A CO2 laser treatment is a skin rejuvenation therapy that can diminish the appearance of dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and mild laxity for a more even skin tone and radiant appearance. As we age, the skin’s levels of collagen and elastin naturally decline, often resulting in fine lines, wrinkles, and laxity. CO2 lasers increase your skin’s collagen for a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance.
The Skin & Vein Center is well-known for helping patients improve their appearance with minimally invasive treatments and customizable procedures. Our various treatments have helped thousands of patients address signs of aging. With CO2 laser treatments, we can significantly improve the appearance of your skin with minimal downtime.
Contact our office online or give us a call to learn more about how our innovative treatments can help you achieve beautiful, natural-looking results. We offer consultations at each of our locations:
- San Diego, CA: (619) 704-2100
- Fenton, MI: (810) 629-9200
- Sterling Heights, MI: (586) 314-1400
- Livonia, MI: (734) 762-0798
Contents
- 1 Before and After Photos
- 2 About CO2 Laser Treatments
- 3 Benefits
- 4 Candidates
- 5 Consultation
- 6 How to Prepare
- 7 Treatment Process
- 8 After Your Treatment
- 9 Results
- 10 Additional Skin Rejuvenation Treatments
- 11 Cost of CO2 Laser Treatments in San Diego and Michigan
- 12 FAQ
- 12.1 How many CO2 laser treatments will I need to enhance my skin?
- 12.2 Are there any risks to CO2 laser resurfacing?
- 12.3 How soon can I return to my normal activities afterward?
- 12.4 When can I wear makeup again after CO2 laser treatments?
- 12.5 How long should I wait before undergoing another CO2 laser treatment?
- 12.6 What is the difference between an ablative laser and a non-ablative laser?
- 13 References
Before and After Photos
About CO2 Laser Treatments
Skin resurfacing treatments are an effective way to address a variety of dermal concerns. CO2 lasers stimulate collagen production to reduce wrinkles, improve your skin’s texture, and diminish scar tissue. This gentle but powerful laser energy can transform your appearance without a lengthy recovery period by increasing cell turnover to refresh the skin over time. CO2 lasers are ablative, meaning they remove the top layer of the skin while heating deeper layers of tissue to stimulate collagen production. (1)
A recent study found that CO2 laser resurfacing can also reduce wrinkles around the eyes (periocular wrinkles) when combined with blepharoplasty. (2)
Benefits
CO2 laser resurfacing offers several benefits, which include:
- Smoother skin: Reducing the appearance of scars and divots in the skin from acne can help you achieve a smoother appearance.
- More even skin tone: We can help you address concerns such as dark spots or pigmentation for a more radiant appearance.
- Increased collagen production: Raising your collagen levels can improve your skin’s elasticity for a more youthful-looking appearance.
- Customizable treatment: We can personalize your treatment to address multiple skin concerns during a single appointment to minimize downtime.
- Lasting results: If you take good care of your skin by avoiding excessive sun exposure, you can enjoy long-lasting results. Patients who receive CO2 laser treatments can enjoy benefits for years afterward. (3)
- Reduced scar visibility: We can improve the appearance of scars for a more even and smooth appearance. (4)
Candidates
Suitable candidates for our CO2 laser treatments are those who have realistic expectations and are in good overall health. If you have an active skin infection, we recommend waiting to undergo treatment. Many patients choose to combine CO2 treatments with other skin rejuvenation methods to enhance their potential results.
We can also combine the treatment with other facial rejuvenation therapies to address more comprehensive goals. We will discuss the most effective treatment plan during your consultation. If you have a condition that affects your ability to receive CO2 laser resurfacing, we can discuss alternative treatment options. Contact our office online to schedule your consultation, or call your closest office to get started.
Consultation
During your consultation, we will ask about your medical history, skincare routine, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals. Our specialists will examine the treatment areas and answer your questions about the treatment. With this information collected, we will formulate a personalized treatment plan that addresses your concerns. We can also discuss any additional treatments you may benefit from at this time.
To learn more about our additional treatments, please read our blog!
How to Prepare
When preparing for CO2 laser treatments, you should avoid excessive sun exposure and stop using nicotine. You should also stay hydrated and discontinue medications and supplements that thin the blood. Depending on the location of the treatment area, we may also recommend that you adjust your at-home skincare routine before your treatment. If you use products that contain retinoids, we will likely recommend that you stop before your treatment for optimal results.
