What is the Tetra CO2 Laser?
Fractional lasers have advanced the art of cosmetic skin rejuvenation by leaps and bounds! Imagine having one system designed for numerous procedures that require excision, incision, ablation, coagulation, and resurfacing of soft tissue. It’s here. With the Deka Tetra CO2, you can precisely target and efficiently treat the skin with control. We are pleased to offer patients, through the use of our Deka Tetra CO2, the opportunity to restore the youthful appearance of their skin.
The Tetra is a CO2 laser that offers fully customizable skin resurfacing treatments that eliminate signs of aging like wrinkles, sun spots, uneven texture, and age spots for dramatically smoother, brighter, and younger-looking skin. Tailored to your unique needs, Tetra CO2 laser skin resurfacing works with your lifestyle for the radiant results you want, but without the downtime you don’t. The Tetra laser from Cartessa is versatile, with several settings to meet particular needs. This laser enhances the overall regenerative effects in collagen- and elastin-producing cells.
What Issues Can the Tetra CO2 Laser Address?
Fractional laser treatments stimulate rejuvenation at a cellular level. As such, the Tetra CO2 laser can help treat numerous concerns all at once. Some of the concerns this treatment can address include:
- Fine lines to deep wrinkles
- Uneven pigmentation & redness
- Age spots
- Acne scars
- Sun damage
- Dullness/texture
- Dark undereye-circles
- Lax skin
The Tetra CO2 can be performed on the face, neck, and chest.
Benefits of Tetra CO2 Laser?
The Tetra CO2 laser system provides different treatment modes within its one platform, giving us the ability to treat both superficial and deep skin layers simultaneously with precision control over the intensity, pattern, and depth of ablation with a single platform.
Being a fractional resurfacing technique, the Tetra CO2 laser achieves dramatic results without completely vaporizing the entire upper surface of the skin. Patients appreciate that they can dramatically improve the appearance of their skin with just one treatment. Behind the scenes, the effects of this laser treatment continue to stimulate tissue regeneration for several months. This means the skin looks even smoother, brighter, and tighter months after treatment.
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How Do I know If Tetra Treatments Are Right For Me?
Fractional laser resurfacing using the Tetra CO2 platform provides outstanding results for adults of all ages. Most patients who seek this treatment are aged 30 or older and are concerned about the signs of aging and sun damage.
Due to the nature of laser resurfacing, Tetra may not be recommended for skin of color. This is because the natural healing response after treatment in darker-skinned individuals includes hyperpigmentation, which could result in lasting, mottled skin coloring. Laser treatments are also not recommended for pregnant women or those who have recently completed a course of Accutane treatment for acne. Talk with your provider about your desired outcome from cosmetic treatment and how your personal health history may affect your goals. We are committed to identifying the most advantageous treatment for each of our patients.
Additionally, we are unable to provide CO2 laser treatments to individuals who currently smoke cigarettes, as smoking can significantly impair skin healing processes.
How Does The Tetra Laser Work?
Fractional laser resurfacing devices are named as such because they only treat a fraction of the skin’s surface area. Tetra treatment emits ultra-fast pulses of light into pinpoint spots on the skin, where energy creates tiny channels in the uppermost layers of tissue. Where energy comes into contact with the epidermis, tissue is immediately vaporized. The thermal laser energy also permeates into the dermis, where rejuvenating fibroblast cells and existing collagen are heated. This heating results in prompt tightening of the collagen matrix and the ongoing production of healthy new collagen.
How Long Does A Tetra Treatment Take?
The Tetra CO2 treatments typically take about an hour in total, with about 30 minutes being the active treatment time. A topical anesthetic will be applied to the skin prior to beginning. The numbing medication needs approximately 30 minutes to reach full effect. Once the skin has been anesthetized, the laser treatment itself takes only a few minutes. Pinpoints of light create a grid-like pattern of microchannels on the skin. Thousands of these tiny injuries are made as the applicator moves across the treatment surface. Patients can expect to feel varying degrees of warmth throughout the treatment process.
Tetra Skin Resurfacing Recovery
The microchannels in the skin are created by heat, which disperses into deeper layers of tissue as treatment progresses. After treatment, the most common sensation is a bad sunburn. The skin will be red and may also be slightly swollen. These side effects can decrease within 12 hours but may take up to 2 days for some people.
After treatment, most patients go home and rest for most of the day. In 5 to 7 days, patients come into the office for a post-treatment evaluation to ensure healing is progressing as expected.
For approximately one week after Tetra treatment, patients will want to remain at home and out of the sun. No makeup should be worn for at least seven days, and our post-treatment care instructions need to be strictly followed. We are available to answer any questions that arise during recovery. Once visible signs of treatment have faded, the skin may still appear slightly pink for up to 3 months. Because the outer layer is mostly made up of fresh, new skin cells after Tetra, the surface will also be sensitive for a time.
How Long Will The Tetra Results Last?
Tetra CO2 treatment rejuvenates the skin from the inside out. Results occur and improve as collagen gets remodeled. The final effects of fractional laser resurfacing may be most apparent 3 to 6 months after treatment and can be expected to last many months or years. The skin will continue to age and be affected by overall health, lifestyle choices, stress, and sun exposure. Improvements achieved with laser treatment can last longer when these variables are well-managed.
How Many Tetra Treatments Will I Need?
One of the aspects of Tetra that patients appreciate is that results can be achieved with just one treatment. This is true even for those who have more advanced sun damage and tissue aging to correct. Some patients will opt for two or more treatments based on the end goal we would like to achieve.
Tetra Laser vs. HALO Laser
Tetra and HALO have both been praised for achieving excellent results. HALO is an erbium laser that can be customized to meet a patient’s unique needs, whereas Tetra is a carbon dioxide laser. While the energy is similar, the Tetra is geared to affect tissue at deeper levels for more profound effects in a single treatment.
FAQs
Schedule a Consultation
Learn more about fractional laser resurfacing and what it can do for you. Call 618-628-2588 to schedule a complimentary consultation at Musick Dermatology & Advanced Clinical Spa in Swansea.