With a bizarre winter that gave us everything from Arctic surges to record heat, the weather outside was definitely frightful. In fact, the first week of January 2018 was the coldest week on record for places across the country – even those that traditionally get pretty cold in January – including New York City; Baltimore; Charleston, South Carolina; Tallahassee, Florida; and, yes, even right here in Detroit, which hit a bone-chilling 6.4 degrees!

With all this cold weather, and the dramatic fluctuations between single-digit and spring-like temperatures in some areas, it’s no wonder that our spirits – and our skin – are feeling a little less than their best.

The great news is we don’t have to look in the mirror and feel like our skin just came back from a hike up Mount Everest. There are plenty of minimally invasive treatments you can do to help get your skin feeling as fresh and new as a spring chick! One treatment in particular, the Equinox fractional CO2 laser, has myriad benefits, whether you’ve had a rough winter or not.

How It Works

The word laser literally means “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.” The Equinox fractional CO2 laser uses energy to rev up the molecules of CO2 gas, creating a laser beam. This is what we call an “ablative laser,” because as it contacts the skin, it heats the skin and creates a controlled burn of the top layers.

What Does It Do?

When these layers are shed, younger, more supple layers of skin are revealed. The Equinox fractional CO2 laser treatment can help address everything from wrinkles to acne scars, fine lines, skin sagging and discoloration, and it can even improve the tightness of your skin.

How Long Does It Take?

The Equinox fractional CO2 treatment is done right here in Dr. Chau’s office, and can be done in one visit. Downtime for an Equinox fractional CO2 laser treatment is typically about two to three days, but it may take up to a week to recover depending on the individual and the extent of the procedure.

What’s the Recovery Like?

Recovery from the Equinox fractional CO2 laser treatment varies by patient. Some patients can return to work within a few days and wear makeup to cover any residual redness, while others may require more time before they are ready to apply cosmetics. Healing generally ranges from mild redness to more severe redness and peeling. There may also be some swelling and discomfort, but most patients are able to find relief with over-the-counter pain medication.

What Kind of Results Can I Expect?

Once you have healed from your Equinox fractional CO2 laser treatment, you can expect some mild, residual redness for up to six months. However, the results of your treatment last much longer. You can expect the benefits of the treatment to last several years following treatment, especially if you take excellent care of your skin by wearing a UVA/UVB sunscreen daily and not smoking.

If you’re ready for a fresh new spring look for your skin and would like to learn more about the Equinox fractional CO2 and what it can do for your skin, give Dr. Chau’s office a call at 888-966-9471 and schedule a consultation!