Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesResultsSide EffectsFinding TreatmentHow It FeelsHealing Period

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Uses

Results

Side Effects

Finding Treatment

How It Feels

Healing Period

Carbon dioxide (CO2)laser resurfacingtreatment is a cosmetic and medical treatment for the skin. Healthcare providers use it to treat cosmetic concerns like wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and loose skin. Medical uses include ablation ofseborrheic keratosis(skin barnacles),in situ squamous cell carcinoma (Bowen’s disease),rhinophyma(a severe form of rosacea), andmelasma.

This article will cover the benefits and potential side effects of CO2laser treatments. It will also discuss costs and how to find the right provider to perform the treatment.

Tatsiana Volkava / Getty Images.

A technician prepares a CO2 laser for skin resurfacing treatment

Before CO2 Laser Resurfacing: What to Know

The CO2 laser is a popular treatment based on its ability to successfully treat several different types of skin conditions.

When the CO2 laser beam hits the skin, the temperature of the water molecules in the cells instantaneously rises to double the temperature water needs to boil, vaporizing the tissue.This results in far less bleeding compared to other lasers. The heat also helps stimulate skin cell production deep within the skin.

CO2 lasers can treat deeper skin concerns as well as more superficial concerns. These can include:

One common use of CO2 lasers is for scar appearance reduction. This includes scars from acne, chickenpox, and other causes, although other kinds of lasers treat surgical and traumatic scars more often.

After CO2 Laser Resurfacing: Potential Results

CO2 laser treatment results will vary based on a person’s skin concerns and desired outcomes. Below is a list of potential CO2 laser treatment results.

Even Skin Tone

Compared to other methods of evening out skin tone, the CO2 laser has better control over the depth, area, and the amount of damage the laser does.

Tighter Skin

One benefit of CO2 lasers is that it stimulates collagen production totighten the skin. This reduces the appearance ofwrinklesand gives the skin better elasticity and support to reduce sagging.

Reduced Scar Appearance

Compared todermabrasion, another treatment for scar reduction, the CO2 laser causes less bleeding and crusting.

Reduced Wrinkle Appearance

Wrinklereduction is another benefit of the CO2 laser. Just like it does for other conditions, the laser stimulates collagen production to make the skin tighter and more elastic. With the top layers of skin removed, thewrinkle’s appearancebecomes less pronounced and looks smoother.

CO2 Laser Treatment AreasThe face is the most popular area for CO2 laser treatment. However, it can treat just about any area of the body (e.g., removingwartsfrom the bottom of the feet).Here are some of the most common spots:FaceNeckChestArmsLegsBackHandsFeet

CO2 Laser Treatment Areas

The face is the most popular area for CO2 laser treatment. However, it can treat just about any area of the body (e.g., removingwartsfrom the bottom of the feet).Here are some of the most common spots:FaceNeckChestArmsLegsBackHandsFeet

The face is the most popular area for CO2 laser treatment. However, it can treat just about any area of the body (e.g., removingwartsfrom the bottom of the feet).Here are some of the most common spots:

CO2 Laser Side Effects

The side effects of a CO2 laser may include redness,swelling, and irritation after treatment.

Scarring will occur if the laser is over-applied and removes too much of the dermal layers. This can cause severe disfigurement, requiring treatment such as steroid injections and surgical scar revision. Infection—herpetic, bacterial, and yeast—can also pose problems.

It’s important to review all possible side effects with a healthcare provider to determine if the benefits outweigh the risks in your particular case.

Skin After Treatment

After CO2 laser treatment the skin may feel tight, raw, andsunburned. Skin will also peel from the layers of skin removed.

The doctor will apply creams to the laser-treated skin for seven to 10 days until the skin heals.

How to Get CO2 Laser Treatment

Adermatologist,plastic surgeon, or facial plastic surgeon who has experience with lasers performs CO2 laser treatment. Choosing a healthcare provider skilled with CO2 lasers is important because they will know precisely how much injury the laser should apply to acquire the desired results.

