LASER & LIGHT TREATMENTS
Fractionated CO₂ laser resurfacing targets wrinkles, sun damage, uneven texture, and acne scars by stimulating collagen production, revealing smoother, firmer, more youthful-looking skin.
Skin Resurfacing | Collagen Renewal | Long-Lasting Results
Model
Some changes in the skin need more than a lighter laser treatment. Fine lines become deeply etched, sun damage changes the skin’s texture, and wrinkles around the mouth remain visible even when the face is at rest. When these concerns become more pronounced, CO₂ laser resurfacing can offer a more intensive approach to skin renewal.
At Balikian Plastic Surgery, CO₂ resurfacing is not treated as a single laser appointment. Our Aesthetic Providers plan the treatment around your skin, prepare you for recovery before the procedure and guide you through the healing process afterward.
That process begins with understanding what you want to improve and how much downtime you can realistically accommodate. It continues with a skin care regimen before treatment, carefully selected laser settings, and individualized post-treatment recovery support using either exosomes or Ariessence Pure PDGF+.
The goal is meaningful improvement in skin quality, with a clear understanding of what resurfacing can and cannot accomplish.
Not every wrinkle or texture concern requires CO₂ resurfacing. During your consultation, our Aesthetic Providers examine the skin as a whole. They consider the depth of your wrinkles, the degree of surface damage, your skin type, and the changes you would most like to see.
They also consider your schedule.
If your concerns are primarily fine lines or more superficial texture changes, a treatment such as Halo may be appropriate. When lines are more deeply etched or the skin requires more substantial resurfacing, CO₂ may be recommended.
Your available recovery time is part of the treatment decision. Someone who can accommodate only a few days of downtime may need a different approach than someone prepared for approximately two weeks of recovery.
Rather than starting with a particular device, we start with your skin and the improvement you hope to achieve.
CO₂ resurfacing removes damaged surface tissue and stimulates the skin’s natural repair response. As the treated skin heals and collagen remodels, its appearance and texture can improve.
Treatment may help address:
CO₂ resurfacing can soften deep lines, but it does not erase every wrinkle. The amount of improvement depends on the depth of the concern, your skin’s condition and the treatment performed.
Before and After
Explore our patient gallery to see examples of the improvements possible with CO₂ resurfacing.
When reviewing results, keep in mind that some patients undergo more than one procedure. Improvements in skin texture may be attributable to resurfacing, while changes in facial contours may reflect an accompanying surgical treatment.
CO₂ treatment is not the same for every patient.
The laser used at Balikian Plastic Surgery can be adjusted from fractional resurfacing to more extensive ablative treatment. That range allows our Aesthetic Providers to select the treatment intensity according to your skin and goals.
Fractional treatment creates microscopic treatment zones while leaving areas of surrounding skin intact. Those untreated areas help support the healing process.
The depth and intensity can be adjusted to address the concerns identified during your evaluation.
For selected patients with more substantial surface damage or deeply etched lines, a more intensive approach may be considered.
More extensive resurfacing also means more recovery. Our Aesthetic Providers will explain the proposed treatment depth, expected downtime, and limitations before you proceed.
The decision is not simply whether to have CO₂ laser treatment. It is how much resurfacing your skin needs and how to approach that treatment safely.
An important part of the CO₂ process at Balikian Plastic Surgery happens before the laser is used.
Approximately two weeks before your procedure, you will review your treatment and aftercare instructions with our team and begin the recommended skin care regimen.
This preparation serves two purposes. It helps establish an appropriate starting point for treatment, and it ensures you understand how to care for your skin during recovery.
You will know what products to use, which products to avoid, and what to expect in the days after resurfacing. You can also make practical arrangements for your downtime rather than trying to manage recovery around an unplanned schedule.
The same attention to skin care continues after treatment. Preparation and recovery are connected parts of your resurfacing plan.
On treatment day, your skin is prepared and appropriate comfort measures are provided.
Our Aesthetic Providers use the treatment plan established during your consultation to select the laser settings and areas to be resurfaced. Treatment may focus on a specific concern, such as etched lines around the mouth, or address more extensive facial skin damage.
The procedure creates controlled injury in the treated skin. Healing and collagen remodeling begin afterward, which is why the recovery period is an essential part of the overall treatment.
Before you leave, our team will review your immediate aftercare instructions and follow-up plan.
CO₂ resurfacing requires a greater commitment to recovery than lighter laser treatments.
For more intensive resurfacing, plan for approximately two weeks of social downtime. Your individual recovery may be shorter or longer depending on the treatment depth, the areas treated, and how your skin heals.
Your skin may feel warm and appear red or swollen. Depending on the treatment, it may also develop a bronzed appearance, crusting, or peeling.
