FRACTIONAL CO2 LASER TECHNOLOGY – EFFECTIVE SOLUTION FOR ACNE SCAR TREATMENT

Skin care before fractional CO2 laser treatment

• Avoid excessive sun exposure. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily for 4 weeks prior to treatment.
• Do not use photosensitizing medications such as doxycycline or minocycline for at least 3 days before treatment.
• If there is a history of herpes (oral or genital) or shingles in the treatment area, the Doctor may prescribe antiviral medication such as valacyclovir or acyclovir 2 days before treatment and continuing for 3 days after.
• To prevent dehydration, maintain a proper diet and hydration before undergoing laser treatment.

Skin care after fractional CO2 laser treatment

After fractional CO2 laser treatment, it usually takes about 5 to 10 days for the skin to fully recover. Immediately after the procedure, the patient receives cold air cooling, a mask, and red light therapy to soothe the skin; these steps reduce swelling and provide comfort to the patient.

Within the first 24 hours

• Avoid direct contact with tap water; use only physiological saline to wipe the face to limit infection risk.
• Apply moisturizing and recovery cream or serum 2 – 3 times/day.

From day 2 to day 5

• Keep the face clean, avoid activities causing excessive sweating, and avoid polluted or dusty areas without protection. Do not touch the face to avoid infection and negatively affecting the healing process.
• Wash face gently with physiological saline. Mild cleansers can be used. Note: do not use scrubs or products containing strong active ingredients like AHA, BHA.
• Use moisturizing and skin recovery cream containing growth factors at least twice daily.
• Strict sun avoidance is necessary during this time. When going out, use protective measures like wide-brimmed hats and dark masks. Apply sunscreen with high SPF (50, PA +++) 15–20 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 2–3 hours.
• During this stage, scabs will appear and peel off gradually. Allow scabs to peel naturally; absolutely do not scratch or pick to avoid skin damage and increased infection risk.

In the first 1 – 2 weeks after treatment: avoid swimming pools or beach trips to prevent direct exposure to strong sunlight, high chlorine levels, or high salt concentrations. Avoid hot baths, saunas, and facial massages. After 1 week, if the skin remains very red or itchy, visit a Dermatologist for examination and treatment.

TIME FOR SKIN IMPROVEMENT AFTER FRACTIONAL CO2 LASER

Typically, a client needs 3 – 6 treatment sessions to improve skin issues such as pitted scars, large pores, stretch marks, and wrinkles, depending on skin condition and treatment expectations. The interval between sessions is 3 – 6 weeks.

Choose a fractional CO2 laser system FDA-cleared and officially imported into Vietnam

FDA standards are regulations issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to monitor the safety of products under FDA management that have been, are being, and will be circulated in the US market. Laser devices approved by the FDA must comply with FDA regulations regarding ensuring stability and standardization of published parameters. Therefore, FDA-cleared laser systems always achieve higher quality & safety for users than other non-FDA recognized products.

Fractional CO2 laser machines circulating in the Vietnamese market need full licenses and documents according to Decree 169/2018/ND-CP of the Ministry of Health, including a letter of authorization to distribute equipment in Vietnam for the importer, Free Sale Certificate (FSC) in the host country, and Certificate of Quality (CQ) issued by the manufacturer.

To achieve optimal treatment results and prevent post-treatment complications, choosing a facility using an FDA-certified fractional CO2 laser system imported through official channels into Vietnam is essential.

Choose a treatment facility where Dermatologists examine and directly treat

Laser therapy in general and fractional CO2 laser specifically are specialized invasive methods, so according to dermatological medical regulations, this method must be performed by a Dermatologist with a laser certificate.

Before implementation, the Doctor will thoroughly examine the patient’s medical history to prescribe an appropriate treatment regimen. In necessary cases, the Doctor will guide on skincare and preparation before treatment to limit complications, side effects, and help the skin recover quickly.

During treatment, the Doctor will adjust the parameters of the fractional CO2 laser system including beam size, power, pulse energy, density, and number of passes; these parameters will change for each session to ensure the best efficacy and safety for each patient.

After implementation, the Doctor will guide on skincare to prevent unwanted side effects and unnecessary complications.