Computer controlled and precise, this laser treatment removes unwanted lesions without causing thermal damage to the surrounding skin. It is ideal in vaporizing warts, moles, syringomas and other skin lesions. The Carbon Dioxide Laser is also utilized in our Laser Eye bag Removal and Eyelift. What is the CO2 Laser? The CO2 laser is a versatile and effective tool for the treatment of warts and various epidermal and dermal lesions.

• It is a high-precision light scalpel used for incising and excising tissues and sealing of small blood vessels. (click on Blepharoplasty: Laser Eyebag Removal/Eyelift)

What are Warts?

Warts are benign skin tumors caused by human papilloma viruses. The virus is transmitted by direct contact, but susceptibility varies from person to person, related to differences in the immune system. Warts are most common in children and young adults. In many cases warts will resolve spontaneously without leaving a mark or scar, usually within a year of onset. Persistent warts can be removed by different methods, including scraping, freezing, electrocauterization, and CO2 laser. Laser removal is the most precise method and may be associated with a lower recurrence rate than other methods.

What are Syringomas?

Syringomas are benign tumors of eccrine origin (cells that are related to sweat glands) most commonly found around the eyes. Syringomas more frequently affect women. Some syringomas are hereditary but their cause is not really understood. Therefore, they cannot be prevented. Previously reported treatments for syringomas include excision, electrodesiccation and curettage, dermabrasion, and carbon dioxide (CO2) laser resurfacing. The ideal treatment of syringomas should be destruction of the tumor with minimal scarring and no recurrence. The CO2 laser is a dependable, safe and scar-free method for treating periorbital syringomas. However, it does not get rid of the fact that syringomas are recurrent lesions.

What are Moles?

Moles or nevi (singular: nevus) are the most common growths in humans. They can be present at birth or acquired throughout lifetime. Moles can appear anywhere on the skin in various sizes and shapes. They are made up of melanocytes, skin cells that produce melanin (dark pigment). Laser treatment for moles gives great cosmetic results. The laser for mole removal pulses hundreds of times per second. This pulsing action prevents heat damage to the skin and minimizes the risk of scarring.

How Does a CO2 Laser Work?

Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

• Medical lasers are named after the material which is "pumped" with energy and made to lase. The CO2 laser uses carbon dioxide gas as a lasing material or ''medium".

• Effects of lasers on tissue depend on the wavelength (color) of the particular laser and how the energy is delivered. The CO2 laser is strongly absorbed by water and delivers heat energy to the surface of any water bearing tissue such as the skin in a tightly focused beam. The beam of light vaporizes the water. This beam of light can cut, seal or vaporize tissue with precision, by minimizing adverse effects to surrounding tissue.

• Most medical lasers work by delivering light energy which is converted to heat energy in the target tissue. What makes lasers special is how the energy is delivered. The length of time the laser light is on the target greatly influences its effects. By adjusting the duration of the laser pulse, different effects on tissue can be controlled. The CO2 laser can be focused very tightly and used in continuous mode as a "laser scalpel" to cut tissue or defocused and used to vaporize a larger area or delivered through a scanning device to remove a predetermined thickness of skin for wrinkle removal. The length of the laser pulse is as important as the wavelength or the power setting in determining its medical use.

What are the benefits of CO2 Laser Treatment?

• Less Pain - Patients feels less pain after laser surgery than with traditional surgery because laser surgery seals the nerve endings as it "cuts".

• Less Bleeding - Since the laser seals small blood vessels during surgery, it can reduce the amount of time required for surgery and anesthesia, reducing the risk of complications.

• Less Swelling - Since the only thing that touches patients is the laser, there is less swelling.

• Precision - The laser can precisely remove the unwanted lesion without being as invasive to surrounding healthy tissue.

• Quicker Recovery - Because patients have less pain, bleeding and swelling with laser surgery, this leads to a faster recovery rate than with traditional surgery. Full activity can be resumed immediately.

Is it safe?

• Lasers have been successfully used on humans for over 30 years because it has few side effects compared to that of traditional surgery. The risk of complications with laser surgery is less.

• The good thing about this laser is that there is hardly any downtime and scarring is rare.

• The procedure takes between 15 to 30 minutes depending on the problem and areas involved. The areas that have been treated will appear red, irritated and moist for the first few days. This is normal. Swelling will eventually subside. Laser cream is prescribed twice a day for 5-7 days to hasten the healing of treated lesions.

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