When advanced signs of aging begin to show in our late 40s and early 50s—and become more pronounced in our 60s and 70s—we turn to more aggressive treatments such as CO2 medical laser skin resurfacing at our Guelph, Ontario dermatology practice. This is often the most effective approach for treating lax skin with rough texture, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and sun damage.
Women and men choose deRMA Skin Institute because we use a comprehensive approach called the 5 Dimension Skin Plan™. Developed by our lead cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Dusan Sajic, the 5 Dimension Skin Plan addresses the range of issues responsible for aging’s effects on your appearance.
See For Yourself
Case #6
This patient had combination CO2 and Erbium Yag Performed by Dr. Sajic to achieve these INCREDIBLE results!
As fall creeps around the corner, so do does those stubborn senescent sunspots! Recent studies have shown that senescent cells accele… Read More
Case #79
Procedure(s): BOTOX®, Dermal Fillers, Radiesse®, eCO2™ Laser Skin Resurfacing, Dilute Radiesse®
Case #4
CO2 LASEROur patient here did not like the look of his skin and came to us asking optimize it. While skin with this much sun damage typically needs co2 laser, given that he had underlying rosacea, there was concern with using typical and tradit… Read More
Case #27
Co2 Laser Treatment by Dr. SajicAdvanced signs of aging begin to show in our late 40s, early 50s and intend to get worse in our 60s & 70s.
We have to consider aggressive strategies to correct the damaging effects and restore yo… Read More
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Derma Skin Institute is a medical and cosmetic dermatology practice in Guelph and Burlington that serves the Southern and Southwestern Ontario areas. Dr. Dusan Sajic, Dr. Richard Backstein, Dr. Daniel Wong, and Dr. Tiffany Chen are certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Dr. Sajic performs a range of anti-aging skincare treatments which include, but are not limited to laser skin tightening, CO2 skin resurfacing, AccuTite, Dysport, Botox, Radiesse, Sculptra, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment. Derma Skin Institute also offers radiofrequency microneedling and lasers to target concerns such as acne scarring, rosacea, sun damage, among other procedures. Women and men seeking dermatology treatments from the GTA to London and surrounding area choose deRMA Skin Institute.
What Is ECO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing?
Fractional CO2 medical laser skin resurfacing is the gold standard when it comes to nonsurgical skin rejuvenation treatments. Even though there have been numerous skin rejuvenation treatment advances, CO2 laser procedures remain the single most effective nonsurgical treatment for safely treating:
- Deep Wrinkles
- Acne, chickenpox, or other scars
- Damage caused by sun exposure, pollution, and aging
We routinely recommend including a fractional CO2 laser procedure as part of a customized treatment plan for patients with advanced signs of skin damage and aging.
Guelph Dermatologist Dr. Dusan Sajic shares his CO2 laser treatment results
How Does A CO2 Laser Work?
Researchers developed the CO2 laser in the 1980s to treat damaged and aging skin using targeted beams of laser energy to remove the outer layer of skin. Fresh, youthful-looking skin replaced the damaged skin as the healing process produced new collagen, which tightens, thickens, and volumizes skin over time.
Because these treatments were fully ablative—removing the entire surface of the skin—they were painful, required relatively long downtimes, and posed more risk of adverse side effects such as prolonged redness and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (skin discolouration).
Modern CO2 lasers, however, use fractional technology. Just like a showerhead will split a single flow of water into multiple small streams, fractional lasers create a similar effect, targeting laser energy to pinpoint columns while leaving the surrounding skin untouched. We customize the depth and density of the treatment, and patients can recover much more quickly with less discomfort than with ablative laser skin resurfacing.
What’s Different About ECO2 Laser Treatments?
The eCO2 laser technology used at deRMA Skin Institute is safer than other fractional CO2 lasers. It penetrates the skin with small micro-laser beams, producing smaller injuries called microscopic ablative columns (MACs). The laser’s proprietary technology minimizes the thermal bystander effect, which greatly reduces the chance of adverse post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Your skin recovers quickly with less downtime and less risk of adverse effects.
In contrast to other CO2 lasers, Lutronic’s eCO2 uses Controlled Chaos Technology (CCT) to radiate multiple microscopic laser beams that fire in a controlled irregular pattern, helping to avoid focused heat and linear demarcation along non-lasered areas. This technological advance of CCT allows for faster healing, speedier recovery, and results that look more natural.
Furthermore, your physician precisely controls the laser beam’s penetration depth with numerous parameters that can be adjusted during treatment based on your needs and goals. In this way, we can tailor laser resurfacing treatments to be light, intermediate, or deep, depending on the patient’s needs.
Who Should You Choose For CO2 Laser Resurfacing?
The person using the technology is just as important as the treatment itself. That’s true of all aesthetic procedures. In the hands of a highly trained, knowledgeable professional, CO2 laser resurfacing is a safe way to dramatically improve your skin’s appearance. In the hands of a poorly trained individual, lasers can be ineffective or even dangerous. That’s why patients considering CO2 laser treatments shouldn’t base their decisions solely on a brand name laser or the best deal. Fixing poorly done results can be much more costly, including the potential of irreversible skin damage.
