Dr. John R. Burroughs and his team are proud to offer Morpheus Microneedling to patients in Colorado Springs, South Denver, Castle Rock, and the surround areas of Colorado.

CO2 Laser vs Morpheus Radio Frequency for Skin Resurfacing by Dr. John Burroughs

CO2 Laser vs Morpheus Radio Frequency for Skin Resurfacing by Dr. John Burroughs

Hey everyone, Dr. John Burroughs. At Springs Aesthetics. We’re coming from one of our operating suites. I wanted to talk about the differences between CO2 laser, skin resurfacing and radio frequency, skin tightening and resurfacing. They both work well. The CO2, an advantage is that it’s more customizable, so you can go anywhere from 50% density up to 90, 95% with our unit here and basically the laser is delivered through this hand piece. It’s kind of nice guard, so it’s at the appropriate focal distance and you can treat large areas of the face very quickly. Now, the CO2 laser will not reduce fat and it’s more of a resurfacing of the skin texture. It doesn’t tighten near to the same amount as the radio frequency approach does, which uses these fractionated needles that come out that are attached to this handpiece. Because the energy goes so much deeper with the radio frequency, you can not only tighten the skin more, but you can also address some unwanted fat.

Now, it doesn’t replace liposuction, but for small areas of extra fat like in the jowls or under the chin there, it can work well if you have moderate mild to moderate amounts of fat. The CO2 laser is more on the superficial level. With that said, we often will do a combination approach where we get more of the tightening with the radio frequency. Ours is the end mode morphous unit and superficially for fine lines around the lips you can use the laser and so they work well together. Now in times past, I started doing CO2 laser resurfacing in the late nineties, all we had was a hundred percent ablation. So the whole area that you treated, all the skin was addressed, which may sound good, but it really prolonged healing times to where you could look quite unsightly for a few weeks. With the fractionated approach where it’s like this, where not every single spot is being treated, it’s got little areas in between, so the healing is a lot faster and risk for pigment changes and prolonged redness of the tissues is much less.

Now the CO2 laser though, it’s more customizable, it still takes longer to heal unless you’re just doing a very superficial, minimal density treatment, whereas the Morpheus in about five days, you may have just a little redness left, but you’re pretty much healed, which is really nice. It can still be depending on the energy level and the density. We with CO2 laser, seven to 10 days before the skin is turned over. So we like to do three treatments with the laser about a month apart, maybe six weeks. We find that doing those, it gives an additive result with a very safe profile in a good healing time, and those results will usually help you for a few years if you take good care of your skin. Use good sunblock, use good antioxidants and moisturizer. However, a lot of patients like to get a single touch-up at about a year just to keep the maintenance going.

They don’t have to do the whole series though with the Morpheus, we also like a series of three. You do ’em a month apart, not two months. The healing is so much faster and then you’re good for a year or two. However, most patients, because they love the results so much, they want to maintain it, not let it drop off at all. They come in 12 to 14 months to do a single treatment, and again, that’s taking care of your skin. You want to protect your investment. So I kind of wanted to talk about those differences and I hope everybody found that helpful.

What is Fractora or Morpheus Skin Resurfacing?

Fractora or Morpheus skin resurfacing delivers targeted bipolar radiofrequency energy to various depths in the skin. Fractora or Morpheus can meet and exceed the results of CO2 fractional laser skin resurfacing. Unlike CO2 treatments, it provides results with shorter downtime, less redness, and minimal pigmentation concerns.

Fractora or Morpheus skin resurfacing is a customizable treatment with different treatment tips for different depths or pin density. It also combines multiple settings to help personalize treatment for your concerns. This treatment can be used to treat a variety of concerns, ranging from superficial to deeper concerns, such as:

  • Acne scars
  • Active cystic acne
  • Deep or fine wrinkles
  • Hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone
  • Photo damage
  • Skin irregularities
  • Uneven skin texture
  • Displeasing fatty areas (e.g. jowls)

Fractora or Morpheus is most commonly used for treating the face and neck, but it can be used to treat other areas. Choosing this treatment method allows for diverse treatments that can be personalized to your concerns.

Download the Brochure

Before and After Pictures

What Could I Expect from a Fractora or Morpheus Skin Resurfacing Procedure?

Fractora or Morpheus skin resurfacing treatments are performed in the comfort of our Colorado office. Just as treatment is customized for your unique skin and concerns, everyone’s treatment journey is different. The length of treatment will vary for each concern or area treated, and, while some concerns may be adequately addressed with just one session, a series of treatments may be required. However, the unique combination of different treatments saves the time and hassle of undergoing multiple treatments.

Morpheus is the latest generation of needle resurfacing. This is not microneedling, which only goes to about 2mm. Morpheus results are much more significant, and the treatments are more quickly performed. They are also more comfortable than the 1st generation Fractora. Fractora still serves a role and has a larger number of tips. Eventually Morpheus will offer treatments from the current 3-5 mm to 3mm to 9 mm of energy delivered depth for larger areas such as the abdomen, thighs, and other areas needing deeper energy penetration.

