Carbon laser treatment, or carbon laser facial, is a quick, safe, and painless method of skin rejuvenation. It helps to improve the look of the skin and is primarily targeted at people with oily skin, acne, and enlarged or clogged pores. It is also highly effective in reversing the effects of sun damage on the skin. 

As much as carbon laser peels are successful in giving visible and sustainable results, they are not for everyone. This article will provide a detailed guide on everything you need to know about this treatment, including its benefits, procedure, results, and what to expect after the treatment.

If you are someone contemplating getting carbon laser peeling, you will be able to determine if it is the right treatment for you at the end of the article. 

Benefits of Carbon Laser Peel 

Laser carbon peels deeply exfoliate the skin and stimulate collagen production. Laser carbon peels are the best treatment to address.

• Acne

• Acne pigmentation

• Acne scarring

• Enlarged and clogged pores

• Melasma

• Photoaging

• Fine lines and wrinkles

Chemical peels can also treat these conditions, but they are different from the carbon laser peel. Here are their key differences: 

• Laser carbon peels use heat for the treatment instead of chemicals 

• Laser carbon peels require no downtime

• People who have sensitive skin or conditions like eczema may find the carbon laser peel more ideal. This is because it results in less redness and irritation post-carbon peel than with a chemical peel. 

Cost of Carbon Laser Peeling 

On average carbon laser peels can cost around AED 1500. As they are cosmetic procedures, they are not usually covered by insurance. 

The exact cost of a carbon laser peeling facial will depend on the experience of the doctor, geographic location, and accessibility to the skin clinic or provider. 

Step-By-Step Carbon Laser Procedure 

One of the most important steps in getting a carbon laser peel is having an appointment with a reliable and licensed aesthetician prior to the procedure. This gives enough time and understanding to clear off any doubts, and for your doctor to see if this is the ideal treatment for your condition and expected goals. 

Prior consultations also give another opportunity to discuss medical history, and any medications or treatments you are currently on. 

Generally, your doctor will recommend you to stop using retinols one week before the treatment. You should use sunscreen daily during this time. The carbon laser peel treatment procedure takes only 30 minutes. This is why it is also called a lunchtime peel. 

Here are the steps you can  expect from a typical laser carbon peel:

Step 01 

The procedure begins by your doctor spreading a layer of liquid carbon on the face. This step helps to absorb oil, dirt, and dead skin cells from the deep pores in your skin. 

Step 02 

Then you will have to wait for around 10 minutes for the liquid carbon to dry off. 

Step 03 

Once the carbon has dried, you will get eye shields to protect your eyes from the laser light used during the treatment. 

Step 04 

Then your doctor will pass a laser, such as the Nd:YAG, over the skin in a low-energy setting. This will heat up the carbon, binding it to the epidermis. The laser also helps to heat up the subdermal tissues, boosting the collagen and plumping up the fine lines. 

Step 05 

If you have very sensitive skin, dark patches, or any other conditions like melasma, your doctor may recommend skipping the heating step. 

Step 06 

When used at  a higher-energy setting, the laser will fragment the liquid carbon into tiny particles.

Step 07 

There is a smoke evaporator attached to the laser which will remove the carbon as well as the debris and impurities it contains.

Step 08 

Once the treatment is done, as the final step your doctor may also apply a hydrating moisturizer and sunscreen to your skin. 

Post-treatment, you will be able to see brighter and glowing skin with tighter pores. 

If you have sensitive skin, it's normal to experience a slight pinkening or reddening of the skin. It should go away after an hour or less. 

Aftercare for Carbon Laser Peeling 

As with any other cosmetic procedure, aftercare is very important to utilise the benefits of the treatment and to avoid the risk of infections or side effects. Here are some of the do’s and dont’s you need to follow post carbon laser peeling. 

• Make sure to treat your skin gently after getting a laser carbon peel with proper moisture daily. 

• It is perfectly normal to experience any flaking or dryness for a few days,

• Use sunscreen at least with SPF 30+ regularly for several days after the treatment. 

• Don’t use any products with retinol for at least five days post-treatment.

• Do not exfoliate or use any abrasive or invasive skin care products or get any similar treatments  for at least one week.

• If you have oily skin, you should start incorporating a skincare routine designed to combat acne to maintain optimum results.

• It is recommended to use products containing collagen or collagen supplements after our treatment. It is also highly encouraged to follow a collagen-boosting diet if you have photoaged skin or fine lines.

Analysing the Effectiveness of Carbon Laser Peeling 

Overall when anlysing the effectiveness of carbon laser peeling, they prove to be highly beneficial for improving the look of oily skin and enlarged pores. 

If you have severe acne or acne scarring, it can take more than one treatment to see the full effect of the results. You will also be able to see your fine lines and wrinkles visibly diminished after one or more treatments. 

A reliable study found that a woman experiencing severe cystic acne who received six peel treatments two weeks apart was able to see significant improvements by the fourth treatment. By the sixth session, her acne was reduced by 90%. 

The results also were long-lasting as it was still apparent at a follow-up visit at the doctor two months post-treatment. 

However, it should be emphasised that, like chemical peels, carbon peels don’t provide instant results. You may have to get ongoing treatments to sustain the full benefits of the treatment. 

On average, it is recommended to repeat the carbon laser peel every two to three weeks. This time frame allows for ample collagen regeneration between the treatments. 

Key Takeaway 

When analysing the effectiveness of carbon laser peels, it is important to understand that everyone’s skin is different. There are instances where the treatment may not be ideal for your conditions or the type of results you are expecting. This is why it is important to have a thorough conversation with your doctor or licensed aesthetician about what you can expect, how many treatments you need, and if you will be able to reap the full benefits of the treatment. 

Lastly, although often overlooked, your choice of aesthetician also plays a key role in how effective your treatment will turn out to be. 

Always make sure you are narrowing down the best skin clinic, with an experienced team of doctors, and the use of the latest technology and techniques to make your investment on your skin safe, and sustainable.