Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Resurfacing

Consultations offered at our two convenient locations in Lake Havasu and Kingman, AZ

The CO2 resurfacing laser is an ablative treatment that uses focused light energy to target and minimize skin irregularities such as wrinkles, scars, and blemishes, and to remove damaged layers to reveal healthier, more youthful skin. 

At Prima Medical Care in Lake Havasu City, board-certified emergency medicine physician Dr. Michael Colonna leads a team of dedicated professionals who specialize in providing our patients with personalized, comprehensive care. 

To learn more about the transformative aesthetic benefits of CO2 resurfacing treatment, call our offices at (928) 302-3798 or contact Prima Medical Care online. 

About CO2 Resurfacing

The CO2 resurfacing laser acts as a powerful reset button for your skin! By using focused light energy, this advanced ablative treatment targets damaged surface cells, prompting your body’s natural healing mechanisms to spring into action. When the water within your skin cells absorbs the laser energy, it gently vaporizes the damaged outer layers. (1) This process does two critical things: it corrects imperfections like sun damage, fine lines, and uneven texture, and it delivers heat to the deeper dermis. This heat is the key to lasting rejuvenation, as it signals your body to increase collagen production, creating firmer, healthier skin from the inside out. (2)

Understanding Fractional Technology

The “fractional” in CO2 laser resurfacing represents a significant advancement in aesthetic medicine. Unlike older generation laser treatments that resurfaced an entire skin area at once, often leading to longer downtime, our CO2 lasers deliver energy in a precise, grid-like pattern of micro-beams. (3) This approach treats tiny, concentrated columns of skin while leaving surrounding areas completely untouched. By keeping healthy boundaries between treatment zones, your body’s healing process can speed up significantly. This results in faster healing times, enhanced safety, and a reduced risk of side effects, all while still providing transformative resurfacing effects. 

Benefits

CO2 laser resurfacing offers an effective approach to skin rejuvenation, providing both immediate and enduring aesthetic improvements. Notable benefits include: 

  • Wrinkle Reduction: Effectively softens deep creases, fine lines, and crow’s feet around the eyes and mouth. 
  • Enhanced Skin Texture: Smooths rough patches and uneven skin surface, leaving your skin feeling soft and refreshed. 
  • Scar Treatment: Significantly improves the appearance of acne scars and surgical scars by remodeling the underlying collagen. 
  • Pigmentation Correction: Fades sun spots, age spots, and other uneven pigmentation, resulting in a more even and radiant skin tone. 
  • Collagen Stimulation: Triggers a long-term increase in collagen and elastin, helping your skin maintain its structure, firmness, and youthful appearance over time. 
  • Customizable Intensity: We can adjust the laser depth settings to match your specific goals, whether you are seeking a subtle refresh or a more dramatic transformation. 

Candidates

You are likely a good candidate for CO2 resurfacing if you are in overall good health and want to address concerns such as fine lines, scarring, sun damage, and uneven skin texture. We recommend this treatment for patients who have realistic expectations about the process. We will fully determine your candidacy during your personal consultation. While CO2 resurfacing is safe for most skin types, we may recommend an alternative or modified approach if you have any active skin infections, certain autoimmune disorders, or a history of keloid scarring. 

Personal Consultation

Your treatment begins with a personal consultation at one of our Prima Medical Care offices. Here, we focus on learning about your unique concerns and aesthetic goals. We will carefully evaluate your skin, discuss your medical history, and review any previous treatments you may have tried. This is the perfect time to ask questions about the recovery process, expected results, or how to integrate this treatment into your current skincare routine. We use all this information to create a customized treatment plan that aligns with your specific needs and provides you with confidence to move forward. 

To request your personal consultation at Prima Medical Care, call our offices at (928) 302-3798 or contact us online. 

Preparation

Preparing your skin is the first step toward a safe and effective treatment. Dr. Colonna and the team will provide you with a customized guide, but general steps include: 

  • Stay hydrated in the days before treatment to support skin health.
  • Avoid excessive sun exposure or tanning beds for at least two weeks before your treatment to protect skin from potential side effects.
  • Pause the use of skincare with harsh ingredients, such as retinoids and exfoliants. 
  • Discontinue use of certain blood-thinning or acne-treating medications and supplements.
  • If you smoke, we strongly recommend abstaining from nicotine, at least temporarily, to support efficient healing.

