CO2 Laser Treatment for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

A carbon dioxide laser, often known as a CO2 laser, is a kind of laser that cuts or dissolves tissue using focused light energy. CO2 lasers are effective instruments for treating a wide range of skin disorders because they can accurately target and correct imperfections or increase the production of collagen. Board-certified Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Solomon Azouz uses CO2 lasers to treat various skin conditions, including acne scars, uneven skin tone, and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).

Why CO2 Laser for Hidradenitis?

When treating hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), carbon dioxide laser therapy can be beneficial, especially for moderate to severe cases (stage II or III) that have not improved with previous treatments such as antibiotics or medications. In some cases, laser hair removal can also help treat hidradenitis suppurativa.

The fundamental cause of HS lesions, affected sweat glands and hair follicles, are targeted and destroyed by a concentrated light beam during CO2 laser treatment. Furthermore, the laser can get rid of scar tissue and sinus tracts.

The following are a few advantages of HS carbon dioxide laser treatment:

• Decreases damage to nearby healthy tissue
• Lower chance of infection
• Improved cosmetic results, with scars that are flatter and less obvious
• Allows for more minimal excision with surgery

How does a Carbon Dioxide Laser treat Hidradenitis?

By destroying the affected sweat glands and hair follicles, CO2 lasers aim to eliminate the underlying cause of hidradenitis suppurativa lesions.

• Laser Beam: A powerful beam of carbon dioxide gas and light is accurately directed to the affected area.
• Tissue Ablation: The laser energy heats and vaporizes the damaged skin tissue, which includes sweat glands, hair follicles, and any sinus tracts. Compared to using a scalpel, this causes less injury to healthy surrounding tissues. The energy from the laser beam is absorbed by skin tissue as it comes into contact with it, which causes the targeted area to heat up quickly. Depending on the laser settings, this heat can either evaporate (ablate) the tissue or promote tightness and collagen formation.
• Decreased Inflammation: The laser helps in reducing inflammation brought on by HS lesions by eliminating the inflammatory tissue.
• Collagen Stimulation: Laser heat increases the formation of collagen, a protein that aids wound healing and may result in more aesthetic outcomes with flatter scars.

Depending on the extent and location of the lesions, several CO2 laser treatments are used for HS treatment:

• Excision: Using laser cauterization, entire portions of HS-affected skin are removed with minimum bleeding.
• Vaporization: This method offers exact control as it eliminates HS lesions layer by layer.
• Stripping: This method removes impacted skin more superficially than vaporization.

What is the recovery from CO2 Laser for HS?

The recovery following CO2 laser treatment for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) varies according to the size and location of the treated region. In the beginning, you may experience swelling or mild discomfort. During your routine follow-up appointments, Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Azouz will give you specific wound care recommendations, which may include cleaning and applying an ointment to encourage healing. The treated region will most likely scab and turn red, but these scabs will naturally fade off. Inflammation and pain will go down over the course of a few weeks, and the treatment area will gradually flatten out. While some scarring is possible, CO2 lasers produce flatter, less obvious scars than standard surgery.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Azouz

If you are bothered by hidradenitis suppurativa, call the office at (972) 702-8888 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Solomon Azouz today! During your consultation, Dr. Azouz will review your medical history and perform a physical exam to create a personalized treatment plan for HS. In some cases, Dr. Azouz may recommend specialized skincare or medications before procedures to help improve your overall results.