Skin Resurfacing

CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing

Over time, sun damage and the natural ageing process can cause the firm, smooth skin of our youth to lose tone and elasticity. Wrinkles and lines begin to form, particularly around the mouth, eyes, and forehead plus colour imperfections such as brown spots and excess pigmentation become noticeable.

A range of different laser treatments are available with Dr Moss and Liberty Belle Skin Centre to improve the tone, texture and appearance of skin. Laser (light-based) treatments vary in intensity, concerns that they target and results that can potentially be achieved. Treatment options include Laser Genesis, IPL, Clear and Brilliant, Excel V, Fraxel, Pearl and Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) laser. A treatment plan can always be carefully tailored to suit your individual concerns and aims. Radio frequency skin tightening treatments (Infini, Thermage and Pelleve) are also available to help improve skin tone and collagen levels.

CO₂ Laser Skin Resurfacing uses focused light energy to remove thin layers of aged and damaged skin down to the deeper, collagen-containing layers that renew the skin. It is usually very effective in improving fine wrinkles and sun damage. While CO₂ laser technology is considered by many experts to be the gold standard in laser skin resurfacing, Dr Moss has many other less involved treatment options available to address concerns when skin ageing is less advanced. Treatment can be performed in isolation around the eyes, mouth, or forehead or over the full face. The CO₂ laser procedure encourages the growth of new skin cells and collagen production in the remaining deeper layers, to provide patients with significant benefits that can last for years.

The precision laser allows Dr Moss to control the depth and area of treatment to target individual problem areas such as smokers lines (vertical lines on the upper lip), loose or wrinkled lower eyelid skin, or to perform a full-face resurfacing for generalised cosmetic imperfections due to sun damage. During your consultation, Dr Moss will assess your skin condition and advise you on the best treatment options for you. It is important to main realistic expectations as deeper and animation wrinkles remain and no laser resurfacing procedure can deliver perfection.

Dr Chris Moss prefers the CO₂ laser because in his experience this produces the most effective wrinkle reduction, greatest firming of the skin and more lasting results than other laser resurfacing options such as the Pearl laser and Fraxel laser. It will not lift sagging facial tissues or remove excess skin and fat, and these problems would require eyelid or facelift surgery for benefits. Laser skin resurfacing is often performed on the mouth wrinkles at the same time as facelift surgery. Mild redness similar to sunburn (and easily concealed with makeup) usually occurs for a number of weeks during the healing period, however the partial smoothing of wrinkles achievable is long lasting! With careful patient selection and conservative resurfacing this option can greatly reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles and lines, particularly in the mouth area.

What is the best age for CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing?

There is no single best age for laser skin resurfacing. Treatment is appropriate when skin imperfections become a concern. Sun protection and the appropriate use of SPF help prevent the appearance of signs of ageing due to sun damage.