CO2 Laser Resurfacing

Resurfacing pricing begins with what the laser is doing and how long you are out of routine afterward. Cleveland Clinic says recovery time with CO2 laser resurfacing is up to two weeks. A figure that ignores that downtime is only part of the picture.

How the newer CO2 lasers work

WebMD describes the newest version, fractionated CO2, as using very short pulsed light energy, known as ultrapulse, or continuous light beams delivered in a scanning pattern to remove thin layers of skin with minimal heat damage. Knowing which kind of laser a quote refers to is the first thing to confirm.

Two clinical papers are useful background. One is a review of physician-directed lasers, chemical peels and other noninvasive modalities for facial rejuvenation. The other covers fractional CO2 laser resurfacing complications.

Questions to raise, from first visit to healing

• What is carbon dioxide laser resurfacing?
• What can be expected during and after CO2 laser resurfacing?
• How many days does CO2 laser healing take?
• How should skin be cared for after CO2 laser resurfacing?
• What are the risks of CO2 laser resurfacing?

Before you ask what it costs

Know which skin concern you want treated and how much time you can set aside for healing. Ask what the figure covers, including aftercare, and whether it is an estimate or a quote for your skin. Rancho Cordova readers planning around a work schedule can take the healing-time and aftercare questions above into that conversation.