During this stage, follow the cleansing and skin care instructions provided by our team. Do not pick or exfoliate the treated skin.
Peeling gradually resolves and new skin becomes visible. Pinkness can remain after the initial surface healing period.
Our Aesthetic Providers will advise you when it is appropriate to resume makeup, exercise, and your usual skin care products. There is no single day on which every patient will be ready to return to all normal activities.
Improvement does not end when the skin finishes peeling.
Collagen remodeling continues over the following months, and the appearance of texture and wrinkles may improve further. Consistent sun protection and an appropriate skin care routine are important for maintaining your results.
At Balikian Plastic Surgery, your CO₂ resurfacing treatment includes a skin preparation and aftercare plan designed around the depth of your treatment and your individual healing needs.
For patients interested in additional recovery support, we offer exosomes or Ariessence Pure PDGF+ as optional add-on treatments. Our Aesthetic Providers evaluate your skin and treatment plan to determine which option is appropriate for you.
These add-ons are not required for CO₂ resurfacing and are not included in the standard treatment. Your provider will explain the recommended option, its intended role in your recovery plan, and the additional cost before treatment.
Whether or not you choose an add-on, you will receive instructions for caring for your skin and guidance throughout the healing process.
Exosomes are cell-derived signaling particles used in certain aesthetic treatment protocols.
At Balikian Plastic Surgery, they are one of the options used following CO₂ resurfacing.
Ariessence Pure PDGF+ is a growth-factor treatment and another option used in the practice’s post-resurfacing recovery protocol.
Neither product replaces the prescribed skin care regimen, sun protection, or follow-up visits. Recovery support is one part of a process that begins before treatment and continues as your skin heals.
CO₂ resurfacing can make a meaningful difference in skin texture, but not every visible sign of aging originates at the surface. For example, a patient may have etched wrinkles and also be concerned about skin laxity or crepiness. Improving the surface alone may not address every concern.
In some cases, our Aesthetic Providers may recommend a staged plan that includes CO₂ resurfacing and Sylfirm X radiofrequency microneedling. CO₂ addresses surface texture and wrinkles. Sylfirm X may be considered for concerns involving deeper tissue and skin laxity.
These treatments are not necessarily performed together. Depending on the plan and how the skin heals, Sylfirm X may follow CO₂ after at least a month, and often around three months later. The purpose of a staged approach is to address different concerns at the appropriate time rather than expecting one treatment to do everything.
Skin quality and facial structure are also separate considerations. A facelift or neck lift can address changes in underlying facial tissues, while CO₂ resurfacing addresses the appearance of the skin. Eyelid surgery and resurfacing may likewise address different concerns around the eyes.
For patients considering more comprehensive facial rejuvenation, our Aesthetic Providers can coordinate with Dr. Balikian to determine whether resurfacing, surgery, or a combination of procedures is appropriate.
CO₂ resurfacing does not replace surgery when the primary concern is significant tissue descent. Likewise, surgery alone may not address deeply etched surface wrinkles or sun-damaged skin.
How is fractionated CO₂ laser different from older lasers?
Fractionated CO₂ treats only a fraction of the skin at a time, leaving surrounding tissue intact. This speeds up healing while still producing dramatic improvements in wrinkles, texture, and scars.
Will I see results after one treatment?
Yes. Most patients notice significant improvement after just one session, with continued collagen remodeling that enhances results for months.
How long does recovery take?
Expect redness, swelling, and peeling for several days. By about a week, new skin is visible. Pinkness can last a few weeks but is easy to cover with makeup.
Is the treatment painful?
A topical anesthetic is applied before treatment. Most patients describe the sensation as warm or prickly rather than painful.
Can CO₂ resurfacing be combined with other procedures?
Yes. Many patients combine fractional CO₂ resurfacing with facelifts, eyelid surgery, or fat transfer to address both deeper tissues and surface wrinkles.
How long will the results last?
Results can last for years with good skin care and sun protection. Natural aging continues, but the treated skin will always look younger than if no procedure had been done.
Is it safe for darker skin types?
Fractionated CO₂ can be used on many skin types, but settings and aftercare must be carefully tailored. Patients with darker skin may be at higher risk of temporary pigment changes.
When can I wear makeup after treatment?
Most patients can apply makeup once the skin surface has healed, usually by days 5 to 7.
What areas can be treated?
Common areas include the full face, around the eyes, lips, and sometimes the neck, chest, or hands, depending on individual needs.
Are the results natural?
Yes. The goal of CO₂ laser resurfacing is to refresh your skin while keeping your features natural, never overdone.
Patients love the Aesthetics at Balikian Plastic Surgery for its welcoming atmosphere, advanced technology and natural results.
