ADVANCED LIGHT-BASED SKIN SOLUTIONS

 CO2 laser treatment uses controlled laser energy to remove or resurface selected layers of skin. Depending on the condition being treated, the laser can be used in different settings and depths.

At Bendigo Skin Doctors, CO2 laser may be considered for selected patients for the treatment of actinic keratoses (solar keratoses), actinic cheilitis of the lip, areas of significant sun damage, and for cosmetic skin resurfacing.

Every treatment begins with an appropriate clinical assessment to determine whether CO2 laser is suitable and whether another treatment may be more appropriate.

Actinic keratoses (AKs), also called solar keratoses, are areas of sun-damaged skin that commonly develop after years of ultraviolet exposure. They often occur on the:

• Face and forehead
• Scalp
• Ears
• Chest and décolletage
• Forearms
• Backs of the hands

Some actinic keratoses have the potential to progress to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), although it is not possible to predict which individual lesions will do so. In selected patients, CO2 laser may be used to remove superficial sun-damaged tissue and treat areas affected by actinic keratoses. Treatment is individually planned according to the number, location and appearance of the lesions, the degree of surrounding sun damage, skin type and previous treatments. 

Areas that are thickened, tender, ulcerated, rapidly changing or otherwise suspicious for skin cancer require medical assessment. A biopsy may be recommended before considering laser treatment.

CO2 laser treatment does not replace ongoing skin cancer surveillance, and new actinic keratoses can continue to develop following treatment.

Long-term sun exposure can cause chronic damage to the lips, particularly the lower lip. This condition is known as actinic cheilitis and is closely related to actinic keratosis of the skin.

Typical changes can include persistent dryness, scaling, roughness, colour change or loss of the normal border of the lip.

For appropriately selected patients, CO₂ laser ablation may be considered to remove affected superficial tissue and allow new epithelium to heal over the treated area.

Because actinic cheilitis can sometimes contain or develop into squamous cell carcinoma, the lip should be carefully assessed before treatment. Areas that are ulcerated, thickened or clinically suspicious may require biopsy before laser treatment.

CO2 laser can also be used for fractional skin resurfacing for cosmetic purposes. Fractional treatment creates controlled microscopic treatment zones within the skin while leaving surrounding areas untreated. The healing response can lead to changes in collagen and skin structure over time. Depending on the individual, CO2 fractional resurfacing may be considered for concerns such as:

• Fine lines
• Uneven skin texture
• Some forms of sun-related pigmentation
• Enlarged pores and surface irregularity
• Selected acne or traumatic scars
• General photoageing and sun-damaged skin

The degree of improvement varies between individuals and depends on factors including skin type, treatment depth, the condition being treated and the body's individual healing response. Some people may require more than one treatment or may benefit from other treatment options. 

Before treatment, your skin and the area of concern are assessed and an individual treatment plan is discussed.

The type and depth of CO₂ laser treatment varies considerably depending on whether we are treating an individual lesion, an area of actinic damage, the lip, a scar or performing fractional resurfacing.

Anesthetic options and aftercare requirements will be discussed before treatment.

CO2 laser causes a controlled injury to the skin, so a period of healing should be expected. Depending on the treatment area and depth, recovery may include:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Sensitivity or discomfort
• Crusting or peeling
• Temporary oozing following deeper ablative treatment

Visible healing may take from several days to approximately two weeks depending on the treatment performed. Redness or colour change can persist for longer. Lip treatment may involve significant swelling and crusting during the initial healing period. Individual recovery times vary. 

All laser procedures carry potential risks. These include:

• Pain or discomfort
• Prolonged redness
• Swelling
• Infection
• Reactivation of cold sores
• Delayed healing
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
• Hypopigmentation
• Persistent changes in skin colour
• Scarring
• Incomplete response
• Recurrence of the treated condition

Pigmentary changes may be more common in people with darker skin types. These risks, your individual skin type and expected recovery will be discussed during your consultation. 

CO2 laser is not appropriate for every patient or every skin condition.

For medical conditions such as actinic keratoses or actinic cheilitis, the first priority is establishing the correct diagnosis and excluding skin cancer where appropriate.

For cosmetic resurfacing, treatment recommendations depend on your skin type, concerns, medical history, expectations and tolerance for downtime.

Other treatments may sometimes be more appropriate.

A consultation allows us to assess your skin, discuss the available treatment options and determine whether CO2 laser is appropriate for you.

Treatment outcomes cannot be guaranteed and individual results and recovery vary.

Contact Bendigo Skin Doctors to arrange an assessment and discuss your treatment options.