SmartSkin is a fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. Like other fractional laser skin resurfacing devices, it works by splitting the laser's light into tiny beams that are each about one-tenth the size of a hair shaft. The light penetrates the skin to a controlled depth, where its heat vaporizes the targeted cells, while leaving the tiny areas around each tiny beam of light untouched. Only about 20 to 30 percent of the targeted area is actually treated, yet the entire area benefits from the process and eventually becomes rejuvenated. And because less skin is actually damaged by the laser, the recovery time is generally shorter than with non-fractional CO2 lasers.
Treatments generally take about 20 minutes. You can opt for a single aggressive treatment session or several less-aggressive ones that are spaced over several weeks. After the procedure you'll feel — and look — as if you've had a sunburn.
The more aggressive the treatment, the more redness and swelling you'll experience — and the more time you'll need to recover. Most people feel comfortable returning to their normal activities within 4 days or so.
Last modified: November 21, 2009
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