CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing

Injectables can smooth expression lines and restore volume, but they do not fix skin texture, enlarged pores, sun damage, or crepey skin. These concerns originate within the skin itself and require a treatment that can address damaged tissue at its source.

At Saratoga Springs Plastic Surgery, Dr. Dimitri Koumanis offers advanced CO2 laser skin resurfacing using the latest carbon dioxide laser technology. This treatment allows us to safely treat wrinkles associated with aging and sun exposure, improve sun damage, and correct pigmentation problems by stimulating the skin to rebuild itself.

Often described as the gold standard for skin aging, CO2 laser resurfacing is the treatment plastic surgeons rely on when patients want more than a subtle improvement — they want meaningful, long-lasting skin renewal.

• What Is CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing?
• How CO2 Laser Resurfacing Works
• Concerns Treated by CO2 Laser Resurfacing
• CO2 Laser Resurfacing Candidates
• CO2 Laser Resurfacing Treatment
• CO2 Laser Resurfacing Recovery
• CO2 Laser Resurfacing Results
• CO2 Laser Resurfacing vs. Other Treatments
• Complementary Treatments

What Is CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing?

A CO2 fractional laser is a medical-grade device designed to resurface the skin and stimulate regeneration at a structural level. While many treatments focus on surface-level improvement, CO2 laser resurfacing works deeper within the skin to replace damaged tissue.

For patients who feel burned out by endless facials, light lasers, or injectables that never fully address skin quality, CO2 laser resurfacing offers something different: one treatment that can reverse years of accumulated damage rather than manage it temporarily.

How Does CO2 Laser Resurfacing Work?

A CO2 laser fires thousands of microscopic beams into the skin, creating tiny, controlled columns of injury while leaving the surrounding skin intact. This process sends a clear signal to the body that the skin is damaged and needs to be replaced.

As healing occurs, the body produces new collagen, elastin, and skin cells, leading to thicker, firmer skin and improved elasticity. Over the next three to six months, the skin gradually reconstructs itself from the inside out. This is why CO2 laser resurfacing is often described as a full skin reset rather than a maintenance treatment.

What Concerns Does CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing Treat?

CO2 laser resurfacing is highly effective for treating:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Crepey skin
• Sun damage and age spots
• Pigmentation irregularities
• Large or visible pores
• Acne scars and textural irregularities
• Uneven skin tone
• Skin laxity around the eyes and mouth

Because of its depth and precision, CO2 laser resurfacing is often used to enhance results after facelift surgery or to address concerns in patients who are not ready for surgery.

Who Is a Candidate for CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing?

You may be a good candidate for CO2 laser resurfacing if you have sun-damaged skin with age spots or pigment changes; fine facial wrinkles around the lips, eyelids, forehead, or cheeks; uneven skin texture due to acne scarring or small skin growths; or enlarged pores, particularly on the nose.
A consultation is necessary to evaluate your skin type, goals, and medical history to determine whether CO2 laser resurfacing is the most appropriate treatment for you.

What Does the CO2 Laser Resurfacing Treatment Involve?

CO2 laser skin resurfacing is performed in our office using heavy sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of treatment and the individual needs of the patient. The entire face is most often treated as a single unit to avoid skin color mismatch, though smaller areas such as the skin around the mouth or eyes may be treated selectively.

The superficial layers of the skin are removed using the state-of-the-art UltraPulse^® CO2 laser. One of the key advantages of this technology is the exceptional control and predictability of treatment depth. In addition to smoothing wrinkles, the laser creates a tightening effect often described as a “shrink-wrap” response as the skin heals.

What Can I Expect in My CO2 Laser Resurfacing Recovery?

You will be provided with detailed written instructions prior to treatment. After the procedure, the treated areas are cared for with salt water soaks and ointment applied several times daily until healing is complete. Initial healing typically takes about 10 to 14 days, at which point most patients can resume normal daily activities.

Once healed, the skin should appear smoother and pinker. Any residual redness or pinkness gradually fades over several weeks to months as the skin continues to mature and strengthen.

What Results Can I Expect from CO2 Laser Resurfacing?

CO2 laser resurfacing produces dramatic results because it physically replaces damaged, sun-worn skin with newly regenerated tissue. By removing microscopic columns of old skin and stimulating deep collagen remodeling, the treatment creates brighter, smoother, tighter, and more youthful-looking skin at a structural level rather than providing a temporary surface improvement.

Patients often ask whether CO2 laser resurfacing offers a subtle refresh or a more noticeable change. The intended result is meaningful, long-lasting improvement in skin texture, tone, and firmness. Because the skin is rebuilt from within, results continue to improve over several months as collagen production increases.

This depth of skin renewal is why CO2 laser resurfacing is frequently used by plastic surgeons following facelift procedures and for scar revision, and why a single properly performed treatment can often replace years of skin care products, facials, chemical peels, and light laser treatments.

Real Patients, Real Results

73 year old before and two months after full face UltraPulse laser resurfacing. Note that although she is a candidate for a facelift to treat her neck platysma bands (loose neck skin), she did not desire “open” surgery and elected this skin surface treatment to achieve these dramatic results.

Before

After

Individual Results May Vary

View Gallery

CO2 Laser Resurfacing vs. Other Skin Rejuvenation Treatments

Many popular aesthetic treatments address only specific aspects of aging. Injectables such as BOTOX^® Cosmetic and dermal fillers target muscle movement or volume loss, while treatments like radiofrequency, IPL, and microneedling focus on mild tightening, pigment correction, or superficial collagen stimulation. These options can be effective for maintenance, but they do not replace damaged skin or significantly improve skin structure.

CO2 laser skin resurfacing works at a deeper level by removing sun-damaged tissue and stimulating robust collagen regeneration, forcing the skin to rebuild itself from the inside out. This ability to create true skin renewal is why CO2 laser resurfacing remains the gold standard for improving texture, tone, wrinkles, and overall skin quality, and why it is commonly used by Dr. Koumanis when lasting results are the goal.

Complementary Treatments for CO2 Laser Resurfacing

CO2 laser skin resurfacing can be combined with other procedures to further enhance results. Upper or lower eyelid lift surgery may be performed to address excess eyelid skin, and scar revision for acne scars can be done at the same time when appropriate.

Schedule a CO2 Laser Consultation

If you are tired of treatments that offer only temporary improvement and are ready for a true skin reset, CO2 laser skin resurfacing may be the right option. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact us today.

NOTE
The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for you can be determined only at the time of your consultation with Dr. Koumanis. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual. Most people are very happy with the results but no specific result can be guaranteed.

This procedure is done at our Joint Commission accredited office facility.