Unlike fractional CO2 laser treatments, there is no set downtime associated with this outpatient procedure but typically the skin appears good at 4-6 days. Cover-up makeup can be applied as early as the 2nd to 3rd day. While you should be able to return to your normal daily activities following treatment, it is important to take particular care of your skin. Our team will provide you with all pre and post-care instructions, but we recommend the use of products such as:

  • CE Ferulic
  • EltaMD® sunscreen
  • HA Intensifier
  • Renew Overnight Dry
  • Retinol 0.5
  • SkinCeuticals® cleanser
  • Triple Lipid Restore

It is important to have realistic goals and expectations for Fractora skin resurfacing treatment, and remember results will vary for each person, treatment area, and skin care concern.

Am I a Good Candidate for Radiofrequency Skin Resurfacing?

One of the most exciting things about Radiofrequency skin resurfacing is its ability to treat a variety of skin tones and types. It can be used to treat dark skin tones and, unlike other treatment options like fractional CO2 laser treatments, has a much lower risk of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).

The best way to ensure if this is the best treatment option for you and your goals is a consultation with Dr. Burroughs and his team in Colorado Springs. As this non-surgical, non-invasive treatment option can treat a variety of concerns, it may be a good choice for you to effectively and efficiently multiple concerns with one treatment.

Does Radiofrequency Resurfacing Hurt & Does It Work?

It generally is not very uncomfortable once appropriate anesthetic topical and/or injections have been applied. Patients may elect to use Pro-Nox nitrous oxide during treatments, and receive oral sedation. It certainly works well to both tighten the skin, target unwanted superficial fat, help with dyspigmentation, help wrinkles, and improve skin texture.

How Much Does Laser Radiofrequency Resurfacing Cost?

The cost of Radiofrequency skin resurfacing is determined on a patient-by-patient basis depending upon the number of treatments required, and the number and extent of the areas. Springs Aesthetics offers multiple payment options, including financing through CareCredit® and Alphaeon®. Dr. Burroughs will discuss your payment options during your consultation.

Are There Any Precautions?

Patients that have indwelling electronic devices (e.g., pacemaker) should not have radiofrequency treatments. For facial treatments, we also have you take antivirals to avoid a shingles outbreak of the face that could cause poor healing and even scarring.

Why Should I Get Facial Radiofrequency Resurfacing?

As our body ages, our skin fails to resist the effects of the sun, gravity, acne scarring, aging, and to all our daily facial expressions. These factors cause deep lines and wrinkles that age our appearance even more than we actually feel. CO2 laser skin resurfacing can help vaporize the damaged outer layers of skin to improve fine lines/wrinkles and tighten the skin helping with deeper folds.

What Can Boost The Radiofrequency Resurfacing Results?

The results can be boosted with topical and/or injected PRP. PRP is your own blood platelets, which have been concentrated to yield the most beneficial growth factors. This can facilitate and boost the production of collagen and elastin. Some patients benefit from combined photofacial IPL treatments and radiofrequency resurfacing.

How Does Radiofrequency Skin Resurfacing Work?

The Radiofrequency can remove layers of damaged skin, which triggers the regeneration of collagen and the overlying healthy skin above. This procedure is also great for people who have facial scarring, sun damage, benign lesions, precancerous spots, active acne, or uneven skin pigmentation.

How Are The Treatments Done and What Areas Can Be Treated?

This treatment can be performed all over your face, or on targeted areas, such as around the eyes, mouth, neck, décolleté, arms, and hands.

For more superficial treatments, topical anesthetic may be all that is required. Before more aggressive treatments, the face may be injected with a numbing nerve block, and in certain situations, we also give an oral medication to relax you. On the hands, topical anesthetic may be applied as well as a cryo zimmer unit. We also have Pro-Nox nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for those who wish to be even further relaxed.

This procedure is done in three separate treatments spaced 1-2 months apart. The results keep improving up to a year. The results can last 2-3 years with proper skin care maintenance and sun protection. Some patients benefit with a single annual treatment following their series to maximally maintain their results.

What Is Recovery Like and How Do I Take Care Of The Treated Areas?

Recovery time, although different for everyone, but typically only 4-5 days compared to 7-10 for laser. The first few days being the most crucial while the treated areas heal and new layers of healthy skin appear. There may be mild redness and swelling, as well as shedding of micro-scabs.

Use of Hydrabalm, Vaseline, or Aquaphor four to six times a day to the treated areas is important until the tiny micro-scabls have “shedded” and the new skin is seen.

A detailed list of post-treatment instructions will be provided, as well as any prescriptions needed. This procedure is very safe and effective. Results can last for several years and is best achieved by utilizing medical grade skincare.

CO2 laser progression

For more than 20 years, Dr. John Burroughs has helped men and women in Florida, Utah, Colorado Springs, South Denver, Castle Rock and other areas of Colorado, as well as internationally, by providing exceptional care in plastic surgery and eyelid surgery. At his practice, he also offers medical spa treatments that are performed by his aestheticians to complement surgical results and speed healing. To learn more about laser skin resurfacing with Fractora or Morpheus, contact us today to schedule a consultation.