The Lumenis Ultrapulse CO2 laser is the most versatile and powerful CO2 laser in the world capable of performing many aesthetic, dermatological and surgical treatments. The CO2 laser is a laser that uses the carbon dioxide gas as its lasing medium. The generated laser has a wavelength of 10064 nm and is in the far infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. This has clinical importance as the light that is emitted will be highly absorbed by water (composes 60% of the skin) and will bring the temperature to over 100 degree Celsius leading to vaporisation and ablation of the tissue. Clinically this is visible as removal of parts of the skin which can be a lesion or layers of the skin starting from the most superficial layer called the epidermis. In traditional laser resurfacing the entire affected area is ablated and when performing this procedure for photodamage or acne scars or rejuvenation the effects will be a combination of smoother skin as the surface layers have been removed and will be renewed by healthier smoother skin as well as better collagen and healthier dermis which is the deeper layer of the skin.

The Lumenis Ultrapulse CO2 has different handpieces tailored to different uses. The ActiveFx handpiece is a scanner that uses relatively large individual spots resulting in more superficial injury and is therefore more suited for relatively superficial pathology or improvement in tone and texture. The ActiveFx handpiece scanner can be used in a fractional mode with varying density and speed. The dermatologist will choose the appropriate parameters based on the indication.

The DeepFx handpiece of the Ultrapulse CO2 laser has a very small spot size and is only fractional. The advantage of the small spot is that it can penetrate deep and be used for deep targets such as wrinkles but in particularly scars such as surgical, burn, and acne scars. In many cases both the ActiveFx and DeepFx handpieces are used in the same session.

The Lumenis Ulltrapulse CO2 can be combined with other treatments such as subcision, platelet rich plasma and drug delivery topically.

Professor Firas Al-Niaimi is an international trainer on the CO2 laser technology and has published many scientific papers on his experience and use of the Lumenis Ultrapulse CO2 laser and these articles can be found in the publications section of the website.