Fractional CO2 Laser Singapore—What You Need to Know

Many people experience acne breakout when they enter their teenage years. When we move into our adult years, the acne slowly subsides. For some, however, acne persists long into the adult phase of their lives. Moreover, it also results in deep and visible scarring.

There are different methods available on the treatment of acne and the resultant scarring. One highly effective method is fractional CO2 laser Singapore.

Let’s find out more.

Understanding fractional CO2 laser

One of the reasons why patients will opt for the fractional CO2 laser is because it is quick and effective. The whole procedure will take less than half an hour. Furthermore, the patient will require only 3-7 days of downtime.

And that’s not all. The treatment is also simple to perform. The doctor starts by applying a numbing cream. This sits on your face for 10-20 minutes before it takes full effect. Once your face is numb, you are ready to receive treatment.

The patient receives protective eye gear. This helps keep the eyes safe from the laser beam. The doctor will then direct the fractional CO2 laser on the face. The numbing cream helps prevent any painful sensation. Note however that if you are a man, areas with facial hair will feel a bit sensitive. This is because the skin in these areas is more sensitive to light.

After the procedure, the patient will require downtime. The face may appear red and swollen. However, the good thing is that this is just minor effects of the treatment and will soon disappear. Patients can resume normal activities in 2 to 5 days.

The first treatment will require the fractional CO2 laser treatment to be set at low power. This is because the skin is not yet used to the beam of light. However, as the patient goes in for subsequent treatments, power can be raised as the skin is now used to the light beam.  

After four to five days, the skin will start to look much better and normal. However, during this time, it is important to take measures to ensure that our skin is well protected. Firstly, stay out of direct sunlight. If you have to walk in the sun, ensure you have applied sunscreen with SPF 30. Also, you may experience scabbing. To prevent this, use anti-bacterial moisturizer.

In a week, you will notice that there is less scarring on your face. One of the main benefits of fractional CO2 laser injection is that it stimulates the skin to create more collagen. As a result, new skin grows to replace older and damaged skin.

Compared to other forms of acne scar treatment, CO2 is considerably cheaper.

Cost fractional CO2 laser treatment in Singapore

One of the biggest challenges that patients experience when searching for aesthetic treatments in Singapore is that the costs are not straightforward. Different doctors and clinics offer different costs.

There are several factors that you need to consider if you are planning of going for a fractional CO2 treatment. These include:

• The consultation fees
• The cost of one session of fractional CO2 laser treatment
• How many sessions you will require
• The experience level of the doctor

The total of these should give you’re a rough figure of how much you can expect to pay for your treatment. Note that the more experienced the doctor, the higher they are likely to charge.

However experienced doctors such as Dr Edwin Lim are also able to avoid any serious side effects that could potentially occur.

Who is best suited for fractional CO2 laser treatment? 

This treatment is best suited for

• People with skin pigmentation
• People who have saggy skin
• Those with acne scars
• Those looking to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

The doctor will advise on how many sessions you may need depending on your condition and individual circumstances.

If you have a teenager who has deep scarring on their face due to acne, fractional CO2 laser treatment is a good way to restore their natural smooth skin. As a parent, you don’t want to see your child in any kind of pain be it physical or emotional.

The effects of acne can put a dent on your child’s self-esteem and that is why you may want to consider solutions to the problem.

Is it painful? 

While patients will experience a hot sensation during the treatment, it is not painful and is tolerable by most. However, the patient may experience soreness after the treatment. This will last between 1 to 3 hours after the treatment.

Are there any major side effects

There are minimal potential side effects. The most popular ones however include:

• • Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
  • Reddening of the skin.
  • Sometimes the herpes simplex virus may be reactivated.
  • Scarring

• The patient may also experience a secondary bacterial infection.

How many sessions should it take?

While the number of treatment sessions required depends on the patient, many will start to experience smoothening of the skin after 2-3 sessions. After this time, the patient will also notice that less scarring.

Final Thoughts

If you are suffering from acne scars but are not willing to go under the knife, then you will be pleased to try out fractional CO2 laser treatment. The procedure is non-invasive and produces fast results. There is also less downtime required not to mention the treatment is considerably cheaper than other more invasive techniques.