Ultrapulse CO2
Since 1995, Palo Alto Dermatology Institute physicians has helped thousands of patients achieve healthier and more youthful appearing skin with the use of Ultrapulse® CO2 laser resurfacing by targeting wrinkles, blotchy skin, precancerous lesions and loss of skin elasticity. Our founder, Dr. Greg S. Morganroth, was one of the first physicians to perform full-face laser resurfacing in Silicon Valley in 1995 and trained many of the local dermatologists and plastic surgeons in the technique. Palo Alto Dermatology Institute is one of the few practices in the United States that has two of the original Coherent Ultrapulse 5000c lasers that offer a more aggressive resurfacing technique versus today’s fractional CO2 lasers. To see if you’re a candidate for laser resurfacing with the Ultrapulse® CO2 technology, please contact Palo Alto Dermatology Institute or schedule your consultation online.
The Ultrapulse® CO2 was introduced approximately 30 years ago and was a transformational laser that began the laser skin resurfacing phenomena. The main effects of the Ultrapulse® CO2 laser are derived from the technology’s ability to target all of the damaged skin cells over an entire surface area. This is in contrast to most of today’s resurfacing lasers that are fractional and treat only approximately 10-60% of the skin surface. By targeting the cells at the surface and vaporizing them, your Palo Alto Dermatology Institute provider speeds up the natural cell regeneration cycle; causing damaged, old cells to be replaced with new, healthy skin.
This ability to remove all of the entire damaged skin cells (versus fractional laser alternatives) makes the Ultrapulse CO2 laser a valuable and highly effective tool either for spot treating damaged skin or for performing a full-face laser resurfacing.
However, in order to achieve the best laser skin resurfacing outcomes, it is vital to use the right treatment settings and undergo treatment with an experienced physician. For example, the settings will determine the extent of the superficial damage on the skin. This is a vital consideration, as the greater the intensity of treatment, the better the results and the longer the recovery time.
Palo Alto Dermatology Institute providers have utilized the Ultrapulse® CO2 laser to address a number of issues, including hyperpigmentation, acne scars, wrinkles, birthmarks, precancerous lesion, and rough skin texture. The resurfacing process can significantly improve skin appearance, texture and can tighten skin by stimulating collagen production.
At Palo Alto Dermatology Institute we’ve invested a great deal of time and effort to ensure that all of our laser providers are trained in the best laser skin resurfacing techniques. Ultrapulse® CO2 laser treatments are performed by our laser experts who individually have up to 30 years of experience and over one thousand procedures. The Ultrapulse resurfacing treatment is safe under Palo Alto Dermatology Institute protocols and can provide dramatic outcomes not achievable with a single fractional CO2 laser procedure.
Results from the Ultrapulse® CO2 laser will depend on the size of the area being treated (for example, if just a spot treatment was performed or if the entire face was resurfaced), and the specific settings that were utilized during the procedure.
Many patients who undergo laser skin resurfacing tend to experience positive outcomes in the long term. Ultrapulse® CO2 represents one of the most effective laser resurfacing techniques and will have a corresponding longer duration of action versus more superficial or fractional resurfacing lasers. Of course, treatments with the Ultrapulse® CO2 laser will not stop aging, and the improved skin will continue the natural aging process. However, laser skin resurfacing is meant to significantly improve the appearance of your skin by targeting previous skin damage, tightening skin and reducing wrinkles.
When you visit Palo Alto Dermatology Institute for laser skin resurfacing, your provider will assess your skin concerns and determine whether this treatment is the best procedure in your circumstances.
This procedure can be performed under local anesthesia with or without IV (intravenous) sedation which are necessary to mimimize discomfort. This procedure cannot be performed with topical anesthesia alone.
During treatment, you will feel minimal discomfort due to the numbing from the local anesthesia, especially if performed with IV sedation. Palo Alto Dermatology Institute providers will do everything possible to minimize any discomfort during this part of your treatment.
After the treatment is complete, you may feel stinging or heat on the skin. This is completely normal, as your body will be reacting to the superficial injury created by the laser. Over the next seven to ten days, your skin will head leaving a pink, sun-burn like color. Over a few months, your skin will heal and the pinkness should fade away.
When used incorrectly, the Ultrapulse® CO2 laser can cause skin damage and even scarring. This makes it imperative to find a highly-trained provider who understands the Ultrapulse® CO2 technology and can administer treatment safely. To ensure patient safety, Palo Alto Dermatology Institute laser providers have some of the most extensive experience in the US with the Ultrapulse® CO2 laser, and have helped thousands of patients achieve dramatic improvements in skin appearance and texture.
To schedule your Ultrapulse® CO2 laser treatment consultation, please contact Palo Alto Dermatology Institute and request a consultation!
Conditions treated by Ultrapulse® CO2 Laser
- Acne Scars
- Age and Brown Spots
- Aging Eyelids
- Aging Face
- Birthmarks
- Heavy Wrinkle Reduction (Heavy Wrinkles)
- Sagging or Puffy Eyelids
- Skin Laxity
- Sun Damage
- Wrinkles
Disclaimer
Treatment results will vary, talk to a practitioner to see if this treatment or procedure is right for you.
