Carbon Laser Facial Treatment: What to Expect   - Synergy Wellness (2024)

Your complexion is often the first thing others notice about you and one of the first things you see when looking in the mirror. Age, sun exposure and genetics all play important roles in the appearance and health of your skin. Unfortunately, daily life may lead to clogged pores, excess sun exposure and other signs of damage. A carbon laser facial treatment can improve the signs of aging and restore your complexion.

What Is a Carbon Laser Facial?

A carbon laser facial, also known as a laser carbon peel or carbon peel laser, is an innovative facial treatment that can improve the appearance of damaged, aging skin. A carbon peel laser treatment can help you achieve a more youthful-looking complexion and appearance. During carbon laser skin resurfacing, a layer of liquid carbon will be applied to the body and face’s skin.

As the liquid carbon dries during carbon dioxide laser resurfacing, it penetrates the pores and bonds with various dead skin cells, oil and other forms of debris. The next step of carbon laser skin resurfacing involves a laser passing over the skin’s surface to heat the pores. This laser transfers light energy into the carbon particles, resulting in a reaction within the skin.

As the skin begins to warm, it encourages the production of collagen and elastin. The activated carbon during a laser facial can help remove dead, damaged skin cells as well as built-up oil and dirt. In addition to encouraging the production of elastin and collagen, carbon laser facials cause little to no discomfort, as they’re safe and gentle on almost all skin types.

How Does the Carbon Laser Facial Treatment Work?

A carbon laser peel is a two-stage process. The first stage is when the carbon lotion is applied to the skin of the treatment area. After the lotion is applied, a 1060 nanometer wavelength laser creates a controlled thermal output across the skin to stimulatethe skin’s natural healing process. This two-step process promotes the production of elastin, collagen and fibroblast to rejuvenate and target wrinkles, fine lines and more.

The thermal output from a carbon laser treatment can help patients with enlarged or unsightly pores contract their pores. Additionally, a carbon laser facial can also target acne, traveling through the acne’s membrane to neutralize it. A carbon laser treatment can reduce acne inflammation and improve the appearance of acne.

The final part of the carbon laser facial treatment involves removing the carbon lotion using a short-pulse laser. A short-pulse laser breaks up the carbon into smaller particles and absorb them. When the laser removes the carbon lotion, it also removes the debris and impurities bound to the carbon, providing a deep exfoliating treatment.

Following a carbon laser facial treatment, the skin is brighter, smoother and more even, with long-lasting, natural-looking results. While treatment time varies from patient to patient and the size of the treatment area, most treatments typically only last for approximately 30 minutes. After a laser treatment, the skin will be softer and brighter instantly.

Are Laser Carbon Peels Effective?

Laser carbon peels are an effective treatment that can even out the skin’s texture and tone for a younger and firmer-looking appearance. As we age, our skin often shows many signs of aging, such as sun damage, wrinkles and more. Many of us also experience acne, blackheads and whiteheads, which can make you feel self-conscious.

With age, many people look for a unique facial treatment that can enhance their complexion and improve the appearance of their skin for a healthier and younger-looking appearance. Laser carbon peels use innovative laser technology to achieve a glowing complex and improve various signs of aging. Popular benefits of a laser carbon peel include:

Carbon Laser Peel vs. Chemical Peels

A carbon laser peel and a chemical peel are both innovative facial treatments that can achieve similar results for a glowing, radiant complexion. The main difference between these two treatments is how you achieve these results. A carbon laser peel can help rejuvenate skin through heat generated from the laser treatment. On the other hand, a chemical peel improves the appearance of the skin through a chemical reaction.

While both treatments are effective, people with sensitive skin should typically undergo a carbon laser facial, as this procedure is gentler on the skin than a chemical peel. Laser carbon facials are also ideal for patients who may have eczema or other underlying skin conditions. Additionally, a laser carbon peel does not require downtime, as chemical peels typically need.

What Is a Chemical Peel?

A chemical peel, also known as a facial peel, is a facial rejuvenation treatment that uses a chemical solution to remove the damaged top layers of skin. Following a chemical peel, the skin grows back smoother and healthier. There are three depths of chemical peels, including light, medium and deep chemical peels.

A deep chemical peel offers the most noticeable results but typically requires a longer period of downtime. In some cases, patients undergoing a light or medium chemical peel may require multiple treatments to achieve the desired results. Chemical peels are an innovative treatment that can improve the appearance of wrinkles, acne, scarring, discoloration and more.

How to Prep Before a Carbon Laser Facial

Before a carbon laser facial, you’ll have an initial consultation to discuss various aspects of your treatment and determine realistic expectations and possible results. During your consultation, your physician will also inform you of any potential risks and how to prepare for your procedure. If you have sensitive skin or underlying dermatological conditions, you’ll want to inform your physician of these.

