Top 5 Questions People Ask Before CO₂ Laser

1. Will it help my specific concern? (acne scars, smoker’s/perioral lines, eye lines, rough texture)
2. How much downtime and what does the first two weeks look like?
3. Is it safe for my skin type — especially in darker skin tones or if I’m prone to pigmentation?
4. How many sessions will I need and how long do results last?
5. Should I combine it with microneedling, exosomes, polynucleotides or Profhilo®?

How Fractional CO₂ Laser Works

Fractional CO₂ delivers columns of controlled thermal energy that ablates microscopic fractions of the skin while leaving surrounding tissue intact. This triggers a structured wound-healing cascade:

• Immediate resurfacing of the epidermis for texture and tone refinement.
• New collagen synthesis in the dermis (remodelling unfolds over weeks–months).
• Scar remodelling – particularly effective for atrophic acne scarring and fine etched lines.

We calibrate energy, density and pulse profiles to your goals, area and skin type. Around the eyes and mouth, where skin is thin, parameters are conservative and eye protection is mandatory for peri-orbital work.

What CO₂ Helps Most — and What It Doesn’t

• Great for: atrophic acne scars, smoker’s/perioral lines, periorbital fine lines (in selected candidates), coarse/rough texture, enlarged pores, actinic texture change and selected scars.
• Not first-line for: pigment-dominant melasma or vascular redness; we’ll favour vascular/pigmentation laser and pigment-safe plans instead.
• If laxity dominates: consider tissue tightening like Endolift® and restore structure with fillers; CO₂ then polishes texture.

Safety, Skin Types & Pigment-Smart Protocols

Your care is consultant-led. We review medical history, medications (e.g., isotretinoin timing), infection risks, healing, and Fitzpatrick skin type. In skin of colour we use pigment-aware settings, preparatory skincare, and staged plans to reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) risk. We avoid treatment over active skin infection, uncontrolled inflammatory disease (dermatitis, rosacea flares), or if you cannot adhere to strict SPF/aftercare.

Expected, Short-Lived Effects

• Warmth, swelling and oozing in first 24–48 hours; dry “micro-crusts” by days 3–5.
• Pinkness for days–weeks; make-up usually from ~day 7 if skin is intact.
• Tight sensation; meticulous moisturising and barrier care are key.

Less Common Risks (Discussed in Consent)

• Infection, prolonged erythema, PIH, rare scarring or milia formation.
• Herpes simplex reactivation around lips (we can discuss prophylaxis if history positive).

Treatment Plan, Sessions & Downtime Timeline

Most patients need 1–3 sessions depending on severity and goals. Sessions are usually spaced 8–12 weeks apart. We combine procedural precision with at-home skincare and strict sun protection for consistent gains.

Typical First Two Weeks

• Day 0–2: warmth, oozing/serous crust; gentle cleanse, occlusive barrier, no picking.
• Day 3–5: micro-crust shedding; continue sterile moisturising and SPF avoidance (stay indoors if possible).
• Day 6–7: re-epithelialised; light mineral make-up usually OK if skin is intact.
• Week 2+: pinkness settling; collagen remodelling continues for months.

Objective tracking available via digital skin analysis or 3D analysis.

Best Combinations: Build a High-Yield Plan

• Microneedling (between CO₂ sessions) to encourage collagen without added downtime.
• Exosome therapy post-procedure to support recovery signalling.
• Polynucleotides or Profhilo® for hydration/elasticity once the surface has healed.
• Medical hydro-dermabrasion and LED phototherapy as low-downtime adjuncts.
• For redness or pigment issues, see vascular/pigmentation laser pathways.

Perioral & Periorbital Focus (Lines Around Mouth & Eyes)

CO₂ is particularly helpful for perioral lines (smoker’s lines) where topical care falls short. Around the eyes, we treat selected candidates with strict eye safety and conservative parameters; if puffiness or pigment dominates, we often prioritise polynucleotides, Mesoeye C71® or non-filler under-eye protocols first.

Who Should Wait or Choose Alternatives?

• Pregnancy/breast-feeding, active skin infection, recent significant sun exposure or tanning.
• Uncontrolled inflammatory dermatoses — e.g., active dermatitis, rosacea, acne/folliculitis flares (we stabilise first).
• Inability to follow strict aftercare/SPF — we may propose gentler options until seasons/lifestyle align.

Your Consultant-Led Pathway (Maida Vale)

1. Consultation: medical history, skin exam, photography, expectations.
2. Design: map areas, energy/density plan, and staged combos (e.g., microneedling, exosomes).
3. Treatment: antisepsis, anaesthesia as needed, fractional passes; stepwise parameter checks.
4. Aftercare: written day-by-day plan, barrier care, SPF, escalation route.
5. Review: progress check and plan session 2/3 or complementary therapies.

FAQs: Fractional CO₂ Laser in London