For centuries humans have sought to curtail the effects of aging on our appearance. Most people desire to look younger. Modern skin resurfacing technology has brought forth safe, widely available, methods to achieve younger healthier looking skin at a fraction of the cost. The ability to accomplish these goals without the physical and financial pain of plastic surgery along with faster recovery times has contributed to the rising popularity and importance of skin resurfacing. Among the leading options in this arena are the Fraxel and CO2 laser treatments. Choosing between Fraxel vs CO2 lasers is a critical decision in skin resurfacing, which requires an understanding of the technology behind them, their ideal uses, their limitations, their respective recovery and downtimes along with their respective costs.
Exploring CO2 Lasers
CO2 laser treatment uses pulses of laser light, beams that penetrate the skin’s surface. Water in the skin cells absorbs the beams and the epidermis is vaporized. The dermis, the middle layer of the skin, heats up and stimulates collagen growth. During the healing process, new firm, smooth skin layers replace the old layers.
CO2 lasers work well for deeper skin concerns. They can employ a continuous wave mode reaching a depth of 400-500 μM. With the evolution of CO2 laser technology, the high-energy pulses allow for ablating tissue at a shallower depth between 20-100 μM. While it is an outpatient procedure, it can be intense, requiring a combination of sedatives and anesthetics to help with relaxation and pain prevention.
From cosmetic to medical skin concerns, there’s several ideal use cases for CO2 lasers. For starters, it works quite well for lessening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles including crow’s feet around the eyes, laugh lines around the mouth, and forehead wrinkles. It is also effective on saggy skin, including baggy or hooded eyes. While it is not the first choice among dermatologists, CO2 lasers may be used for warts that don’t respond to other treatments. Among its highest boasts is CO2 lasers’ ability to help prevent and treat skin cancer when used in pre-cancerous and early stages of skin cancer.
Although considered safe and effective, as with most procedures, there are risks involved in CO2 laser treatments. Common side effects are akin to those of a sunburn, including swelling, discoloration, dryness, itching, and peeling. The deeper, more extensive treatments may result in oozing and blistering. Potential complications include infection, scarring, skin burns and hyperpigmentation. Choosing a board-certified practitioner and following pre/post care instructions will help prevent unwanted side effects and complications.
Understanding Fraxel Lasers
Fraxel is a name brand of fractional laser treatments developed by Reliant Technologies. Fraxel is to fractional laser treatments as Coke is to soda – in the same way that people tend to use the term “Coke” to refer to Sprite, Dr. Pepper, or Pepsi (virtually any brand or flavor of soda), Fraxel has become so popular that people use the term to refer to any fractional laser treatment.
The term “fractional” is derived from the technology used; the laser beam is broken up into fractions, which target a percentage (25%-40%) of the skin’s surface, leaving the rest intact. The intact skin helps to support the healing process of the targeted areas. Using thousands of tiny laser beams, Fraxel lasers cause micro-injuries to the skin, which induces collagen and new skin cell production to replace the damaged cells.
The fractional laser technology provides a less invasive treatment than the CO2 laser, resulting in shorter downtimes and less discomfort, requiring only a topical anesthetic. A variety of skin issues can benefit from Fraxel, including sun damage, age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. The treatment range varies between Fraxel vs CO2; the CO2 treatments effectively treat a broader spectrum of issues than Fraxel.
Ideal candidates for Fraxel are those with fair skin as those with darker, more pigmented skin tones may be subject to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Additionally, those who are age 40 and older are likely to see the most benefits.
Comparing Fraxel vs CO2 Lasers
Both technologies, the Fraxel and CO2 lasers, are safe and effective. Both technologies are considered outpatient treatments with Fraxel laser treatments lasting as little as 20 minutes. Both treatments stimulate collagen production and yield firmer, healthier looking skin over time.
The fractional laser approach of Fraxel is suited for less invasive skin rejuvenation compared with the more intensive treatment offered by CO2 lasers for deeper skin concerns. While both can treat acne scarring, for example, the fractional laser’s effectiveness is limited to moderate acne scarring; the CO2 laser is better suited for severe pitted acne scarring. This, of course, means that the CO2 laser, while it has the ability to penetrate deeper, results in a more intense experience, higher risks, and longer recovery times.
With Fraxel there’s only one day of downtime and full recovery in six days. Conversely, CO2 laser treatment requires 1-2 weeks for full recovery. After 5-7 days the skin becomes dry and peels. The skin revealed after the peeling may appear pink or pale and could take up to a year to take on one’s natural skin tone.
There is a significant difference in treatment cost between Fraxel vs CO2. Fraxel laser treatment costs range from $250-$4,000 depending on variables including the size of the treatment area and the intensity of the treatment with the average cost for Fraxel being around $1,550. CO2 laser treatment is more expensive, averaging around $2,875 with costs up to $10,000.
Making the Decision: Fraxel vs CO2
When deciding between Fraxel and CO2, there’s many factors to consider. No business can continue to operate without clientele. Thus, client desires and requests are paramount when making such decisions – what do my clients want?
On the other hand, it’s your business in the end. You want to enjoy your practice and some treatments may be more enjoyable to administer than others. That may determine which device makes sense for your situation. Furthermore, some treatments have better results than others; you want to build a good reputation for delivering results, so it makes sense to offer the treatments that yield the best results.
Finally, there’s the bottom line. After considering the initial investment, cost of upkeep and maintenance, price and frequency of treatments, it must result in desirable profit margins – otherwise, it doesn’t make financial sense.
So Many Options – Partner with LR!
Whether deciding between Fraxel vs CO2 or any number of skin rejuvenating devices, there’s numerous options from which to choose. It’s essential to work with experts when selecting the right laser body sculpting machine for your practice. If you aren’t sure where to turn when it comes to finding a trustworthy, legitimate company to purchase a laser body sculpting machine from, look no further than Laser Resellers.
We guarantee that every laser you see on our website is in stock and ready to ship. Plus, when you invest in one of our lasers, you can be confident that the laser you order is the laser you’ll receive. We thoroughly inspect and maintain each laser before it’s shipped to ensure that it’s in perfect working condition. And, if you encounter any issues within 30 days of your purchase, we offer a no-hassle money-back guarantee.
Don’t wait any longer, Contact us here today to find the perfect laser body sculpting machine for your practice!