Your Complete Guide To CO2 Laser Resurfacing

Nurse Georgi and Danni
1 day ago
6 min read

Dealing with acne scarring, uneven skin texture or lines that don’t seem to improve no matter what you try? Here's everything you need to know about CO2 Laser - our newest treatment at Sorella!

Woman preparing for CO2 laser resurfacing while wearing laser goggles.

What Is CO2 Laser Resurfacing?

CO2 laser resurfacing is one of our most requested treatments - and for good reason. It uses a carbon dioxide laser to remove the damaged surface layers of your skin, while simultaneously stimulating collagen and elastin production deeper within the skin.

It might sound intense, but the laser delivers energy in tiny, precise columns (known as fractional technology) creating microscopic areas of injury, leaving your surrounding skin untouched.

As your skin repairs, it restructures existing tissue, and replaces damaged cells with healthier ones.

This means that the result isn’t just fresher-looking skin on the surface. It’s stronger, more resilient skin that’s been rebuilt from within.

How Does CO2 Laser Actually Work?

This is the science bit! At a cellular level, CO2 laser resurfacing works through two key mechanisms - ablation and thermal stimulation.

The laser emits a wavelength of 10,600nm, which is highly absorbed by water. And because our skin is largely made up of water, this means the laser can precisely target skin tissue.

When the laser is delivered to the skin, it vaporises microscopic columns of damaged skin tissue and removes irregular, pigmented or scarred cells from the surface.

It also penetrates heat energy into the dermis, triggering a wound-healing response. This stimulates fibroblast activity, which produces collagen and elastin.

Over time, this leads to improved skin structure and thickness, smoother, more even texture and a reduction in visible scarring and lines.

So, What Skin Concerns Does CO2 Laser Resurfacing Treat?

One of the reasons we love CO2 laser resurfacing is that it’s not just focused on one specific issue. It improves the overall quality of your skin.

So rather than chasing multiple treatments for different concerns, this is one that works across the board.

Acne Scarring - If you’ve struggled with acne scarring, you’ll know it’s not something surface-level treatments can fully fix. CO2 laser works deeper within the skin, helping to break down scar tissue and stimulate new collagen. Over time, this softens the appearance of scars and smooths out uneven texture.

Fine Lines & Wrinkles - As we age, collagen naturally declines, which is what leads to lines and loss of firmness. By stimulating fresh collagen, CO2 laser helps to soften fine lines and improve deeper wrinkles, especially around areas like the eyes and mouth.

Sun Damage & Pigmentation - Years of sun exposure can leave the skin looking uneven, dull or patchy. CO2 laser gently removes those damaged surface cells, revealing clearer, brighter skin, while helping to even out overall tone.

Enlarged Pores - When skin lacks structure, pores can appear more visible. As collagen rebuilds and the skin becomes firmer, pores naturally look tighter and less noticeable.

Uneven Texture - Whether it’s roughness, bumpiness or just skin that doesn’t feel as smooth as it used to, CO2 laser helps to reset the surface. As new skin forms, texture becomes noticeably softer and more refined.

Scar Revision - CO2 laser resurfacing isn’t just effective for acne scarring. It can also improve the appearance of other types of scars, including surgical scars, injury-related scars and uneven healing. Over time, the treatment can soften the look of the scar, improve texture, and help it blend more naturally with the surrounding skin.

Overall Skin Quality - Even if you can’t quite put your finger on the issue, and your skin just doesn’t look or feel its best, this is where CO2 laser really stands out. It improves clarity, brightness and strength, giving your skin that healthier, more polished look that’s difficult to achieve with lighter treatments alone.

What To Expect Before, During & After

Because CO2 laser works a little deeper than most treatments, knowing what to expect can make the whole process feel much more straightforward.

Here’s what you can expect at each stage - from preparation through to healing.

Before Your Treatment

Everything starts with a consultation. This is where we take the time to properly assess your skin, understand your concerns and decide whether CO2 laser is the right option for you.