Finding a Clinic

When looking for a clinic that performs CO2 laser treatments, inquire about the clinic and healthcare provider’s experience, follow-up appointments,insurance coverage, and testimonials from other patients.

Average Cost

The cost of full-face CO2 laser resurfacing varies greatly across the United States. Fees can range from $3,000–$7,000, including the surgeon’s fee, facility fee, and anesthesia.

How Does CO2 Laser Treatment Feel?

CO2 laser treatment requires the application of alocal numbing cream.However, a full-face CO2 resurfacing is quite painful and frequently requires conscious sedation anesthesia. An anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist performs this.

Healing Period After CO2 Laser Treatment

The general healing time for a CO2 laser treatment is about two weeks. For the first five to seven days, theskinwill feel red and raw. After that, the skin will dry out and begin topeel.

When the peeling is complete, the new skin will become slightly pink. After a couple of months, the pink will start to fade but may take up to a year to go away completely.

Infection SymptomsCO2 laser treatments remove the top layers of the skin. Removing layers of the skin poses a risk of infection. However, due to the laser’s heat, a CO2 laser poses a less serious risk. Nonetheless, the signs andsymptoms of an infectioninclude:FeverChillsYellow or green discharge from the laser siteIncreasing painIncreasing swelling

Infection Symptoms

CO2 laser treatments remove the top layers of the skin. Removing layers of the skin poses a risk of infection. However, due to the laser’s heat, a CO2 laser poses a less serious risk. Nonetheless, the signs andsymptoms of an infectioninclude:FeverChillsYellow or green discharge from the laser siteIncreasing painIncreasing swelling

CO2 laser treatments remove the top layers of the skin. Removing layers of the skin poses a risk of infection. However, due to the laser’s heat, a CO2 laser poses a less serious risk. Nonetheless, the signs andsymptoms of an infectioninclude:

Summary

CO2 laser treatments are an effective method for reducing the appearance of wrinkles, sun damage, and loose skin. Healthcare providers use it in clinical settings and can perform it on almost any area of the body. Though CO2 lasers are generally considered a safe treatment, there are potential side effects such as swelling, redness, and infection.

5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Laser skin resurfacing.Omi T, Numano K.The role of the CO2 laser and fractional CO2 laser in dermatology.Laser Ther. 2014;23(1):49-60. doi:10.5978/islsm.14-RE-01Yumeen S, Khan T.Laser carbon dioxide resurfacing. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.U.S. Dermatology Partners.What is CO2 laser resurfacing?Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Skin care before and after fractionated carbon dioxide laser treatment.

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Laser skin resurfacing.Omi T, Numano K.The role of the CO2 laser and fractional CO2 laser in dermatology.Laser Ther. 2014;23(1):49-60. doi:10.5978/islsm.14-RE-01Yumeen S, Khan T.Laser carbon dioxide resurfacing. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.U.S. Dermatology Partners.What is CO2 laser resurfacing?Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Skin care before and after fractionated carbon dioxide laser treatment.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Laser skin resurfacing.Omi T, Numano K.The role of the CO2 laser and fractional CO2 laser in dermatology.Laser Ther. 2014;23(1):49-60. doi:10.5978/islsm.14-RE-01Yumeen S, Khan T.Laser carbon dioxide resurfacing. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.U.S. Dermatology Partners.What is CO2 laser resurfacing?Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Skin care before and after fractionated carbon dioxide laser treatment.

American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Laser skin resurfacing.

Omi T, Numano K.The role of the CO2 laser and fractional CO2 laser in dermatology.Laser Ther. 2014;23(1):49-60. doi:10.5978/islsm.14-RE-01

Yumeen S, Khan T.Laser carbon dioxide resurfacing. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.

U.S. Dermatology Partners.What is CO2 laser resurfacing?

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Skin care before and after fractionated carbon dioxide laser treatment.

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