Treatment Process
To begin your treatment, the specialist will cleanse your skin and apply a topical anesthetic for your comfort. This laser generates heat to increase your skin’s collagen levels. The specialist will pass the laser over your skin in an even motion, and we make multiple passes to ensure that the skin is being heated evenly, helping to promote even and consistent collagen production.
Sessions can take between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on the condition of your skin and the issues being addressed. The length of your treatment will depend on your individual needs, and we will provide specific instructions to help you recover.
After Your Treatment
Your skin can take up to two weeks to heal after CO2 laser resurfacing. However, you should avoid wearing makeup until your skin heals and any scabs have fallen off. You should be gentle with your skin and avoid picking at any scabs or flakes. You should also avoid excessive sun exposure, which could cause your skin to pigment and affect your results. Your skin will likely be red or pink for several months afterward as collagen continues to build. Patients are encouraged to wear sunscreen during this period to protect the healing skin.
During your recovery, you should take good care of your skin. We can prescribe ointments or creams, which you should use consistently.
Results
After a CO2 laser treatment, you can enjoy a more even skin tone and healthier-looking skin. Increasing your skin’s collagen levels can reduce the appearance of irregularities or discoloration. Avoiding excessive sun exposure, which could compromise your skin barrier, can also help you prolong your results. Staying consistent with your treatment plan can also help improve your skin.
Additional Skin Rejuvenation Treatments
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels improve your skin’s tone and texture by reducing the appearance of dull, rough, discolored, and/or scarred skin. They can also reduce signs of aging or sun damage for a smoother appearance. We will apply a topical solution to your skin and leave it on your skin for a designated period. The peel will exfoliate your skin over the next few days to weeks.
HydraFacial™
HydraFacial™ is a multi-step dermabrasion treatment designed to brighten your appearance and reduce signs of aging with Vortex fusion technology. This removes impurities and hydrates the skin with antioxidant-infused serums.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion exfoliates the skin with tiny pressurized crystals to help you achieve a more even appearance. If you struggle with acne scars, dull skin, discoloration, dark spots, or sun damage, we can help you improve your appearance. During the treatment, we will administer gentle suction to the skin that removes dead skin cells and stimulates collagen production.
Cost of CO2 Laser Treatments in San Diego and Michigan
The cost of a CO2 laser treatment will depend on the size of the treatment area and the conditions being addressed. We can provide an all-inclusive quote for your needs and discuss financing to help make your treatment more accessible.
Contact our office online or call your closest office to learn more about how we can help you enhance your appearance with innovative treatments.
FAQ
How many CO2 laser treatments will I need to enhance my skin?
You can notice an improvement after a single treatment, but the number of treatments you need will depend on the condition of your skin.
Are there any risks to CO2 laser resurfacing?
CO2 lasers can cause inflammation in some patients. We can determine whether CO2 laser resurfacing is the right fit for you during your consultation.
How soon can I return to my normal activities afterward?
You can return to your normal activities soon afterward as long as you avoid excessive sun exposure for the first two weeks.
When can I wear makeup again after CO2 laser treatments?
You should avoid wearing makeup while your skin heals to prevent the risk of skin damage.
How long should I wait before undergoing another CO2 laser treatment?
It is generally recommended to wait at least 6 months to a year before evaluating your results and undergoing a second treatment session.
What is the difference between an ablative laser and a non-ablative laser?
An ablative laser will remove the top layers of skin to treat skin issues, and a non-ablative laser will leave the top layers of skin undamaged while heating deeper layers of tissue.
References
- Grigoryan KV, Fusco I, Ronconi L, Tiziano Zingoni. Fractional CO2 Laser Therapy for Effective Treatment of Facial Traumatic Hypertrophic Scar: A Case Report. The American journal of case reports. 2024;25. doi:https://doi.org/10.12659/ajcr.942706
- Carter SR, Seiff SR, Choo PH, Vallabhanath P. Lower eyelid CO2 laser rejuvenation. Ophthalmology. 2001;108(3):437-441. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/s0161-6420(00)00593-5
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
- Grigoryan KV, Fusco I, Ronconi L, Tiziano Zingoni. Fractional CO2 Laser Therapy for Effective Treatment of Facial Traumatic Hypertrophic Scar: A Case Report. The American journal of case reports. 2024;25. doi:https://doi.org/10.12659/ajcr.942706