How to Choose the Right Skin Resurfacing Treatment

Finding the right skin resurfacing treatment can feel a lot like finding “the one” these days. Swiping through pages and pages of information, you may have plenty of options but how do we know which one is “the right one?” Consider this pro and con guide your matchmaker for the most popular skin resurfacing treatments.

CO₂ Lasers

CO₂ laser treatments remove the surface layer of the skin, similar to chemical peels or dermabrasion, but using vaporization instead.

Pros of CO₂ lasers:

• Very effective for treatment of acne and acne scars
• Some CO₂ laser treatments can be combined with aesthetic facial surgery for enhanced results

Cons of CO₂ lasers:

• Seven to 14 days of downtime is common, but redness can last for weeks for some patients
• Skin thickness and texture can affect results
• Treatments are expensive, being $3,000 or more per session
• Schedule up to an hour per treatment

Microneedling

Microneedling works to promote the skin’s natural healing by creating miniature puncture wounds in the skin using tiny, fine needles.

Pros of Microneedling:

• Affordable at an average of $200–$500 per treatment
• Approximately only 48 hours of downtime on average

Cons of Microneedling:

• Deeper microneedling can cause scarring in darker skin tones
• Treatments can take up to an hour each, with four to eight treatments required on average
• It can take up to a year to see results

NanoFractional RF™

NanoFractional radio frequency treatments use tiny pins to deliver heat through the skin’s surface. This creates small micro-dermal wounds, which the body works to heal naturally, repairing signs of surface skin damage in the process.

Pros of NanoFractional RF™:

• Patients can wear makeup and resume their regular skin care routine as soon as 24 hours after
• It’s safe for all skin tones, even darker complexions
• Covers a large surface area and can target multiple concerns in the same session
• Treatments last no longer than 30 minutes
• Cost per treatment is reasonable (although it may vary by treatment area)

Cons of NanoFractional RF™:

• Mild redness post-treatment is common
• Number of sessions in a treatment program will depend on the individual patient but typically varies between three and four sessions, every four to six weeks

When weighing options to determine the right treatment, consider cost, desired results, downtime, and time constraints. While some patients may opt for more invasive treatments, NanoFractional RF™ treatments may be the best to start, with a reasonable price tag, minimal time commitment, and visible results sooner.

To learn more about NanoFrational RF™ treatments, contact a certified treatment provider near you using the search field below.