Long-time patient has begun posting day-by-day diary entries of the before, during and after experience of her Active FX fractionated CO2 laser resurfacing treatment, with photos and video. Read her diary on the blog >

ABLATIVE RESURFACING

Ablative skin resurfacing offers greater aging, wrinkle and scar reduction than non-ablative techniques. There is more recovery time with ablative treatments. Fractionated ablative laser treatments typically require much less recovery than older ablative methods. Generally make-up can be applied about 5-6 days after treatment.

FRACTIONATED RESURFACING IS USED TO TREAT:

• Sun damage and pigmentation of face, neck and chest
• Vertical lip lines
• Lower eyelid lines
• Crows feet
• Facial wrinkles
• Skin sagging
• Acne scarring

LASER RESURFACING

Laser resurfacing is a precise, effective and long-lasting method of skin rejuvenation. The carbon dioxide (CO2) laser precisely ablates the surface of the skin, —a valuable tool for treating a range of aesthetic problems, including wrinkles, sun damage, aging eyelids and acne scarring. No one treatment that is right for everyone- consult an experienced cosmetic physician about what are good choices for you.

ULTRAPULSE TECHNOLOGY

UltraPulse high-energy, short-pulsed carbon dioxide laser technology creates a precise effect on the skin, with a predictable zone of residual thermal damage. Clinically, there is global improvement in the appearance of the skin, with a reduction in age spots, pores, actinic keratoses and wrinkles, and an improvement in overall skin tone.

Since the introduction of laser resurfacing in 1994 we have learned that:

1. CO2 delivers the best effect for deep wrinkles due to its superior ability to provide continued histologic improvement over time.
2. Fewer passes yield the same results with less chance for complications.
3. CO2 can be used less invasively for treating milder indications or for when a shorter recovery time is desired.
4. Darker skin tones can be treated safely and effectively when treatment is superficial.

Upon long term follow-up, physician, patient and biopsy evaluations have proven that clinical benefits persist.

THE LUMENIS ULTRAPULSE CO2 LASER: POWER, SPEED AND VERSATILITY

Power
With 240W of pulse power to tissue, the UltraPulse is 6 times more powerful than any other fractional CO2 laser available. The first CO2 lasers delivered energy in continuous waves. These lasers could not produce very high peak powers for sustained periods, and therefore had limited pulse energy. As a result, charring often occurred when attempting to resurface tissue with practical spot sizes.

240 Watts of power allows the Ultrapulse to treat with safe and effective pulse durations that are less than 1 millisecond.

Speed
Speed comes twofold with the UltraPulse. First the UltraPulse has the highest pulse power and energy of any fractional CO2 laser system marked today. This lends itself to minimal time on tissue, which results in lower collateral thermal damage reducing patient pain and complications.

In addition to the benefit of a short pulse, the scanner has a capability to produce 6oo treatment spots per second and can treat up to a 10mm x 10mm area. The high pulse power also allows the UltraPulse to go up to a 1.3mm treatment spot for the ActiveFX superficial fractional and conventional ablative procedures.

Versatility
In my opinion, the UltraPulse is the most versatile fractional CO2 laser system available. It is capable of offering the full range of fractional resurfacing: DeepFX offers a small, deep spot microablative treatment and ActiveFX offers a large, superficial spot treatment. DeepFX and ActiveFX can be combined to form TotalFX, for total outcomes in the treatment of scars, fine lines, texture, dyschromia and deep wrinkles.