Are CO2 Laser Treatments Safe for Darker Skin?

CO2 laser resurfacing requires additional consideration in patients with darker skin tones because of the increased risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and other pigment changes. Whether treatment is appropriate depends on factors such as skin type, treatment depth and intensity, and the patient’s individual risk factors. Dr. Jones can evaluate your skin during a consultation and discuss whether CO2 resurfacing or another treatment would be the safer choice.

How Many CO2 Laser Treatment Sessions Will I Need?

The number of CO2 laser treatment sessions required depends on the issues being addressed and the laser power used. Typically, patients will need only one CO2 laser treatment session. If multiple sessions are required, months must pass between sessions to allow the skin to heal fully.

How Long Until I See the Results of CO2 Laser Treatments?

In the first one to four weeks after a CO2 laser treatment, Philadelphia patients notice their overly large pores have shrunk, their skin looks brighter and smoother, and certain surface-level skin issues have improved. After four to six weeks, age lines fade, and pigmentation improves. After three to six months, skin looks firmer, and scars look better. After six to twelve months, increased collagen levels help the skin tighten further, and results continue to improve.

Bala cynwyd, PA & Main Line

CO2 Laser Treatment

Anchored in vitality

Introduction to CO2 Laser Treatment

Sun damage, uneven texture, fine lines, and acne scars can gradually change the quality of your skin, even when you take good care of it. CO2 laser resurfacing offers a more intensive approach to skin rejuvenation by removing damaged surface layers while stimulating new collagen beneath the skin.

At Evan Jones, MD, in Bala Cynwyd, PA, Dr. Evan Jones uses Lumenis CO2 laser technology to customize treatment based on each patient’s skin, concerns, and goals. Patients from the Main Line and greater Philadelphia area can turn to our practice for treatment designed to improve skin texture, tone, and overall quality while supporting natural-looking results.

$A woman with short, dark wavy hair and red lipstick looking off to the side. She is outdoors, with sunlight filtering through trees in the background, highlighting her facial structure and profile. - Nasal fracture repair in Los Angeles, CA$

What Is a CO2 Laser Treatment?

CO2 lasers are a gold-standard treatment option for laser skin resurfacing. CO2 lasers emit pulses of energy at a chosen wavelength. This energy increases the temperature, heating the water molecules in the skin. As a result, this evaporates the dead and damaged skin layers. This encourages the body’s natural healing process to create new skin cells.

The heat created by CO2 laser treatments also affects the deeper skin layers, triggering fibroblasts to create new collagen and elastin protein fibers. This, in turn, tightens the skin and restores structure.

At our clinic, we use Lumenis CO2 laser technology. Lumenis CO2 laser treatments can treat the entire area or deliver energy to numerous tiny sections (called fractional ablation). By leaving healthy skin tissue untreated, fractional ablation speeds healing, since these healthy areas help heal the treated regions.

What Are the Benefits of a CO2 Laser Treatment?

CO2 laser treatments offer a wide variety of benefits. These treatments can:

Smooth out rough texture
Fade wrinkles
Reduce the appearance of scars, including acne scarring
Correct uneven complexion
Treat dark spots
Restore a rosy glow to dull skin
Tighten lax skin
Give skin a more youthful appearance

Your CO2 Laser Treatment Consultation

During your CO2 laser treatment consultation, you’ll meet with Dr. Jones.

You’ll tell Dr. Jones about your treatment goals.
Dr. Jones will carefully examine the treatment area.
He will ask questions about your skincare routine, lifestyle, and medical history, including current medications and underlying health conditions.
Dr. Jones will give you a step-by-step description of the CO2 laser treatment process, including preparation and aftercare. Questions are welcome at any time.

What to Expect on the Day of a CO2 Laser Treatment

Typically, CO2 laser treatments take about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the severity of the issues being addressed and the size and number of areas being treated; sessions can take longer when the full face is being treated.

First, the treatment area is cleaned to remove makeup and skincare products. Eye protection is then placed over the eyes to keep them safe from the laser energy. Local anesthesia is administered for patient comfort, and sedation may be included for added comfort. In cases where the full face is being treated, general anesthesia may be required.

Once anesthesia is administered, the CO2 laser is calibrated to achieve the patient’s cosmetic goals safely. Dr. Jones then uses the laser handpiece to target the treatment areas with laser energy evenly.

