Doctor's Column] CO2 Laser: A Summary of Essentials Patients Must Know

💡CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Laser It is a representative procedure that utilizes a 10,600nm wavelength with very high water absorption to precisely vaporize and remove only lesion tissue while minimizing thermal damage to surrounding tissues. It demonstrates excellent efficacy in treating protruding benign tumors on the skin surface and various pigment disorders, and allows for fine adjustment of energy according to the depth and type of the lesion.

🎯 CO2 Laser, Seek It When (Indications)

The first thing I need to know is whether this laser can solve my skin concerns. CO2 lasers the skin 'Precisely sculpting' laser no see. thus Something that 'protrudes' from the skin It is excellent at erasing sounds. "Doctor, can I remove this blemish with this too?" If you ask, "Feel it. Is it sticking out?" I will ask back. Flat melasma or freckles are not treated with CO2 lasers. (A non-ablative pigment laser is used.)

✔️ Mole/Nevus It is a benign tumor formed by clusters of melanocytes, which are pigment-forming cells, at the epidermal-dermal junction or within the dermis. Using a CO2 laser, the depth of the lesion is precisely determined, and the melanocyte membranes are thermally decomposed or the tissue is precisely vaporized and removed. Moles with deep roots are treated over multiple sessions.

✔️ Skin Tag/Acrochordon: It is a small, soft fibroma that protrudes from the skin due to the abnormal proliferation of collagen fibers and blood vessels caused by skin friction, aging, obesity, pregnancy, etc. The thin stalk (parietal stock) connected to the skin is excised with a laser, or small lesions are completely vaporized to remove them cleanly without scarring.

✔️ Flat Wart (Verruca Plana): This is an infectious disease caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, appearing as multiple small, flat papules on the skin. The entire virus-infected tissue is destroyed and removed using a laser. Due to its high contagiousness, treatment must be administered promptly before it spreads to surrounding areas.

✔️ Milia: It is a small, white, pearl-like cyst, approximately 1mm in size, caused by abnormalities in the sweat or sebaceous gland ducts deep within the pores, or by the excessive proliferation of keratin. A laser is used to create very fine holes on the surface of the lesion, after which the hard mass of keratin inside is extruded and removed.

✔️ Syringoma It is a benign tumor that occurs in multiple locations, primarily around the eyes, due to the abnormal proliferation of sweat gland ducts, and is situated deep within the dermis of the skin. Since it is a disease with frequent recurrence, a syringoma drilling technique is used to deliver laser energy deep into the dermis to destroy the deep sweat glands.

✔️ Age Spot/Seborrheic Keratosis: It is a brown to black, rough-surfaced benign tumor formed by the excessive proliferation of epidermal cells and the deposition of melanin pigment due to aging or UV exposure. Laser energy is adjusted according to the size and thickness of the lesion to precisely vaporize the protruding tissue and the pigmented layer of the epidermis, making the skin surface smooth.

✔️ Sebaceous Hyperplasia: It primarily occurs on the face (forehead, nose, cheeks) where sebum secretion is excessive due to the abnormal proliferation of sebaceous glands, appearing as flesh-colored or yellowish lobular papules with a concave center. Recurrence can only be prevented by destroying the proliferated sebaceous glands located deep within the body. The lesions are deeply vaporized and destroyed using a CO2 laser, or the sebaceous gland tissue is completely removed using drilling techniques.

🔥[Most Important!] Patient-Mastered Post-Procedure Care: CO2 Laser Care Method

CO2 lasers have the advantage of precisely targeting only the lesion to minimize damage to surrounding skin tissue, but, The speed of recovery, pigmentation, and the presence of scarring will vary completely depending on how you care for your skin after the procedure. It would be so upsetting if a scar remained after all the effort put into removing it beautifully, wouldn't it? We will boost the laser treatment effect by 200%. We will summarize the proper post-procedure care methods for you.

✅ Please make sure to follow these rules!

🩹Moist wound dressing (Duoderm) is a must! You must keep the bandage applied after the procedure on for at least one week. It is normal for the area to swell and turn white as fluid accumulates, as the fluid is full of skin-regenerating ingredients. Rather than changing the bandage frequently, it is recommended to change it every 2 to 3 days, provided there is no leakage.

💧 How should I wash my face and do my makeup?

Tape applied: Light cleansing and light makeup are possible! However, please handle the treated area with care to avoid rubbing vigorously or excessive contact with water. 🫧

Area without tape: Please avoid getting water on the treated area as much as possible on the day of the procedure, and we recommend light washing with water starting the next day. Please be careful as foam cleansers and similar products can irritate the skin.

☀️ UV protection is not an option, it's a necessity! (100 stars! ⭐)

After removing the healing tape, the skin, which still has redness, is very vulnerable to ultraviolet rays. If you are exposed to sunlight directly at this time... Pigmentation This may occur, and your skin may actually become darker than before the procedure!😱 When going out, please apply sunscreen thoroughly and frequently.

🚫 Bear with the itching! Let the scab fall off naturally!

As the treated area heals, a scab may form or it may feel slightly itchy. This is a sign that your skin is regenerating healthily, so please do not scratch it with your hands or forcibly remove the scab! 🙅‍♀️ If you forcibly remove it... scar There is a very high chance that scabs will remain. Please touch gently even when washing your face to prevent them from sliding off. Applying a thin layer of moisturizing or regenerating cream frequently will greatly help soothe and restore the skin.

🧖‍♀️ Goodbye for now to saunas, steam rooms, and intense workouts~

If the skin heats up or sweats excessively, there is a risk of infection and regeneration may be delayed. Minimum after the procedure About a week It is recommended to avoid visiting saunas, steam rooms, and swimming pools, as well as engaging in strenuous exercise that causes you to sweat profusely. 🧘‍♀️

[ 👉 An expert's closing line ]

Do not take unsightly blemishes in the mirror lightly and go to just any clinic. To avoid leaving scars on your precious face, you must find a doctor who treats even the smallest moles with meticulous care. Furthermore, even if blemishes are completely removed with a laser, achieving clear, scar-free skin ultimately depends on your thorough 'regeneration care and sun protection'!

※ This article introduces the general principles and information regarding dermatological procedures. , We do not recommend specific procedures or guarantee effectiveness. , It does not replace in-person consultation with a professional. .

Director Kim Tae-hee of Maypure Clinic Sunae Branch

· Graduated from Chonnam National University School of Medicine

· Chonnam National University Hospital Internal medicine specialist

· ( jeon ) Clinical Professor, Department of Pulmonology, Gangnam Severance Hospital

· ( jeon ) Assistant Professor, Department of Pulmonology, Gangnam Sacred Heart Hospital

· Regular member of the Korean Society of Internal Medicine

· Regular member of the Korean Society of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

· Member of the Korean Society of Cosmetology

👉 [ Maypure Treatment Information ] Laser | Maypure CO2 Laser Mole Removal (Removal of Moles, Flat Warts, Skin Tags, Milia, and Syringomas) - Maypure Community

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