CO2 Laser With PRP Seattle, Bellevue, & Kirkland

No matter how good your skincare routine is or how healthy your lifestyle is, the skin does stop producing as much collagen as it did in your early twenties. This can mean that your skin loses elasticity, damage does not get naturally repaired, and fine lines and wrinkles appear. Skin damage and aging then become increasingly concerning as you get older. Thankfully, CO2 laser resurfacing is one of the best treatments for skin damage and the signs of aging. Adding platelet rich plasma to CO2 laser treatment improves results and can speed up healing. The best CO2 laser resurfacing with PRP Seattle and Tacoma offers is at PRP In Seattle.

Understanding PRP Therapy With CO2 Laser Resurfacing

CO2 laser resurfacing with PRP refers to applying platelet rich plasma to the face after the procedure. The platelet rich plasma is obtained from the patient’s blood and usually only applied topically. This is typically done while the patient is still sedated or under anesthesia.

Platelet rich plasma has many medical and cosmetic applications. Similar to CO2 laser resurfacing is PRP microneedling which uses the microscopic punctures microneedling creates to treat the deeper levels of the skin. CO2 laser skin resurfacing removes the upper layers of skin, so the PRP is applied directly to the lower levels of new and healing skin.

History Of PRP In Surgery

Platelet rich plasma began to be used in surgery in the 20th century. Initially used to treat patients who had low platelet counts, it also began to be used in maxillofacial surgery. It helped reduce inflammation and improve the healing process. Eventually, PRP became vital to sports medicine as it could speed and aid the healing and pain of soft tissue injuries.

Surgeons and medical professionals have continued to find new uses for PRP. It is still frequently used in various surgeries and sports medicine. However, it has now shown promise as a cosmetic tool to increase healing, promote hair growth, and rejuvenate the skin.

Benefits

The benefits of including PRP in your CO2 laser resurfacing surgery are immense. Some of the advantages and benefits include:

  • Promotes faster healing
  • Can improve results
  • May lessen inflammation
  • Stimulate collagen production and healing response
  • Improves skin texture
  • Treats sun damage, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation
  • Enhances skin tone
  • Little risk of scarring
  • Improves skin quality
  • Provides better results for acne scars than laser treatment alone
  • Treats acne scars 
  • Promotes longer lasting results
  • Shorter downtime on average

From Start To Finish: CO2 Laser Resurfacing With PRP

Consultation

Before undergoing CO2 laser resurfacing with PRP, you will meet with one of the plastic surgeons at PRP In Seattle. After getting an understanding of your concerns and the results you want, they will examine your skin. They will also inquire about your medical history and aspects of your lifestyle.

If they believe you are a candidate for CO2 laser resurfacing with PRP, they will describe the recommended treatment and areas. As a plastic surgery, CO2 laser resurfacing is usually not covered by insurance and is an elective procedure. From there, you will receive a finalized price quote and financing options.

Procedure & PRP

CO2 laser resurfacing can be performed under either local or general anesthesia. With both, you are given oral sedatives to remain perfectly comfortable. Once properly anesthetized, your surgeon will begin using the CO2 laser to remove the top layers of the skin. Since a CO2 laser is an ablative laser, it does leave the skin irritated and red.

Following the laser treatment, your surgeon will apply the PRP to the skin to help reduce the inflammation and speed up the healing process. It also can address concerns such as acne scars, sun damage, and an uneven skin tone better than CO2 laser resurfacing alone. Following this, you will begin to wake up from the procedure.

Recovery

Following the procedure, you will need to rest and take it easy. Many patients can be functional at home the day after surgery. However, you should not go back to work for about a week and exercise should be limited or stopped for at least two weeks. Some of the instructions may include:

  • Elevate the head of your bed
  • Apply ointments to your face as prescribed
  • Avoid sun exposure
  • Keep bandages on if necessary
  • Avoid rubbing or scratching the treated area
  • Alter your skin routine as recommended by your surgeon
  • Attend all post-operative appointments
  • Do not apply makeup for at least seven to ten days

Learn More About Platelet Rich Plasma

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is PRP?

Platelet rich plasma–also known as PRP–is a type of plasma extracted from human blood that is especially rich in platelets. Platelets help your blood clot at injury sites. Therefore, the presence of platelet rich plasma at a surgical site before the body has even begun to heal indicates the area that needs healed sooner.

It is a completely natural substance already found in your body. Therefore, there is little risk of allergic reaction or bodily rejection. PRP is regularly used during both medical and cosmetic surgical procedures to improve the healing process.

Can PRP Help With Both Ablative And Non-Ablative Laser Resurfacing?

Yes, PRP can benefit after non-ablative or less invasive laser procedures as well. While less commonly applied during these procedures, it certainly can provide some level of improvement in healing and results following either ablative or non-ablative resurfacing. Though, in a non-ablative procedure, the PRP will only address the surface of the skin.

Are There Any Downsides To Adding PRP To CO2 Laser Resurfacing?

For most people, there are few to no downsides to adding platelet rich plasma to CO2 laser resurfacing. However, if you have certain medical conditions such as hemophilia or other blood disorders, it is likely not recommended to undergo any type of PRP therapy. Though, the severity and treatment of the condition do matter when considering your candidacy for Seattle CO2 laser resurfacing with PRP. 

Do I Need More PRP Treatments After Recovery?

Not necessarily, though, depending on your specific treatment, your surgeon may recommend ongoing microneedling with PRP sessions once you have adequately healed. PRP microneedling can help treat aging and skin damage and upkeep the quality of the skin following CO2 laser resurfacing.

What Are The Side Effects?

CO2 laser resurfacing with PRP does come with some minor side effects. They will vary between patients and most side effects are not severe and go away on their own. Some of the possible side effects include:

  • Redness
  • Tenderness
  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Tightness
  • Sensation similar to a bad sunburn
  • Peeling

The Best PRP CO2 Laser Treatment In Seattle, Bellevue, & Kirkland

The plastic surgeons at PRP In Seattle specialize in facial rejuvenation using both surgical and non-surgical means. Dedicated to using cutting edge technology such as PRP, they customize each treatment to the patient and their needs. Our plastic surgeons routinely perform CO2 laser resurfacing with PRP in combination with facelifts and other surgeries. PRP In Seattle performs the best CO2 laser resurfacing with PRP Seattle, Bellevue, and Kirkland offers.

PRP In Seattle is a medical spa and surgical facility that specializes in the top cosmetic PRP procedures. Staffed by plastic surgeons, medical doctors, physician’s assistants, certified injectors, and master estheticians, PRP In Seattle aims to help patients reach all of their goals.

To learn more and schedule a consultation, call us at 206-279-2112. You can also reach out online using chat or online form.