Have you ever looked in the mirror and wished you could smooth out and refine your entire complexion? Maybe you have some acne scars on your cheeks, a few fine lines across your forehead, and spots where your skin texture is rough or ruddy. None of the issues are serious enough to make you desire plastic surgery, but you’re not happy with your appearance, either.
For patients like this, a non-surgical procedure called CO2 laser resurfacing can be life-changing. There are no scalpels, no incisions, and the recovery period is short and relatively painless. The best part is that it can address multiple issues at once. So, you can say goodbye to your fine lines, enlarged pores, acne scars, age spots, and more – all without a busy schedule of diverse treatments or having to buy a dozen different products.
What Is CO2 Laser Resurfacing?
CO2 laser resurfacing, to put it simply, is a non-surgical skin rejuvenation treatment that improves the appearance and health of your skin. Performed with a highly advanced laser instrument, it works by abrading away the outer layers of your skin. All the while, the treatment minimizes damage to tissue surrounding the treatment area.
Following treatment, the outer layers of your skin will slough off, revealing the new, fresh skin beneath. Since the treatment also stimulates the production of collagen and other elastic proteins in your skin, you’ll notice fewer fine lines, less sagging, and less-pronounced wrinkles after treatment.
Benefits of CO2 Laser Resurfacing
Some clients choose CO2 laser resurfacing for a single issue, like uneven skin tone or discoloration. However, most patients choose this treatment because they have multiple skin concerns that they’d like to address all at once.
Regardless of your top reason for seeking treatment, you can look forward to the following benefits of CO2 laser resurfacing:
1. Smoother Skin Texture
Rough skin texture has a way of sneaking up on you. It doesn’t develop overnight. Rather, skin tends to slowly become rougher and more highly textured over the years until one day, it reaches a point where you can no longer look past it. Exposure to pollutants, dehydration, genetics, lack of exfoliation, and loss of collagen can all contribute to a rough skin texture. Not all of these factors are avoidable, and CO2 laser resurfacing is one of the most popular skin texture improvement procedures.
2. Softer Lines
As you age, it’s common for your overall look and expressions to appear, for lack of a better term, harsher. You might find that you look a bit grumpy or sad, even when you’re happy. Others may ask you what’s wrong or otherwise comment on your expressions. Often, this is due to the development of fine lines around your eyes and mouth.
It doesn’t take much to soften those fine lines, leading to a softer, more inviting expression overall. CO2 laser resurfacing is a great approach, especially if you’re not ready for injectables.
3. Reduced Pore Size
Enlarged pores are another skin concern that can be hard to avoid. Some people naturally have larger pores. Aging, sun exposure, and a loss of collagen can also cause pores to essentially widen and hold onto more sebum.
While there are masks and cleansers that can reduce pore size to some extent, the results are usually short-lived. A CO2 laser treatment, on the other hand, will give you long-term results. Smaller pores can mean fewer acne breakouts and blackheads, too!
4. Tighter Skin
It’s common for patients to put off addressing sagging skin because they presume only a face lift can address it. While a face lift is the best choice for extensive sagging, you can address earlier signs with non-surgical skin rejuvenation treatments like CO2 laser resurfacing. In fact, addressing sagging skin early on can help keep it from worsening, so you may never require surgery.
5. Diminished Age and Sun Spots
In Florida, the sun is unavoidable. Many of us didn’t wear sunscreen as often as we should have when we were younger. It’s also easy to forget your sunscreen or to stay outside longer than it’s effective. As such, sun spots and other signs of sun damage are common.
When it comes to CO2 laser skin resurfacing, Ormond Beach residents really appreciate the more even coloration post-treatment. Sun spots, age spots, old acne marks – they all fade and blend away. You may find you no longer need a full-coverage foundation, or even decide to go makeup-free for the first time in years!
6. Brighter Complexion
In addition to all of the above benefits, laser treatments give skin a healthy glow that lasts. If you’ve ever had a moisturizing mask or used a “glow serum,” you know the look! The difference is that with laser resurfacing, the post-treatment glow lasts a lot longer because it’s due to an actual resurfacing of your skin, not just the application of a product.
What to Expect With CO2 Laser Resurfacing
CO2 laser resurfacing is a simple procedure from the patient’s perspective. Preparation is easy. You’ll want to stop using any acids, retinol products, and certain other skincare products about a week before treatment. Don’t worry; your practitioner will give you specific instructions based on your current skincare routine. You’ll also want to limit sun exposure prior to treatment to limit irritation.
1. During the CO2 Laser Resurfacing Procedure
Before the treatment begins, we’ll apply a numbing gel to reduce discomfort. Once you’re comfortable, we’ll use a special tool to deliver an intense beam of light to your skin. This light essentially heats up your skin. The outermost layers of your skin are destroyed, and the deeper layers are stimulated, leading to increased collagen production.
The entire treatment takes about an hour – more if we treat your whole face, and less if we only treat a small area.
2. After the CO2 Laser Resurfacing Procedure
On the first day after treatment, expect your skin to feel warm and irritated, similar to a sunburn. A day or so later, you’ll notice the outermost layers of skin begin to peel and flake off. This is normal. By the end of the first week, the peeling should be over for the most part, and the fresh, new skin beneath it should be visible.
Most patients only have a hint of pinkness remaining two weeks after treatment. But the benefits don’t stop there! Your skin will keep producing more collagen in the weeks to come, so benefits like improved skin tone and softened lines continue to intensify.
Other Treatments to Consider
While many of our patients are big fans of CO2 laser resurfacing, we will admit it’s not the best option for every patient. If you have more pronounced fine lines, advanced sagging, deep acne scars, or deep wrinkles, we may suggest one of these alternatives:
- Injectables: Dermal fillers and BOTOX® work well when laser treatment for fine lines doesn’t go far enough. With an experienced practitioner, results look natural and last for months.
- Face Lift: Yes, in some cases, surgery is the best option for a sagging neck, drooping jowls, or a double chin. We customize each face lift procedure to minimize discomfort and recovery time.
- Microneedling: We love using Secret™ RF Microneedling to target more pronounced fine lines and wrinkles. It stimulates deeper collagen production to naturally combat your body’s aging process.
If you’re looking for a non-surgical skin rejuvenation option or a laser treatment for fine lines, CO2 laser resurfacing is definitely a top option to consider. Take a look at our Before and After Gallery to see the amazing transformations this treatment has provided for other patients.
When you’re ready, get in touch to schedule a consultation. Dr. DeMercurio and our team will assess your skin, address any questions or concerns, and create a customized treatment plan just for you.