CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing

CO2 laser resurfacing has long been considered the gold standard for reversing wrinkles, sun damage, age spots, acne scars, and other signs of aging. While CO2 lasers are effective in improving skin texture and helping you develop that youthful glow, they typically have risks and significant downtime. That is, until now. Our laser skin resurfacing treatments, including the CoolPeel® CO2 laser, use revolutionary laser technology that allows you to get the benefits of traditional CO2 resurfacing procedures but with minimal pain and downtime.

Types of Laser Skin Resurfacing

At LUMEN, we offer three levels of laser skin resurfacing that differ in their intensity, healing process, and downtime.

Laser Peel

This cutting-edge treatment gently removes the top layer of your skin, revealing a smoother, fresher complexion beneath. Our laser peels are designed to stimulate collagen production, reducing signs of aging and enhancing your skin’s natural glow. Each session is tailored to your unique needs to renew and revitalize your skin. A laser peel is similar to a CoolPeel treatment, but has very little downtime.

CoolPeel CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing

CoolPeel is a CO2 fractional ablative treatment that precisely targets the superficial layer of skin. The CoolPeel laser treatment helps in removing damaged skin tissue while simultaneously triggering your body’s wound healing response and stimulating the production of new collagen. It tightens the skin and makes it firm by delivering laser energy.

DEKA Pulse Laser Skin Resurfacing

The DEKA Pulse Laser is a cutting-edge medical laser system renowned for its versatility and efficacy in skincare treatments. This cutting-edge laser technology is designed to address a wide range of skin concerns, from fine lines and wrinkles to scarring, discoloration, and textural irregularities. The laser’s high peak powers allow for it to be highly customizable at varying depths and treatment strengths. Overall, the DEKA Pulse Laser serves as a one-stop solution for diverse aesthetic and medical applications.

Laser Skin Resurfacing Before and After

Our before and after images of the laser resurfacing procedure feature patients and the visible results to their improved skin quality and texture. They are proof that a minimally invasive laser can achieve superior results.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Benefits of CO2 Laser Treatment

Skin Rejuvenation

If you have wrinkles, fine lines, or sun damage, CO2 laser treatment can help improve your skin’s appearance. The heat from the laser helps stimulate the production of collagen, a protein that helps keep your skin firm and elastic.

Improves Pigmentation

Another great benefit of CO2 laser therapy is that it can help improve the appearance of pigmentation issues, such as sun spots, age spots, and melasma. It can reverse damage caused by sun exposure while improving your overall skin tone and texture.

Removes Precancerous Growths

If you have actinic keratosis, a precancerous skin condition, you may notice discolored or scaly patches of skin. The CoolPeel CO2 laser skin resurfacing treatment will remove these old skin cells, lowering your risk of these skin lesions turning malignant.

Minimal Side Effects and Shorter Recovery Time

Generally, redness and tenderness in the treated areas last only a day or two. However, you can get back to life and normal activities immediately. Traditional CO2 lasers typically have at least 1-2 weeks of downtime, but laser peel and CoolPeel have little to no downtime.

How the Laser Skin Resurfacing Procedure Works

The laser rejuvenates the skin by heating the water molecules in your skin’s deeper layers, causing controlled damage using a small dot pattern on the skin. The laser uses extremely short energy pulses and a unique spray pattern that prevents thermal damage to the skin. After your treatment, the ablated skin will peel off, revealing smoother, younger-looking, and healthy skin. Laser skin resurfacing also stimulates collagen production for a skin-tightening benefit. It takes just 5 to 15 minutes to complete a full treatment on the face, while other ablative laser treatments can take up to two hours, depending on the size of the treatment area.

How to Prepare for CO2 Laser Resurfacing

We’ll provide instructions to prepare for your laser procedure a week in advance. Preparation includes keeping the skin moisturized, drinking more water, and avoiding increased sun exposure. You’ll also need to stop topical retinol therapy 3-4 days before treatment.

What You Can Expect During the Procedure

The laser is so gentle that no anesthesia or local numbing is required. However, you may receive numbing cream before the procedure for added comfort. During laser treatment, we will run the laser device over the treatment area, allowing the laser to penetrate the entire surface of your skin. As you receive treatment, you just sit back and relax! The laser treatment takes just a few minutes.

Fraxel Laser vs CO2 Laser Therapy

CO2 lasers are considered ablative lasers, targeting the superficial layer in your epidermis to reveal the healthier-looking skin underneath. CO2 laser therapy has always been a great choice for dramatically reducing the appearance of fine lines, deeper wrinkles, and acne scars. This treatment also has skin tightening benefits as well.

Fraxel was one of the first fractionated lasers and is another type of laser therapy that also works well for acne scars and texture. Fractionated lasers are non-ablative lasers, so they spare areas of tissue, allowing for quicker healing and a reduced chance of side effects.

