Gentle CO2 Laser Treatment
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Marin, San Francisco, Sonoma and Napa
A gentle CO2 laser treatment is an effective way to transform your appearance and rejuvenate your skin. As we age, the skin’s levels of collagen and elastin, the proteins that help it maintain its youthfulness, naturally decline. This, as well as other factors including sun exposure, lifestyle habits, genetics, and more, can lead to the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, laxity, and other unwanted imperfections. Gentle CO2 lasers are designed to resurface your skin and raise collagen levels, creating a smoother, healthier appearance.
Led by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Yngvar A. Hvistendahl, the team at Plastic Surgery Specialists has helped many patients improve their appearance and self-esteem with innovative, personalized procedures like gentle CO2 laser treatments.
To explore your skin rejuvenation options, contact our office online or call (415) 925-2880 and schedule a consultation today!
Contents
About Gentle CO2 Laser Treatments
Skin resurfacing treatments are often praised as an effective way to rejuvenate the skin and restore a youthful glow. Clinical trials show that CO2 lasers have effectively reduced wrinkles around the eyes and throughout the face by removing damaged skin cells and stimulating collagen production. (1,2) These gentle-but-powerful lasers can transform your appearance by targeting dead and damaged cells, refreshing your skin, and increasing collagen production without the need for invasive surgery.
The CO2 Laser Difference
CO2 lasers are ablative, meaning they remove the outermost layer of the skin, revealing the fresh, healthy skin underneath. The heat generated by the lasers causes the skin to contract, helping to renew the treatment area. (3) Unlike nonablative lasers that work without removing the top layer of the skin, CO2 lasers can offer more impactful results by addressing surface-level concerns while rejuvenating deeper tissue simultaneously.
Benefits
There are several benefits to CO2 laser treatments, which include:
- Smoother skin: Reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles can help you enjoy a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance.
- A more even skin tone: Revealing fresh layers of skin and addressing blemishes will help you enjoy a more even skin texture and tone for several years after treatment. (4)
- Diminished scar visibility: Raising collagen levels can also address the appearance of raised (hypertrophic) scars or sunken scars, further contributing to clear, attractive skin. (5)
- Increased collagen production: Raising your collagen levels refreshes the skin and helps it heal itself better, resulting in long-term improvements.
- Customizable treatment options: Each CO2 laser procedure is custom-tailored to your unique concerns and goals.
- Long-lasting results: In addition to collagen increases, we will provide you with instructions on how to best care for your skin and prolong your enhancements.
Who is a Good Candidate?
Any patient who wishes to rejuvenate their appearance or address specific concerns can be a suitable candidate for a gentle CO2 laser treatment. Suitable candidates should have realistic expectations about what they can achieve with the treatment, and they should be in good overall health without any active skin infections or conditions that could interfere with treatment or healing.
Consultation
Your gentle CO2 laser treatment will begin with a personal consultation. During this appointment, we will examine your skin and ask about your medical history, skincare routine, and aesthetic goals to create an effective treatment plan. Some patients require a series of treatments, depending on the condition of their skin.
During your consultation, we will explain what you can expect from treatment and plan what the most effective process will be.
Patients who wish to address multiple concerns can explore their options at this time. We also encourage patients to sign up for our newsletter to learn more about treatment options.
Schedule your consultation today by submitting our online contact form. If you have any questions or prefer to schedule over the phone, please call us at (415) 925-2880.
Preparation
To prepare for a laser treatment, you should avoid excessive sun exposure that could cause sunburns or worsen your skin concerns. We also may advise patients to stop using nicotine, alcohol, blood-thinning medications or supplements, and any harsh skincare products. In addition to these guidelines, we will provide specific instructions based on your personalized treatment plan.
Treatment Process
We will begin your treatment by cleansing your skin. Depending on your sensitivity and preferred comfort levels, we may apply a topical anesthetic, though this is not always required. We will administer the laser energy to your skin in an even pattern, carefully addressing all of your concerns. We may make multiple passes to ensure an even distribution of energy throughout the targeted areas. As the laser passes over your skin, the outermost layers will be removed, and collagen production will begin, leading to refreshed, healthier skin.
This session can take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the condition of your skin, your goals, and the size of the treatment area.
After Your Treatment
After your treatment, you can immediately return home to rest. We recommend avoiding wearing makeup until your skin heals and any scabs have naturally fallen off. Do not pick at the skin, as this can cause scarring. Harsh skincare products and excessive sun exposure should also be avoided while the skin recovers.
The skin may appear red or pink after your treatment, but this side effect will fade as you heal. It will be important to take good care of your skin during your recovery. If we prescribe ointments or creams, you should use them consistently to help your skin heal.
Results
After a CO2 treatment, you can enjoy a more even skin tone and healthier-looking skin. This treatment can reduce the appearance of targeted irregularities or discoloration. Staying consistent with your treatment plan, whether that is receiving multiple treatments or carefully following a proper skincare routine, will help you achieve the results you desire and maintain them long-term.
Corresponding Procedures
Morpheus8
Morpheus8 is a combined microneedling and radiofrequency treatment. As tiny needles puncture your skin, collagen production and healing processes are stimulated, and these effects are increased by gently heating the skin with radiofrequencies. This treatment can diminish the appearance of fine lines, acne scars, wrinkles, and more, resulting in smooth, clear, youthful-looking skin.
EZ PRF Gel
EZ PRF Gel is an injectable infused with growth factors that replenishes facial volume while encouraging collagen and elastin production. This nutrient-rich serum can rejuvenate the skin, reduce fine lines, and reduce the appearance of under-eye bags by helping your body produce new cells.
Exosomes
Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that enhance intercellular communication, allowing your immune system to work more effectively. After a laser procedure, administering exosomes may improve your immune system response, resulting in reduced inflammation, less redness, and potentially enhanced results.
The Cost of Gentle CO2 Laser Treatments in Marin County
The cost of a gentle CO2 laser treatment will depend on the size of the treatment area, the condition of your skin, and the issues you hope to address. After assessing your goals during your consultation, we will provide an all-inclusive price quote. Plastic Surgery Specialists also offers financing plans to make treatments more accessible.
Contact our office online or call (415) 925-2880 to schedule a consultation and learn more about the costs associated with CO2 laser treatments.
FAQ
How many CO2 treatment sessions will I need to achieve results?
Some patients can achieve their goals after only one session, but most concerns are best addressed with a series of sessions. We will determine how many sessions you will benefit from during your consultation.
Are there any side effects of laser resurfacing?
CO2 lasers can cause inflammation, redness, and tenderness. However, these side effects often go away on their own as the skin heals. We will explain any possible side effects and instruct you on how to manage them during your personal consultation.
How soon can I return to normal activities after a CO2 laser treatment?
You can return to normal activities soon afterward, but you will need to take certain precautions as your skin heals. We recommend avoiding excessive sun exposure and direct sunlight for at least two weeks and following aftercare instructions carefully.
When can I wear makeup after CO2 treatments?
You should avoid wearing makeup while your skin is sensitive from the treatment to prevent irritation. Most patients can wear makeup again after 5-10 days.
References
- 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
- Kotlus BS. Dual-Depth Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser Resurfacing for Periocular Rhytidosis. Dermatologic Surgery. 2010;36(5):623-628. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2010.01516.x
- 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
- Tretti Clementoni M, Galimberti M, Tourlaki A, Catenacci M, Lavagno R, Bencini PL. Random fractional ultrapulsed CO2 resurfacing of photodamaged facial skin: long-term evaluation. Lasers in Medical Science. 2012;28(2):643-650. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-012-1116-1
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
