CO2 Laser Resurfacing

CO2 — carbon dioxide — laser resurfacing uses targeted beams of light to remove the superficial layer of your skin.

This type of laser treatment can:

• remove skin cancer

• address cosmetic skin issues, such as fine or deep lines, wrinkles, and acne scars

• treat areas of skin discoloration, like sunspots and age spots

Depending on the issue being addressed, a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon might also use fractional lasers, another type of CO2 lasers. Fractional lasers, however, are more superficial than traditional CO2 lasers, so they’re mainly used to address fine lines or blotchy skin.

C02 laser resurfacing uses pulses of laser light. These beams penetrate the skin’s surface, where water in the skin cells absorbs them.

When this happens, the epidermis, or superficial layer of your skin, is vaporized. The dermis, or middle layer, heats up, stimulating the growth of new collagen fibers. As the area heals, new firmer, smoother skin replaces the old layers.

During CO2 laser resurfacing, a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist can target specific areas of your skin with precision, so the treatment won’t affect the rest of the skin nearby.