I have heard that there have been great results from the traditional C02 but I have also heard that the recovery time is far greater than that of the Fractional C02. I have seen some great before and after photos from one of the most prominent laser specialists in my area, Dr. David Harvey at Associates in Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery. He is located in Ponte Vedra Beach Florida an Jacksonville Florida and answers questions via email, so I make sure to take advantage of the free advice. Email Dr. Harvey about any cosmetic dermatology needs at info@adasderm.com
I have had Traditional C02 Laser Resurfacing and did have great results. I will say that if you are willing to handle the down time then Traditional C02 Laser could be an option. I think that you would need to have deep wrinkles or acne scars to make it worthwhile. otherwise the new Fractional C02 Laser is a better alternative. Just my opinion, i have friends that have had the fractional c02 laser and they had amazing results and it only took them a few days to heal.
ns
I have also had Traditional C02 laser and will say that it was a painful recovery. A friend of mine just had the Smart Xide Fractional C02 and they had fabulous results and did not have the downtime that i experienced a few years ago. The other benefit to her treatment was that they also did the fractional C02 laser on her neck and hands, this was not available when i had my procedure done, not sure if you still cant do it but the fractional laser did great. She had it performed in Miami and there is a great dermatologist down there if you are nearby.
Just my thoughts..
steph
I also had the traditional CO2 laser treatment about 12 years ago – I am very fair skinned with fairly significant sun damage and acne scarrring. My results were amazing – I was very pleased. It virtually elimiated all of the scarring and most of the sun damage. However my face looked like a boiled lobster for a good 6 months before it faded – still – it was worth it – the results far outweighed the discomfort and embarrassment.
Am planning to have a laser treatment done again in the near future but I will definitely be trying the fractional CO2 this time around. I am impressed with what I’m hearing, especially the fact that i can be done on neck and hands.
I had the CO2 laser resurfacing procedure about 4 days ago..i had in in conjunction with another breast augmentation that needed to be redone ..the pain was unreal after the general anesthesia wore off, and it’s my 4th day and i must say that i am mortified to go in public , my face is lobster red and i look like i have been punched and scraped under my eyes ..i had been told that i should start to look okay after the 4th day but even though i see the lines around my mouth almost gone, the texture of my skin feels like sandpaper and the only topical treatment i was told to apply is Aquaphor, which seems to not be enough or matching the 2800 dollars i paid for this procedure…i had no scars , no lines really, i am 37 and just was hoping to get that smooth shiny, younger looking skin through this treatment which i had done all over my face and which i am really starting to regret…i am seeing my doctor again today but i am curious if anybody else has had this procedure and was prescribed anything else other than Aquaphor for healing and tissue repair , anything that would allow me to go back to work without looking like a burn victim…also if anybody else has had the CO2 laser resurfacing, what was the longest recovery time any of you had to endure before looking like a normal person…i guess i should have done more research on this matter but the Dr had such great reviews and testimonies , etc , that i just put myself fully into his hands…my breasts came out amazing this time, but my face , ugh , it is scaring me to look at myself in the mirror and i fear that it might never even go back to the way it was before the surgery