What is your best bet? Choose a dermatologist or plastic surgeon who has the proper qualifications and is board certified. Board certification means that your dermatologist has undergone a rigorous residency (specialty training after medical school) that includes nonsurgical treatments such as laser skin resurfacing.
What Skin Concerns Do ECO2 Lasers Treat?
As leaders in non-invasive and nonsurgical anti-aging treatments, we’ve developed protocols to target many of your concerns with the eCO2.
Full-face treatments typically take about 20 to 45 minutes with minimal downtime when compared to traditional CO2 laser resurfacing. We use eCO2 laser skin resurfacing to:
- Minimize fine lines and deep wrinkles
- Tighten skin on face and neck
- Reduce the appearance of scars
- Improve skin tone around eyelids jowls and neck
- Repair sun-damaged skin and rough texture in the face, chest, and hands
Dr. Sajic or another provider discusses your specific concerns and creates a customized treatment plan at your initial consultation.
How Should I Prepare For The ECO2 Treatment?
Given that CO2 laser treatments involve some risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation—especially in patients of darker skin colour—we may recommend that you pre-treat your skin with products such as hydroquinone, arbutin, and vitamin C that address pigmentation.
To prepare for your eCO2 treatment, we will advise you to:
- Stop smoking for a few weeks
- Avoid certain medications for a few weeks (blood thinners, retinol among others)
- Not drink alcohol for at least a week
- Discuss any and all concerns with your doctor
- Avoid the sun for at least 2 weeks (and continue protecting your skin with proper skin care and sun block after the treatment)
- Be prepared to follow post-laser treatment instructions very diligently
As some patients are very sensitive to pain, we may need to administer pain medication that could make you drowsy after the procedure. If you know you are very sensitive, we recommend that you arrange for someone else to drive you to the clinic.
During your consultation, our team will give you detailed instructions on how to prepare for your procedure. Sticking to those guidelines will help to ensure your safety and the success of your treatment.
What Happens During Your ECO2 Treatment?
About 30 to 45 minutes before beginning the procedure, we’ll apply a topical anesthetic cream to numb the treatment area. If you have a low tolerance for pain, you may also request an injection of a local anesthetic, prescription pain medication, or Penthrox, a type of “laughing gas,” to help you remain comfortable during the treatment. Our goal is to make you as comfortable as possible. Some anesthesia may require you to arrange for a friend or relative to drive you home.
We provide you with protective eyewear before starting the treatment. During the procedure, you can expect to feel warmth or a snapping sensation as the laser energy contacts the treatment area. The procedure may involve one or more passes, depending on your needs.
After completing the treatment, we’ll apply healing lotion and sunscreen to your face. We provide written post-care instructions that should be closely followed. Make sure to tell your doctor if you have cold sores, as we will need to give you medication to prevent an outbreak while you are healing.
What Is Recovery Like After An ECO2 Laser Treatment?
The nature of your recovery depends on the depth and intensity of the treatment. Light CO2 laser treatments generally have minimal downtime, and most patients experience slight redness and peeling that lasts for 2 to 5 days. You can return to work immediately after light CO2 treatments.
More aggressive laser skin resurfacing produces significant redness, skin crusting, and in some cases, swelling during the first 2 to 5 days. Pain is typically mild to moderate and can be managed with over-the-counter medication. Patients rarely need prescription pain relief. Most laser skin resurfacing patients can return to their normal activities within 7 days of aggressive CO2 treatments. Adding platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to your treatment—whether a light, medium, or deep procedure—helps speed up recovery by 24 to 48 hours and enhances the benefits of the treatment.
When Will I See Laser Skin Resurfacing Results?
You should notice results immediately after the recovery process, which is usually 1 to 2 weeks. Results continue to improve as the skin heals for up to 6 months. You’ll notice your skin becoming tighter and more plump and supple.
Can I Combine The ECO2 With Other Treatments?
Absolutely. CO2 laser treatment can be an essential component of our patented 5 Dimension Skin Plan (available only at deRMA Skin Institute). We strongly believe that combining treatments—whether at the same time or more gradually at separate visits—will provide the full benefit of looking the most refreshed and most natural.
The most common treatments we combine with laser skin resurfacing include AccuTite™, injections of dermal fillers such as JUVÉDERM®, Restylane®, or Radiesse®, and radiofrequency microneedling. You can discuss your options for combination treatments at your consultation.
Schedule A Consultation
Women and men interested in eCO2 medical laser skin resurfacing in Guelph, Kitchener, Cambridge, and surrounding areas in Southwestern Ontario choose deRMA Skin Institute for their treatments. Request a consultation using the online form or call us at (888) 803-3762 to schedule an appointment with one of our dermatologists.
Dusan Sajic, MD, PhD
Richard Backstein, MD
Sonja Sajic, CCPA
With more than 20 years of experience, deRMA Skin Institute strive to offer patients the most advanced treatments available to keep their skin healthy and looking its best. Board Certified Dermatologist, Dusan Sajic, MD, PhD, board-certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Richard Backstein, MD, FRCSC, and Sonja Sajic, CCPA are committed to providing state-of-the-art medical, surgical and cosmetic treatments to all patients in Guelp, Burlington, Cambridge, Kitchener, Hamilton, Milton, and surrounding areas.