Once you’ve scheduled your treatment, your physician will provide you with detailed instructions on what to expect and how to prepare for your next visit. It’s generally recommended that you avoid tanning or activities that may lead to excess sun exposure. As always, even if you’re in the sun for a short amount of time, you should wear sunscreen to protect your skin.

In the three days leading up to your laser carbon peel, you’ll need to avoid any medication that may increase your photosensitivity to lower the risk of damage to your skin from the lasers. While your physician will help you determine if you need to stop taking a medication, the most common medications to avoid before a carbon laser facial include methotrexate, acne medications, antibiotics and tricyclic antidepressants.

What to Expect During a Carbon Facial Procedure

A carbon laser facial treatment is a multi-step procedure that takes approximately 30 minutes to perform. It’s sometimes referred to as a lunchtime facial or peel due to its short length. To start, your physician will apply a layer of liquid carbon to the face. This liquid carbon will bind to dirt, oil and dead skin cells deeper within your skin and pores. It will take about 10 minutes for this liquid to dry.

Once the carbon has dried, your physician will provide you with goggles to shield your eyes from the laser. A laser, typically in a low-energy setting, will pass over the treatment area to heat the carbon to bind it to the skin. The laser’s heat can improve various aspects of your complexion and boost your skin’s natural production of elastin and collagen.

Next, a smoke evaporator with the laser removes the carbon and the impurities attached to it. Following this step, your physician will apply a hydrating moisturizer to your skin. After treatment, you’ll notice brighter, healthier and smoother skin immediately. If you have sensitive skin, you may experience slightly inflamed or irritated skin, which typically only lasts for one hour or less.

Carbon Laser Peel Side Effects

A carbon laser peel is a painless facial treatment that requires little to no recovery or downtime. Because a carbon laser peel is a virtually painless procedure, it’s often recommended for patients who have sensitive skin or underlying dermatological conditions. Another benefit of a carbon laser peel is that it causes little to no side effects.

In most cases, patients may only experience a tingling sensation, slight inflammation or skin irritation. These symptoms quickly fade within one hour after treatment. Other than these mild symptoms, patients should experience little to no side effects following treatment. When an expert performs a laser carbon peel, even these minor symptoms are less likely to occur.

Your physician will also provide you with any post-treatment instructions to ensure your skin remains healthy and glowing. In most cases, gently moisturizing the facial skin after treatment can ensure your complexion remains bright and healthy. Patients often notice their skin continues to improve over time due to the increased production of elastin and collagen.

Carbon Facial Post-Care

Following a carbon facial treatment, you should avoid direct sunlight for at least 12 to 24 hours. You’ll also want to wash your face two to three times a day using a gentle facial cleanser. It is important to keep your face clean, as well as your bedding and pillows. Your physician may recommend a salicylic acid-based product or a benzoyl peroxide product.

You should avoid harsh facial scrubs or exfoliants in the days after your treatment, as these can easily irritate the skin. Depending on the medication you take regularly, you may need to temporarily stop certain medications, including oral acne medicine. Use sunscreen whenever you go outside and establish a facial washing routine with a gentle oil-free cleanser.

Any redness from a carbon laser facial will improve within one to two hours after treatment, leaving behind a smooth, bright complexion. Additionally, patients will notice improvement of acne scars and enlarged pores.

While a carbon laser peel is an effective treatment, most physicians recommend multiple treatments to achieve the desired results. Some patients may achieve their goals with one treatment, and others might need two to three carbon peel laser treatments. Carbon laser facials should be spaced out at least two weeks apart from one another. Your physician can help you determine how many treatments you may need and how much you should space them out.

Is a Carbon Laser Peel Right for You?

A carbon laser peel may be right for you if you’re looking to improve the appearance of wrinkles, creases and fine lines. Additionally, people with enlarged pores, oily skin, facial scarring and acne-prone skin may also be ideal candidates for a carbon laser peel. To determine if carbon laser skin resurfacing is right for you, you’ll want to schedule a consultation with a dermatologist. A carbon laser facial can also be an ideal treatment for various skin lesions, imperfections and hyperpigmentation.

While many people are ideal candidates, certain conditions may make you ineligible to receive a carbon laser facial. It is important to schedule an initial conversation with a trained professional who can help determine if carbon dioxide laser resurfacing is right for you. If you’re pregnant, have a history of cold sores or have very dry or sensitive skin, a carbon laser facial may not be right for you.

Certain pre-existing conditions may make you ineligible for carbon peel laser treatments. However, once you treat certain conditions, you may be eligible for carbon layer facials. For example, patients with active skin infections or open skin wounds may qualify to receive a carbon peel laser treatment once this infection or wound has healed properly.

Medical Aesthetics at Synergy Wellness