Another benefit of the CO2 laser is that the power and depth of penetration can be customized for each patient. Depending on your goals and lifestyle for downtime, you may prefer lighter Laser Peel treatment or the more aggressive DEKA Pulse treatment. The CoolPeel laser is between those two treatments and the CO2 laser can be adjusted based on the amount of energy and spacing of the energy beams. While it removes tissue, it does so with less thermal injury than a traditional Fraxel laser.

CO2 Laser Treatment Cost

The cost of laser resurfacing varies by patient and depends on the type of treatment, your specific goals, the size of the area being treated, and the number of treatments needed. During your complimentary consultation at The Lumen Center, we’ll customize your treatment plan to your goals and discuss the specific price in detail.

Laser Skin Resurfacing Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I’m a good candidate for laser skin resurfacing?

Laser skin resurfacing is best for those looking to reduce fine lines, sun damage, textural irregularities, and blemishes on the skin. When you come to The Lumen Center for a free consultation, we’ll assess your skin type and condition to determine if you are a good candidate for laser treatment.

How long does treatment take?

Treatment sessions are typically quick and last 5-15 minutes.

How many sessions will I need?

We’ll discuss your goals and downtime expectations to create a treatment plan for you. Typically, treatments with 1-2 days of downtime are performed in 3-4 sessions (spaced a month apart). More aggressive DEKA Pulse treatments may require only 1-2 sessions to yield optimal results.

Does laser skin resurfacing hurt?

You may feel a warm, slightly tingling sensation as the laser passes over your skin, but it should not be painful. Before the procedure, we’ll apply a topical anesthetic to ensure you are comfortable throughout the procedure.

What can I expect after treatment?

After the laser peel and CoolPeel treatments, it’s important to keep your skin moisturized and apply sunscreen. For a day or two post-procedure, your face may be red (like a sunburn) and slightly swollen. You may notice that the dotted, grid-like areas have a rough texture and are slightly more noticeable, perhaps even turning brown. This change is a completely normal part of the skin’s healing process.

During days 2-7, your face may still be pink or brown and somewhat puffy. Peeling will begin during this time. It’s important that you let the skin naturally slough off, as picking or peeling it off may result in permanent scarring or discoloration. You’ll also want to avoid extended periods in the sun and harsh skincare products. One week after the procedure, you may resume your normal skincare regimen. If you are having more than one laser treatment to achieve the desired results, your skin is ready for the next session one month after the previous treatment.

The recovery process for DEKA Pulse laser treatments is similar as CoolPeel treatments. Since they can vary in intensity, the recovery time is usually 7-10 days of downtime. We’ll provide detailed post-care instructions and answer any questions you may have.

How long do results last after CO2 laser resurfacing?

The full effects of your CO2 laser skin resurfacing results appear after you are finished all of your treatments and are completely healed, usually a few weeks after your final treatment. If you use proper sun protection and limited prolonged sun exposure, results can last for approximately five years. Fine lines and expression wrinkles may return sooner, but BOTOX and fillers can help maintain a smooth, wrinkle-free appearance.

Is laser treatment an alternative to a facelift procedure?

Laser skin resurfacing is not an alternative to a facelift since each procedure addresses different concerns. A facelift such as the Lumen Lift works underneath the skin to remove fat, increase volume in the upper face, and tighten sagging skin in the neck, chin, and jowls. On the other hand, the Laser Peel, CoolPeel, and DEKA Pulse treatments primarily focus on the layers of the skin to correct issues with skin tone and texture. They can also provide skin tightening effects that is applied to the surface of the skin with laser energy.

Recovery After CO2 Laser Therapy

Laser Peels are typically associated with 1-2 days of downtime and CoolPeel treatments can range from 3-5 days of recovery with minimal symptoms. Since it is a stronger treatment with fewer sessions, the DEKA Pulse laser treatment is associated with 7-10 days of downtime. For the first day or so after treatment, you may experience redness similar to a sunburn. Your skin will feel slightly rough to the touch for 1-2 weeks. Once you pass the rough skin stage of healing, your skin will feel tighter, softer, and look more even.

It is important to keep the skin hydrated, as it can easily become dry. However, do not cleanse the area for 24 hours.

Taking special care after the procedure is as important as the treatment itself! We’ll provide you with detailed aftercare instructions. While results will vary, you’ll notice an improvement to your skin after just one treatment – it will feel tighter, softer, and look more even.

Is Laser Resurfacing Right for You?

If you want a minimally-invasive laser treatment to help you achieve glowing and gorgeous skin, then a CO2 laser skin resurfacing procedure may be right for you. It has amazing benefits, including fewer side effects and minimal downtime compared to other laser treatments.

Our team at The Lumen Center will help you get the best results possible and restore the natural appearance of your healthier, younger-looking skin. In addition to treating patients with laser skin resurfacing, The Lumen Center offers a range of facial injectables, microneedling, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and all your skincare needs. Our Bryn Mawr office is located just outside the Philadelphia area near Haverford, Bala Cynwyd, and Newtown Square on the Main Line.