Dealing with skin imperfections such as acne, oily skin, enlarged pores, fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone can be frustrating. The carbon laser facial, also known as the Hollywood Peel, China Doll Facial, or Carbon Laser Peel, is emerging as a popular non-invasive treatment to address these concerns. This innovative procedure offers a multitude of benefits, from deep cleansing and exfoliation to collagen stimulation and skin rejuvenation.
What is a Carbon Laser Facial?
A carbon laser facial is a multi-part aesthetic treatment designed to exfoliate the skin, clear congestion, and minimize excess oil. During the procedure, a layer of medical-grade liquid carbon is applied to the skin, penetrating deep into the pores and binding to oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells. Once the carbon cream has dried, a laser, such as the Nd:YAG, is utilized to heat and turn the carbon into gas, taking impurities with it. The laser light energy is absorbed by the carbon particles, causing them to break down into fine particles. This process heats the carbon, leading to a gentle implosion that exfoliates the skin and removes dead skin cells. The reaction causes a mini explosion. The explosion pushes the energy, in the form of heat, deep into the layers of the skin where the skin cells are activated to produce new collagen and elastin.
Benefits of Carbon Laser Facials
Carbon laser peels are painless and require no recovery time. Apart from a slight reddening of the skin and a tingling sensation, there should be no side effects after a laser carbon peel.
Deep Cleansing
The carbon acts like a magnet for dirt and sebum trapped inside pores. The carbon absorbs oil, dirt, and dead skin cells from deep within the pores. When the laser interacts with the carbon, it gets rid of dead skin and exfoliates the skin cells well that can lead to breakouts. As the laser moves across the skin, it effectively removes impurities and clears out pores. This deep cleanse is ideal for anyone with oily or acne-prone skin.
Exfoliation and Improved Skin Texture
By eliminating dead skin cells, the carbon facial promotes cell turnover, leaving your skin smoother and more even in texture. The carbon laser peel can exfoliate the outer layers of the skin. Exfoliation can help remove dead skin cells and unclog pores to get that glowing complexion. The treatment helps reveal skin that looks firmer and more even-toned by peeling the outermost layer and exfoliating your skin.
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Pore Minimization
A carbon facial for enlarged pores works by clearing out the debris and tightening the skin through laser-induced collagen stimulation. The treatment helps to tighten and reduce the size of enlarged pores, giving your skin a more refined and polished appearance. The peel intensively targets excess sebum, cleans the skin, and closes the look of pores. Many patients notice after only a few sessions a smoother skin surface, reduced pore visibility and more even skin texture.
Reduction of Acne and Oily Skin
One of the main benefits of a carbon peel for oily skin is its ability to shrink sebaceous glands over time. The heat from the laser also helps destroy acne-causing bacteria on the skin’s surface, decreasing the chance of future flare-ups without the need for antibiotics or harsh ingredients. This results in less oil production, helping to reduce shine and the likelihood of clogged pores. A carbon laser resurfacing is very gentle and only affects the superficial skin layers, yet it is still very effective in reducing the look of acne. The laser peel safely targets the root of blackheads and whiteheads by removing dead skin cells and unclogging pores.
Collagen Stimulation and Anti-Aging Effects
The thermal effect of the laser light encourages the regeneration of collagen, which is essential for skin elasticity and strength. The laser also heats up subdermal tissue, boosting collagen and plumping up fine lines. Regular carbon facials can stimulate collagen production, which improves skin elasticity and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time. This minimally invasive, skin-resurfacing technique will help make your skin look plumper and smoother.
Addressing Pigmentation and Uneven Skin Tone
A carbon laser peel can effectively target the look of hyperpigmentation and melasma by removing the outer layers of the skin where the excess pigment is. It evens skin tone, reducing appearance of pigment, fine lines, and acne scars.
Scar Reduction
The treatment is effective and safe for minimizing the look of scars. With this method, the laser releases minimal heat to remove dead skin and pigment, which can help smooth out and blend the look of scar tissue with the surrounding skin.