A surgeon in blue scrubs, a surgical mask, and a lighted headlamp stands in an operating room giving a double thumbs-up.- Facelift in Los Angeles, CA

Combining CO2 Laser with Other Treatments

CO2 laser treatments can safely be paired with other skin treatments, including BOTOX and dermal fillers, provided the treatments are timed correctly.

BOTOX

BOTOX is a neuromodulator injectable used to smooth away crow’s feet, forehead lines, and other fine age lines. This can be combined with CO2 laser skin resurfacing for targeted facial rejuvenation. Typically the botox treatment would be performed 2 weeks prior to the CO2 laser procedure to allow for wrinkles to be targeted more evenly and effectively.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are injectables administered to create instant volume, filling facial depressions and moderate to severe wrinkles. Pairing this with CO2 laser treatments can create a more youthful, revitalized look.

CO2 Laser Treatment Aftercare

Your Guide to Post-CO2 Laser Treatment Care

Typically, a CO2 laser treatment requires around one to two weeks of recovery. The exact recovery time depends on treatment intensity.

After the treatment, the provider will apply ointment to the skin. If general anesthesia or sedation is used, patients will need a ride home from a friend or family member after the treatment session. Once home, they can rest and let their tissues heal.

During recovery, the treated area may be swollen, dry, itchy, and red. To address these issues, patients must keep their head elevated at all times and apply an ice pack as directed. Patients must carefully clean the treatment area and apply ointment as directed several times a day.

After about one week, the skin in the treated area will start to peel away, gently revealing new skin. Patients must avoid picking at the peeling skin or removing it themselves, since this can lead to complications.

Patients should make sure to apply moisturizer to the new skin, along with broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunblock. Avoiding prolonged sun exposure is key, since the new skin will be prone to sun damage for a time. It’s also best to avoid physically taxing activities like sports and heavy exercise while the skin recovers.

How Much Does a CO2 Laser Treatment Cost in Philadelphia, PA?

The cost of a CO2 laser treatment in the Philadelphia area is based on several factors. Factors that can impact price include the size and number of treatment areas, the patient’s aesthetic goals, and the severity of the issues being treated.

Why Choose Dr. Jones for CO2 Laser Treatments?

Patients from the Main Line and the greater Philadelphia area trust our clinic to provide high-quality CO2 laser treatments. At our Bala Cynwyd, PA, facility, Dr. Evan Jones, a fellowship-trained facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon with a background in otolaryngology (ENT), performs the laser treatments. Dr. Jones is affiliated with both the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) and the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNSF).

Dr. Jones has a great deal of experience performing advanced skin treatments, along with cosmetic and reconstructive facial procedures. He has the skill needed to create natural-looking results.

He attended medical school at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia. Afterward, he completed his residency in Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Jones followed this with a fellowship in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at Houston Methodist Hospital.

A surgeon in dark scrubs ties a blue surgical cap behind his head while standing in a dimly lit operating room under bright surgical lights. - Procedure in Los Angeles, CA

Schedule Your Consultation

If sun damage, uneven texture, wrinkles, or acne scars are keeping your skin from looking as smooth and refreshed as you would like, CO2 laser resurfacing may be worth considering. During your consultation, Dr. Jones can evaluate your skin, discuss the changes you would like to see, and determine whether CO2 laser treatment is appropriate for you.

Contact Evan Jones, MD, in Bala Cynwyd, PA, to schedule your consultation. Our practice welcomes patients from Bryn Mawr, the Main Line, and the greater Philadelphia area seeking personalized facial and skin rejuvenation.

CO2 Laser Treatment FAQ’S

CO2 laser resurfacing requires additional consideration in patients with darker skin tones because of the increased risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and other pigment changes. Whether treatment is appropriate depends on factors such as skin type, treatment depth and intensity, and the patient’s individual risk factors. Dr. Jones can evaluate your skin during a consultation and discuss whether CO2 resurfacing or another treatment would be the safer choice.
In the first one to four weeks after a CO2 laser treatment, Philadelphia patients notice their overly large pores have shrunk, their skin looks brighter and smoother, and certain surface-level skin issues have improved.

After four to six weeks, age lines fade, and pigmentation improves. After three to six months, skin looks firmer, and scars look better. After six to twelve months, increased collagen levels help the skin tighten further, and results continue to improve.

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