What is Cool Peel?
CoolPeel is a brand new way to safely, and comfortably deliver the benefits of a traditional CO2 resurfacing treatment. By targeting just the superficial layer of skin tissue, damaged skin is removed revealing younger and healthier looking skin.
What makes Cool Peel different?
CO2 lasers are the gold standard in treating wrinkles, age spots, acne scars, and other blemishes as well as tighten skin and balance tone. Damaged skin tissue is removed, or ablated, stimulating new collagen production and heat energy is delivered to tighten the skin. Sounds great but CO2 treatments are often accompanied by considerable downtime and risk while damaged skin heals.
Many advances have been made to improve the side effects of CO2 treatments but ONLY the CoolPeel can deliver a fractional ablative treatment without the downtime. There is minimal risk of hyperpigmentation, demarcation or induced infection.
How does the Cool Peel work?
A CoolPeel laser treatment can only be done using the SmartXide Tetra CO2 laser. The Tetra is the latest, most advanced CO2 laser from DEKA, a global leader in aesthetic technology. Only Tetra can control its output to deliver high energy in extremely short-pulses to deliver impressive superficial, skin resurfacing results without the lingering heat that would traditionally damage the surrounding skin. The lack of unnecessary heat is why we call it cool – get it? – and how you get an immediate aesthetic effect with minimal downtime.
Who is a candidate for Cool Peel ?
You are a good candidate for a CoolPeel laser treatment if you are looking to reduce the appearance of fine lines and sun damage, minimize pores, decrease acne scarring and improve skin texture. Your skin will look healthier and younger.
How long does a Cool Peel treatment take?
A full-face CoolPeel laser peel can take anywhere from 5-15 minutes.
What to expect with a Cool Peel treatment
At your initial consult, we will discuss your concerns and explain the benefits you can expect from CoolPeel treatments. If you are deemed a suitable CoolPeel candidate, “before” pictures will be taken so that the results of the treatment can be tracked. Before your CoolPeel appointment, you will need to minimize sun exposure. Our licensed aesthetic provider will also give you a list of medications that you must stop using before your Tetra CO2 laser appointments, such as retinol and salicylic/glycolic acids.
The CoolPeel treatment itself only takes 10-15 minutes. Our aesthetic provider will clean your skin and apply a topical anesthetic (numbing cream) for about 30 minutes. The laser will be applied to the treatment area. Afterward, you may experience slight redness and roughness of the skin. For the first day or two, your skin may have a pinkish tinge to it, like a minor sunburn. It may also feel dry and scaly as it heals. You can reduce these after effects by staying well-hydrated, using a cooling mist spray, and avoiding the sun as much as possible.
What is the recovery time?
One of the main benefits of a CoolPeel, is that there is minimal downtime. You should expect to be a little red, as if you have a sunburn, for a day, or two, but nothing should prevent you from returning to your normal daily activities. Your skin may feel dry and scaly as it heals so it is important to keep the skin hydrated.
Post Treatment Care
- Your skin will feel a warm / sunburn sensation for about an hour post treatment. Skin should feel rough like sandpaper for 3-4 days post treatment.
- Average duration of redness is expected to be about 24-48 hours for Cool Peel, but may be longer for Tetra treatments.
- A gentle cleanser may be used twice daily. We recommend applying Alastin Skin Nectar twice daily for optimal results. This is available for purchase in our office.
- A thin layer of emollient should be used on the treated area. Continue to keep the area hydrated with the emollient. Do not let the skin dry out. Alastin Soothe & Recovery Balm is available for purchase in our office.
- Avoid touching or cleaning the area for 24 hours. A gentle cleanser may be resumed on the morning after your treatment.
- Sleep with a clean pillow case and head slightly elevated.
- A cool misting spray or clean ice packs may be used for comfort, if needed.
- Avoid using makeup for at least 24-48 hours after a Cool Peel treatment. Tetra treatments may require 5-7 days without makeup.
- Avoid sun exposure, intense workouts and sweating until redness has completely resolved.
- CoolPeel should be repeated on a monthly basis until desired results are achieved.
- For more aggressive Tetra treatments:
- More ablative, aggressive CO2 treatments may result in blistering or “wound” type effects. This effect requires use of vinegar soaks.
- You may still continue gentle cleansing twice daily with cool water. Avoid aggressive abrasion of the skin and please do not peel skin.
- Vinegar soaks should be performed several times per day.
- Instructions for vinegar soaks: mix 1 tbsp vinegar with 1 cup of cool water. Apply a generous amount to a soft washcloth or gauze pad and pat the skin gently. You may rinse with cool water following application.
- Alastin nectar should be used twice daily after cleansing. Alastin soothe and recovery balm can be applied multiple times throughout the day to keep the treated area from drying.