CO2 Laser for Skin Tumor Surgery
CO2 Laser It is a specific laser used for treating skin tumors and lesions. It can be used for both surgical removal (Laser Excision) and skin resurfacing (Laser Vaporization or ablation). The light energy is absorbed by water molecules, which are commonly found in tissues, allowing it to cut or destroy almost any type of tissue. Before the laser treatment, patients should clean the treatment area, apply a topical anesthetic, cover it with a film, and wait approximately 45 – 60 minutes for the anesthetic to take effect.
Skin conditions that can be treated with a Carbon Dioxide Laser (CO2 Laser)
It can be used to treat almost all types of benign and malignant skin tumors, such as:
1. Skin tags, moles, seborrheic keratosis, and beauty marks
2. Syringoma
3. Sebaceous cysts
4. Bloodless skin surgery
Post-Treatment Wound Care
After the treatment, there will be a wound from the laser. You may experience pain, swelling, slight bleeding, or a burning sensation in the treated area. The wound typically takes about 1-2 weeks to heal.
After laser treatment
1. Keep the wound dry and avoid contact with water for at least 24 hours.
2. After 24 hours, clean the wound with clean water or normal saline. Gently wipe the wound using a cotton swab soaked in the solution 1-2 times a day, and carefully pat it dry.
3. Apply an antibiotic ointment or cream over the laser-treated area to keep the wound moisturized daily until it is completely dry.
When the wound starts to scab
- Do not pick at the wound or scabs under any circumstances. Clean the wound with clean water or normal saline solution. If there is heavy scabbing, soak a gauze pad with the solution, place it over the wound for 5 minutes, and then remove it. Gently wipe the area again with a cotton swab soaked in wound cleanser, followed by applying an antibiotic ointment at least twice a day and every time the wound gets wet, until it is completely healed.
- There is no need to cover the wound unless it is in an area prone to friction or rubbing.
- If you suspect an infection—such as experiencing pain, swelling, redness, heat, or pus—please consult a doctor as soon as possible.
- Avoid applying cosmetics or other types of creams to the wound until the scabs have completely fallen off and the area is fully healed.
Once the wound is fully healed
- Try to avoid sun exposure as much as possible starting from the day of the treatment. Once the wound is dry, begin applying sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher to the laser-treated area daily for at least 8-12 weeks.
- If the laser-treated area becomes darker than before, please consult your doctor promptly.
