There are a lot of skin treatments on the market that will help you look younger and healthier. But a lot of these treatments do the same thing: smooth out skin tone, erase wrinkles, remove scars, and tighten skin that has become loose over the years. Two procedures performed in many cosmetic medical offices are Skinfinity RF and Mixto Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing. While both procedures can produce the same results, there are some big differences between the two.
Mixto Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing isn’t new and Mixto Fractional CO2 Laser is one of those device that can treat many conditions such as skin laxity, wrinkles, fine lines, uneven skin tone, and acne scars.
The Mixto Fractional CO2 Laser uses a carbon dioxide laser, which uses a very tightly focused beam that produces a smooth tissue ablation. This means that the laser is removing the very top cells of your dermis, and the heat it produces causes the skin to tighten and also stimulate the skin’s own repair process. The result is skin that is firmer and an even tone that continues to improve over time because the skin will continue to produce collagen up to 12 weeks after a single treatment.
However, unlike other skin resurfacing treatments, you will also see an immediate improvement in how your skin looks after your first session. In fact, one of the biggest benefits of the Mixto Fractional CO2 Laser is that most people only require one treatment to see the best results. If you have deep wrinkles or severe acne scars then two or three sessions might be required. Due to the ablative nature of the treatment only lighter skin type individuals can be treated with CO2.
The downtime for the Mixto Fractional CO2 Laser is about five to seven days depending on the strength of the treatment and how well you care for it during the healing process. The first day, patients usually experience some redness, swelling, and itching over the treated area. Aquafor and regular compresses are needed to keep the skin moist so the dead skin can peel off in 5-7 days. Many patients describe it like having a severe sunburn. The provider will give instructions on how to care for the skin and most patients can return to work after all the peeling is completed.
Skinfinity RF
By contrast, the Skinfinity RF uses radio frequency or RF instead of a CO2 laser. RF produces heat or thermal energy to help with tightening and the micro plasma causes some mild ablation of the skin. Skinfinity does ablate some skin by creates small micro-injuries that stimulate the skin’s own repair processes, including new collagen production. However, Skinfinity does not remove as much pigmentation as CO2 as it does not have the peeling process but it provides thermal heat for tightening. Furthermore, it is safe for ALL skin types even the darker skin individuals. Like the Mixto Fractional CO2 Laser, Skinfinity also treats wrinkles, fine lines, skin laxity, scars, and uneven skin tone. Each treatment session is about twenty minutes to one hour. The big difference between the two treatments, however, is how much downtime the patient needs. After a Skinfinity RF treatment, the patient is able to resume normal activities sooner instead of waiting up to 5-7 days as with the laser resurfacing.
The other big difference is that the Skinfinity RF usually requires more than one treatment, spaced four to six weeks apart, to see the best results. With the Mixto laser resurfacing, only one treatment is needed especially if a stronger setting is used.
Which Treatment Is Right For You?
There are two main differences between the Skinfinity RF and Mixto Fractional CO2 Laser that are worth considering when deciding which one is right for you. First, the Mixto laser only requires one treatment for most patients. The Skinfinity RF generally requires at least three sessions to achieve the best results.
On the other hand, the Skinfinity RF has less downtime. After your session, you’ll be able to resume your normal daily activities sooner than CO2. After a Mixto Fractional CO2 Laser treatment, you’ll need up to five days for recovery. While some can return to work in less time, there is no guarantee.
So it’s a trade-off between multiple treatment sessions or a longer recovery period. In the end, however, both treatments will make your skin look younger, healthier, and make you feel much more confident. Call Beauty & Body located in Hillcrest and Solana Beach, San Diego today for a consultation.