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Improved Look of Stretch Marks
A carbon laser peel can help manage stretch marks and improve the skin’s appearance. It can help target the look of stretch marks in people with skin types III-IV on the Fitzpatrick scale, specifically on the abdomen, buttocks, and flanks.
Sun Damage Correction
A carbon laser peel can help target the look of sun damage and other skin conditions. It can make your skin appear tighter and healthy looking.
The Carbon Laser Facial Procedure: What to Expect
The laser carbon peel is a multi-part process that takes around 30 minutes from start to finish. Here's what you can expect:
- Application of Carbon Cream: Your doctor will spread a layer of liquid carbon onto your face. The carbon absorbs oil, dirt, and dead skin cells from deep within the pores. You’ll wait for about 10 minutes for the liquid carbon to dry.
- Eye Protection: After the carbon has dried, your doctor will give you eye shields to protect your eyes from the laser.
- Laser Treatment: Your doctor will pass a laser, such as the Nd:YAG, over the skin on a low-energy setting. This heats up the carbon, binding it to the epidermis. If you have very sensitive skin or dark patches like melasma, your doctor may recommend skipping the heating step. The laser also heats up subdermal tissue, boosting collagen and plumping up fine lines.
- Carbon Fragmentation and Removal: On a higher-energy setting, the laser will be used to fragment the liquid carbon into tiny particles. A smoke evaporator attached to the laser will remove the carbon as well as the debris and impurities it contains.
- Post-Treatment Care: Your doctor may also apply a hydrating moisturizer and sunscreen to your skin after treatment.
You should immediately see brighter, glowing skin and tighter pores. If you have sensitive skin, you may experience a slight pinking or reddening of the skin, which usually lasts for one hour or less.
Who is a Good Candidate for a Carbon Laser Facial?
Carbon laser facials are suitable for most skin types, especially those with oily, acne-prone, or congested skin. People who have minor wrinkling and photoaging may also benefit from this treatment. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to improve skin texture, reduce pore size, or treat pigmentation issues such as melasma or sun damage.
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However, laser carbon peels are not for everyone. It’s important to have this procedure done by an experienced and licensed professional to help ensure the safety of your skin and eyes as well as provide optimal results.
Preparing for a Carbon Laser Facial
Your provider will recommend that you stop using retinols for around one week before the laser carbon peel. You should also use sunscreen with SPF35+ daily during this time. For dermal fillers or toxin treatment, it is recommended you wait a minimum of 2 weeks before undergoing laser carbon treatment. Avoid strong skincare products (like retinoids) for 3-5 days before your appointment and skip tanning or excessive sun exposure. Come with clean, makeup-free skin.
Carbon Laser Peel Aftercare: Do's and Don'ts
Here are some do’s and don’ts for laser carbon peel aftercare:
- Treat your skin gently after getting a laser carbon peel by continuing to moisturize daily.
- It’s normal to see some flaking or experience dryness for a few days.
- Use sunscreen regularly with at least SPF 30+ for several days after treatment.
- Don’t use any products containing retinol for at least five days after treatment.
- Do not exfoliate or use any abrasive or invasive skin treatments for at least one week.
- If you have oily skin, use products designed to combat acne to maintain optimum results.
- Use products containing collagen, collagen supplements, or follow a collagen-boosting diet if you have photoaged skin or fine lines.
Results and Maintenance
Patients often notice visible improvement after just one session, but for long-lasting results, a sequence of 4 to 6 treatments in few weeks apart is typically recommended. Fine lines and wrinkles should also be visibly diminished after one or more treatments. Like chemical peels, laser carbon peels won’t provide permanent results. You may need ongoing treatments in order to sustain the benefits of each. Carbon peels may be repeated every two to three weeks. This period of time allows for ample collagen regeneration between treatments. Everyone’s skin is different. Talk to your doctor or licensed aesthetician about how many treatments you should anticipate needing before you start to reap full benefits.
Cost of Carbon Laser Facials
In general, you can expect to pay around $400 per treatment for a laser carbon peel. Because laser carbon peels are cosmetic procedures, they are not typically covered by insurance. Your costs will be determined primarily by the experience of the doctor or licensed aesthetician you choose to do the procedure, as well as your geographic location and access to a provider.