In the lead-up to your appointment, you might be advised to avoid sun exposure and pause certain active skincare ingredients. This is to make sure your skin is in the best possible condition for treatment and healing.

During The Treatment

On the day, your skin will be cleansed and a topical numbing cream applied to keep you comfortable.

Once the treatment begins, the laser is passed over the skin in a precise, controlled pattern. You’ll feel warmth and a slight prickling sensation, but most people find it very manageable.

The length of the appointment will depend on the area being treated, but typically ranges from around 30 minutes to an hour.

After The Treatment

Straight after treatment, your skin will feel warm and look red, similar to a sunburn. This is completely normal and expected.

Over the following days, your skin will start to feel tighter and drier, before moving into a natural peeling phase. This is where the old, damaged skin sheds and new, healthier skin begins to come through.

While this stage can feel a little unfamiliar, it’s an important part of skin renewal.

With the right aftercare, healing is straightforward, and you’ll start to notice improvements in texture, tone and overall skin quality as your skin continues to repair and rebuild.

Image showing downtime and after effects of CO2 laser resurfacing from day 1 to day 30 — *Image via Lumiderm*

And Downtime - What Does It Actually Look Like?

This is the part most people worry about, and where a lot of outdated information still circulates.

You won't be 'crispy' for weeks on end, and you won't have to hide away. At most, your skin will have almost healed entirely by day 7.

Day 1 - Skin feels hot, tight and red (similar to moderate sunburn). Swelling can occur, particularly around the eyes.

Day 2-3 - Redness continues, and skin may start to darken slightly as the treated tissue begins to dry out. You’ll notice tightness and the start of flaking.

Day 3-5 - Peeling becomes more noticeable. Skin may feel dry and textured as the old layer sheds.

Day 5-7 - Most of the peeling subsides. New skin is visible underneath - pink, fresh and more sensitive.

Week 2 - Skin continues to settle. Redness reduces significantly, and texture already appears smoother.

Month 1 - Collagen production is underway. Skin looks clearer, more even and more refined.

Month 3 - Full results are typically seen. Visible improvements in texture, tone and firmness. Skin appears stronger, smoother and significantly improved in overall quality.

Things To Consider Before Getting CO2 Laser Resurfacing

As we’ve already covered, CO2 laser does involve a longer healing period than many other treatments. So if you’ve got an event coming up or need your skin looking its best within a week, it’s worth planning your treatment for a better time.

There are a few other important things to keep in mind too -

Requires an experienced practitioner - CO2 laser is a powerful, medical-grade treatment. In the right hands, it can be transformative. But choosing a qualified, experienced professional is essential. At Sorella, all treatments are carried out by our nurse practitioners with specialist training in laser and energy-based devices.

May need a tailored approach depending on your skin - Some skin types, particularly darker tones, require extra care due to the risk of pigmentation. This is something we assess in detail during your consultation, including a full Fitzpatrick skin type assessment.

Sun protection is essential - After treatment, your skin will be more sensitive to UV exposure. Wearing a high-factor SPF daily is key to protecting your results and preventing unwanted pigmentation.

It’s an investment - CO2 laser isn’t the cheapest treatment, but it’s one of the most results-driven. Because it works deeper within the skin and delivers long-lasting improvements, it offers better value over time.

Why We Love CO2 Laser At Sorella Aesthetics

At Sorella Aesthetics, we focus on treatments that actually change the quality of your skin - and CO2 laser does exactly that.

It’s not just polishing or hydrating the skin. It’s rebuilding it. That’s why we use it for concerns that need more than a superficial approach, like scarring, texture and deeper lines.

It’s also a treatment where skill really matters. When it’s done properly, with the right settings and the right aftercare, the results can be incredibly effective and long-lasting.

For us, it’s about offering something that delivers real, visible change, not just a temporary improvement.