Using a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser for facial treatments is a common cosmetic procedure. In many instances, the CO2 laser provides the most aggressive treatment to resurface the skin. It can be performed in 2 modes: ablative and fractional. The ablative mode requires a longer recovery.

The CO2 laser is often used for skin resurfacing and to address issues such as wrinkles, scars, sun damage, age spots, and uneven skin color or tone. It is also used for the treatment of acne scarring. The laser uses heat to remove the outer layer of skin in an extremely precise manner. The heat creates a “wound” thereby stimulating the body to grow new, healthier skin. In addition, the heat from the CO2 laser promotes collagen production in the injured skin. Collagen is a protein that provides structure and elasticity to the skin, helping make it appear smooth and reduce the signs of aging.

One of the advantages of the CO2 laser is precision. The engineering aspects of the laser allow the heat to be delivered to the skin in an extremely precise pattern. In a fractional setting, only a fraction of the skin is injured, and this mode minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

The amount of downtime needed to recover from the CO2 laser depends on the settings chosen by your provider. Generally, ablative settings will take longer to recover than fractional settings. A patient who elects to undergo fully ablative treatment may take a month to look their best. The ablative setting works well for patients with acne scars and deep wrinkles and lines. A faster recovery can be achieved with fractional settings and most patients are well on the road to recovery at 2 weeks.

Following CO2 laser treatment, patients will experience some degree of redness, swelling, and peeling. There is minimal to no pain following the procedure. Most patients undergo the procedure under general or sedation anesthesia. This level of anesthesia will allow the provider to deliver the amount of energy needed to make the necessary improvements in skin color and texture. While CO2 laser treatments can yield great results, there are potential risks and side effects. These risks include hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, infection, and scarring. These risks should be discussed thoroughly with your healthcare provider.

The CO2 laser is often considered the “gold” standard for skin resurfacing because of its ability to reduce the effects of aging and provide excellent results.