Carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers have been used for many years to resurface skin. Typically, they are used to improve skin texture and tone, reduce wrinkles, remove sun damage and pigmentation, and to tighten skin on the face. They work by removing a fine layer of skin as well as heating the skin. This remodels the skin’s collagen, and this leads to significantly smoother, firmer, and more even toned skin. The Lumenis Encore Ultrapulse laser has become the gold standard in laser resurfacing technology because it uses fractional laser technology to effectively resurface skin with fewer risks and less downtime than with traditional carbon dioxide lasers.

Traditional CO2 lasers were introduced just over 20 years ago. These machines were commonly used at very high energy levels, and with significant risk and downtime, could achieve some dramatic results. The relatively recent introduction of fractional laser technology has revolutionised laser treatments. Fractional lasers fire small columns of laser into the skin, leaving intact skin in between to help healing and reduce risk and recovery periods. The Lumenis Ultrapulse is a fractional carbon dioxide laser, and has some significant advantages over traditional carbon dioxide lasers. The advantages of the Lumenis Ultrapulse laser are that treatments can be more accurately tailored to suit the skin type, skin problem, and total downtime allowed.

Full recovery takes from 4 to 14 days approximately depending on the level of energy used in the treatment (this can be tailored to your requirements). Areas other than the face usually take longer to heal, and usually only lower energy levels can be used for these areas. There is a period where the skin appears quite red. Usually this subsides within 1 week in lower energy level treatments, but may take up to one month to fade for more aggressive treatments. Swelling of the face/eyes may occur for a few days, and sleeping on a 45 degree angle or greater can help to reduce this. Generally the post-treatment recovery period will depend purely on the level of the treatment, and therefore we are able to tailor the recovery time to match the time you can afford to take off your normal activities.

Active Fx and Deep Fx are the names of the two hand pieces that can be utilized with the Lumenis Ultrapulse laser. The difference between the two hand pieces is primarily in the size and depth of the columns of laser fired. The Active Fx hand piece is used for the treatment of more superficial skin problems such as fine wrinkles, superficial sun damage, pigmentation, and skin sallowness. The Deep Fx hand piece is used for the treatment of deeper problems within the skin such as deep wrinkles, and acne (indented) scarring. The depth of penetration also induces significant skin tightening which is good for the treatment of the skin around the mouth and eyes. Total Fx is simply the sequential use of the Active and Deep Fx hand pieces on the same areas of skin in one session. By utilizing both hand pieces on one area, you can combine the benefits of both hand pieces and achieve results better than treating with one hand piece alone. The recovery period however is prolonged in comparison to treatment with a single hand piece.

We recommend those who are pregnant, breast-feeding, are prone to keloid scars, and those who have taken isotretinoin (Accutane, Roaccutane) in the past 6 months to avoid treatment. The laser can also be used on most skin types from fair to dark, however, darker skin types may not be able to be treated with as aggressive settings as the fairer skin types due to the increased chance of darker skin types to have pigmentary disturbances post-laser.