CO2 Laserwash Before and After Photos

A carbon dioxide or CO₂ laser is a very powerful laser resurfacing device. It is the gold standard of laser resurfacing. Our board certified plastic and facial plastic surgeons have several decades of combined experience using this type of device. When used for resurfacing, sun damaged skin, fine lines, brown spots, and keratoses are literally washed away, hence the term, “Laserwash”.

At the Aesthetic Surgery Center, we offer fractional CO₂ and fully ablative CO₂ procedures. Fractional CO₂ refers to delivering the laser energy through very small focused channels, preserving some skin between the channels.

Ablative CO₂ resurfacing refers to removing the entire outer layer of skin. Ablative CO₂ is generally reserved for severe wrinkling and sun damage, as the downtime and risk is slightly higher than that of fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing. While fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing penetrates deeply, it preserves some intact skin with its pigment producing and skin regenerative cells, leading to less discomfort yet noticeable improvements. However, ablative CO₂ laser resurfacing gives maximal improvement, albeit with more downtime.

The best way to determine which of these treatment modalities is best for you is through an individual consultation with one of our board certified surgeons. CO₂ treatments can be performed on the full face, or on subunits of the face (i.e. around the eyes, around the mouth, the forehead, nose, etc…). You will see that your skin is smoother, brighter, and more toned after a CO₂ laser procedure. Please visit our photo gallery below to see the types of results that our patients achieve with a CO₂ Laserwash procedure.