Procedure

When you arrive for your treatment appointment, a member of our team will gently cleanse your skin to remove any impurities and apply a topical anesthetic to the treatment area to ensure your comfort. Once your skin is prepared, Dr. Colonna will calibrate the CO2 laser to your specific treatment settings.  

He will pass the laser handpiece over your skin in precise, controlled sweeps. You may feel a warm, tingling sensation or a light snapping feeling as the laser works. We typically circulate cold air over the area to keep your skin cool and comfortable throughout the process. Depending on your goals and the treatment area, the procedure typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes. Once finished, we will apply a cooling, protective ointment and provide you with post-treatment care instructions. 

Recovery

Immediately after your procedure, your skin may feel similar to a mild-to-moderate sunburn. You may experience swelling and redness in the first few days. It is imperative to keep your skin hydrated with the medical-grade ointments we provide. As your skin begins the deeper healing process around day four, you may notice some flaking or the formation of tiny crusts. Try not to itch or pick these; let them fall off naturally to avoid scarring.

During the first two weeks, avoid intense exercise, hot showers, saunas, and direct sun exposure. Once the initial healing phase is complete (typically around 10-14 days), you can gradually return to your normal makeup routine, and be sure to wear high-quality sunscreen every day.

Results

While you may see immediate improvements in skin brightness once the initial redness subsides, the true magic of CO2 resurfacing develops over time. As your body produces new collagen, your skin will continue to tighten, smooth out, and improve in quality for two to six months following treatment. The result is a vibrant, refreshed appearance. With proper sun protection and a good skincare routine, your results can last for several years, helping you feel more confident and radiant in your own skin. 

Corresponding Procedures 

To help you achieve comprehensive rejuvenation, we often recommend pairing CO2 resurfacing with other treatments. We can discuss suitable options that align with your goals during your personal consultation. 

Jeuveau®

Jeuveau is a neuromodulator that temporarily smooths moderate-to-severe frown lines between the eyebrows caused by dynamic muscle movement. By relaxing the underlying muscle activity, it offers a refreshed, rejuvenated appearance that complements the skin-resurfacing benefits of your CO2 laser treatment.

Medical-Grade Skincare (ClearStem)

ClearStem medical-grade skincare is our customizable home-care protocol. These products work synergistically with your CO2 laser treatment by delivering potent ingredients that support healing, maintain long-term skin health, and protect your rejuvenated complexion.

Cost of CO2 Resurfacing in Lake Havasu City, AZ

The cost of your CO2 resurfacing treatment will depend on the size of the treatment area and the depth of the resurfacing required to meet your aesthetic goals. Because every patient’s needs are unique, we provide personalized quotes only after evaluating your skin during a consultation. 

To learn more about CO2 resurfacing and request a personal consultation, call (928) 302-3798 or submit our online contact form. 

FAQ

How many CO2 resurfacing sessions will I need?

Many patients can achieve significant results in just one session! However, depending on the severity of your concerns, such as deep acne scars, we may recommend a series of treatments to achieve an optimal outcome. 

Is CO2 resurfacing treatment painful?

We use topical numbing agents to ensure comfort. Most patients describe the sensation as a mild, manageable warmth. 

When can I wear makeup again?

You should avoid makeup while your skin is in the active healing phase to keep the surface clean. Typically, most individuals can resume wearing mineral-based cosmetics or tinted sunscreen once the initial peeling has subsided, usually around the 10-day mark. 

How long will the results last?

Because the CO2 resurfacing stimulates your body’s ongoing collagen production, the results can last for several years. Yearly maintenance treatments can help top off your collagen levels and keep your skin looking consistently fresh and youthful. 

References

  1. Yumeen S, Khan T. Laser Carbon Dioxide Resurfacing. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560544/ 
  2. Ramsdell W. Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser Resurfacing. Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2012;26(03):125-130. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1329414 
  3. Omi T, Numano K. The Role of the CO2 Laser and Fractional CO2 Laser in Dermatology. Laser Therapy. 2014;23(1):49-60. doi:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3999431/