DOT C02 Laser Skin Treatment

The natural effects of aging, sunlight and exposure to air pollution cause a gradual deterioration in both the structure and functions of the skin. Dermal Optical Thermolysis, or DOT therapy, is an innovative new laser technology designed to restore the skin’s youthful appearance. DOT therapy can treat a variety of skin conditions like sun spots, age spots, wrinkles, sagging skin, stretch marks and hyperpigmentation and it is especially effective in treating complex conditions like acne scars, surgical scars and deep wrinkles. Nearly any area of the body can be treated though commonly treated areas include the face, neck, eyelids, décolleté, hands, arms, knees and back. This is a safe, effective treatment for individuals who are looking to improve their skin.

DOT therapy uses a fractional CO2 laser technology to shrink the skin and stimulate the production of new collagen. Unlike other fractional systems that use a continuous source or traditional pulsed emission, the DOT laser is the only CO2 laser that works through pulsed emission, utilizing two innovative technologies: SmartPulse and SmartStack. Furthermore, in addition to the traditional and interlaced scan methods, DOT also features a special algorithm developed to enhance post-treatment recovery. This algorithm optimizes the scanning of the treatment area, minimizing the local increase in temperature. Treatment and downtime can be tailored to the patient’s needs, allowing lower settings to be used for patients with minimal damage and more aggressive settings to be used for patients with excessive skin damage.

As an expert in the field of laser therapy, Dr. Chernoff assisted in the development and clinical studies for the DOT laser and he is excited to offer this new treatment at his Indianapolis cosmetic surgery center. DOT therapy is performed in the office setting and takes approximately thirty minutes to perform. A topical numbing cream is applied prior to treatment, though discomfort is minimal as patients generally describe treatment as similar to the snap of a tiny warm rubber band against the skin.

After treatment, patients will feel as if they have a sunburn. The recovery time will depend on the setting used for treatment. For individuals with minimal sun damage and only a slight decline in skin elasticity there may be no downtime and work and other activities may be resumed right away. More aggressive treatments for those with severe sun damage, age spots, wrinkles, scars or stretch marks  may require one to three days of downtime. Aggressive treatments can cause a moderate sunburn-like appearance that may limit the patient from returning to work depending on how they feel about their appearance. Aftercare instructions will be provided to help you care for the treated skin. DOT therapy is a very effective, quick in-office procedure that involves minimal downtime and minimal risk of complications. It is an excellent minimally-invasive alternative to traditional facelift surgery or CO2 laser resurfacing. Dr. Chernoff has used DOT therapy with exceptional results on many of his patients, including those who have been victims of violent acts with significant scarring of the face and body.