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Home / Aesthetics / CO₂ Laser Resurfacing

Aesthetics & Rejuvenation

CO₂ Laser Resurfacing

Fractional CO₂ laser removes thin columns of old, damaged skin and triggers a strong healing response. New, smoother skin and fresh collagen may improve wrinkles, scars, sun damage and rough texture.

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Technology

Reviva fractional CO₂ laser (10,600 nm)

Sessions

Often one; gentler settings may need a short series

Downtime

From a few days (gentle) to about 7–10 days (deeper)

Is it right for me?

This may suit you if…

  • Fine lines and wrinkles, including around the eyes and mouth
  • Acne scars and other scars
  • Rough texture and enlarged pores
  • Sun damage, sun spots and uneven tone
  • You can plan around about a week of downtime

There is real downtime, and it is not right for everyone. It may not suit some darker skin tones, people prone to keloid scars, people with active infections or cold sores, people who are pregnant, or anyone who has taken isotretinoin (Accutane) in the past 6–12 months. We review this carefully with you.

How it works

1

Consult

We check your skin type, history and goals, and plan the depth of treatment.

2

Prep

You may start skincare beforehand. On the day, numbing cream is applied. If you get cold sores, we may prescribe medicine to help prevent them.

3

Treatment

The laser treats the skin in a fine grid pattern, leaving healthy skin in between to speed healing.

4

Healing

Redness, swelling and peeling for about a week. Pinkness can last several weeks. We give you detailed aftercare instructions.

What CO₂ laser may help with

“Fractional” means the laser treats tiny columns of skin rather than the whole surface. This lets your skin heal faster while still building new collagen.

Wrinkles

Fine lines around the eyes and mouth, and crepey skin.

Scars

Acne scars and some surgical scars.

Texture

Rough skin and enlarged pores.

Sun damage

Brown spots, dullness and uneven tone.

Our technology

The Reviva fractional CO₂ laser

We use Reviva, an FDA-cleared fractional CO₂ laser. It offers several settings, from a gentle, low-density resurfacing mode with minimal downtime to deeper fractional treatment for wrinkles and scars.

This lets us match the treatment to your skin, your goals and how much downtime you can manage. Your physician will recommend the right depth for you.

Weighing it up

Advantages and disadvantages

Possible advantages

  • One of the most effective treatments for wrinkles, scars and sun damage
  • Settings can be adjusted from gentle to deep
  • Often only one treatment is needed for deeper resurfacing
  • Stimulates new collagen that keeps improving for months
  • Long-lasting results with sun protection

Disadvantages and possible risks

  • Real downtime with deeper settings: redness, swelling and peeling
  • Pinkness can last several weeks
  • Not right for some darker skin tones or people prone to keloids
  • Strict sun avoidance while healing
  • Risks include infection, cold sore flare-ups, skin color changes and, rarely, scarring

Preparing and recovering

Before and after your treatment

Before your treatment

  • Avoid the sun and tanning for about 4 weeks
  • Stop retinoids, acids and exfoliants about a week before
  • Tell us if you get cold sores; we may prescribe medicine to prevent them
  • Tell us if you have taken isotretinoin (Accutane) in the past 6–12 months
  • Plan your downtime: clear your calendar for about a week for deeper treatments
  • Do not smoke; it slows healing

After your treatment

  • Keep the skin clean and moist with the products we recommend
  • Expect redness, swelling and a sunburn-like feeling for the first few days
  • Your skin will peel; do not pick or scrub
  • Sleep with your head raised for the first night or two to reduce swelling
  • Avoid the sun completely while healing, then use sunscreen every day
  • Return to makeup and normal skincare only when we say your skin has healed

Call us right away if you notice increasing pain, pus, fever or blisters, which may be signs of infection.

Results

What to expect

What you can expect

  • Smoother, brighter skin once healed
  • Softer fine lines, scars and sun spots
  • Continued improvement for 3–6 months as collagen builds
  • Results that may last for years with sun protection

What not to expect

  • A completely line-free face
  • Instant results without downtime on deeper settings
  • Removal of deep folds or loose skin, which may need surgery
  • Results that stop natural aging

Results vary from person to person and are not guaranteed.

Common questions

It depends on the depth. Gentle settings may mean a few days of redness. Deeper treatments mean about a week of redness and peeling, and pinkness for a few weeks.

We apply numbing cream. Most people feel heat and prickling during treatment, and a sunburn-like feeling afterward.

You will see smoother skin once it heals, and results keep improving for 3–6 months.

Results may last for years with sun protection and good skincare.

People who are pregnant, have active infections or cold sores, are prone to keloid scars, have taken isotretinoin recently, have some darker skin tones, or cannot avoid the sun while healing may not be good candidates.

Yes. It can be combined with PRP to support healing, and with Xeomin® for movement lines.

About aesthetic treatments. Results vary from person to person and are not guaranteed. Most treatments need a series of sessions, and some involve downtime. Before-and-after photos, where shown, are real patients who gave written permission and are not a promise of your result. Medical disclaimer.

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