At Aesthetic Medicine Sydney, fractional CO2 laser resurfacing represents a gold-standard approach to comprehensive skin rejuvenation, utilizing advanced Cryomed Aesthetics technology to address deep wrinkles, significant textural irregularities, scarring, and advanced photoaging. This sophisticated treatment delivers controlled columns of thermal energy into the dermal layers, vaporising damaged tissue while stimulating profound collagen remodeling and tissue regeneration for dramatic, long-lasting skin transformation.
CO2 laser resurfacing at Aesthetic Medicine Sydney is performed exclusively by qualified medical practitioners with specialised training in laser physics, skin physiology, and post-laser wound management, ensuring optimal safety, precision, and aesthetic outcomes.
Treatment Applications
At Aesthetic Medicine Sydney, CO2 laser resurfacing may be recommended for:
Deep wrinkles, rhytides, and advanced signs of photoaging
Moderate to severe acne scarring and textural irregularities
Surgical or traumatic scarring requiring significant remodeling
Skin laxity and loss of dermal integrity
Significant sun damage, age spots, and pigmentation irregularities
Rough, uneven skin texture and enlarged pores
Precancerous lesions (actinic keratoses) when clinically indicated
Comprehensive facial resurfacing for dramatic rejuvenation
How CO2 Laser Resurfacing Works
Cryomed Aesthetics fractional CO2 laser technology at Aesthetic Medicine Sydney delivers precisely controlled microbeams of concentrated light energy that penetrate deep into the dermis. These microscopic treatment zones create columns of thermal injury surrounded by healthy tissue, which serves as a reservoir for rapid healing and regeneration.
The laser energy simultaneously ablates (vaporises) damaged surface layers while generating controlled thermal injury in deeper dermal structures, triggering an intensive wound-healing cascade. This dual action stimulates robust neocollagenesis, elastin production, and complete architectural remodeling of the treated tissue, resulting in smoother, firmer, more youthful skin with significantly improved texture, tone, and structural integrity.
The fractional approach leaves islands of untreated tissue between treatment zones, dramatically reducing downtime and complication risks compared to traditional fully ablative laser resurfacing while maintaining exceptional clinical outcomes.
Treatment Timeline
- Pre-Treatment Preparation: Skin conditioning protocol may be recommended 4-6 weeks before treatment, including prescription topical agents to optimise healing and minimise complications
- Treatment Process: Performed under topical anaesthetic or with additional comfort measures; treatment duration varies from 30-90 minutes depending on treatment area and intensity
- Immediate Recovery (Days 1-5): Significant redness, swelling, weeping, and crusting as skin undergoes intensive healing; strict wound care protocols must be followed
- Early Healing (Days 5-14): Peeling and flaking as new skin emerges; continued redness and sensitivity requiring gentle skincare and diligent sun protection
- Progressive Improvement (Weeks 2-12): Gradual reduction in redness and refinement of texture as collagen remodeling accelerates; makeup can typically camouflage residual pinkness
- Optimal Results (Months 3-12): Continued enhancement in skin quality, texture, firmness, and tone as deep collagen regeneration matures; results can last several years with appropriate maintenance and sun protection
FAQ
How is CO2 laser different from other laser treatments?
CO2 laser resurfacing provides the most dramatic and comprehensive skin transformation of all laser modalities due to its ability to penetrate deeply and remove significant damaged tissue while generating intensive collagen remodeling. Unlike gentler lasers (such as IPL or non-ablative lasers) that require multiple sessions with subtle improvements, CO2 delivers substantial results in a single treatment.However, this also means more significant downtime, recovery requirements, and potential risks. Your practitioner will explain how CO2 compares to other options and help determine whether this aggressive approach aligns with your concerns, lifestyle, and tolerance for downtime.
What is the downtime for CO2 laser resurfacing?
Recovery from CO2 laser resurfacing is substantial and requires commitment to proper wound care. Initial healing takes approximately 10-14 days, during this time you will experience significant redness, swelling, oozing, crusting, and peeling requiring dedicated wound management.
Most patients can return to work and social activities with makeup coverage after 2 weeks, though residual pinkness may persist or 4-12 weeks or longer depending on skin type and treatment intensity. Complete social downtime is typically 1-2 weeks.
Detailed recovery protocols, timeline expectations, and support resources will be provided during your consultation.
Is the treatment painful?
CO2 laser resurfacing is an intensive procedure that generates significant discomfort both during and after treatment.
Topical anaesthetic cream is applied before treatment, and additional measures such as nerve blocks, oral sedation, or cooling may be employed to optimise comfort during the procedure.
Post-treatment discomfort ranges from stinging and burning sensations to moderate pain, typically most intense in the first 24-48 hours. Appropriate pain management strategies including prescription medications and cooling measures will be provided.
At Aesthetic Medicine Sydney, we ensure you are fully prepared for the discomfort level and equipped with comprehensive pain management protocols to support your recovery.
Who is not suitable for CO2 laser resurfacing?
This aggressive treatment is not appropriate for everyone.
Contraindications include active infections, isotretinoin use within the past 6-12 months, history of keloid scarring, certain autoimmune conditions, darker skin types (Fitzpatrick IV-VI) due to increased hyperpigmentation risk, unrealistic expectations, inability to comply with extensive post-treatment protocols, recent facial surgery, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and certain medications or medical conditions affecting healing.
Candidacy is determined through comprehensive clinical assessment including medical history review, skin type evaluation, lifestyle considerations, and psychological readiness for the recovery process. Your practitioner will thoroughly evaluate your suitability during your consultation.
What are the risks and potential complications?
CO2 laser resurfacing carries significant risks that must be carefully weighed against potential benefits. Common side effects include prolonged redness (lasting weeks to months), swelling, discomfort, hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation (particularly in darker skin types), infection requiring antibiotic treatment, acne flares, milia formation, and prolonged healing.
Less common but serious complications include scarring, permanent pigmentation changes, ectropion (eyelid malposition), and herpes simplex reactivation in susceptible individuals (requiring prophylactic antiviral medication). At Aesthetic Medicine Sydney, we minimise risks through meticulous patient selection, advanced laser settings, sterile technique, comprehensive pre-treatment preparation, and intensive post-treatment monitoring.
All potential complications, warning signs, emergency protocols, and our risk mitigation strategies will be discussed exhaustively during your consultation to ensure fully informed consent.
How long do results last?
Results from CO2 laser resurfacing can be remarkably long-lasting, often persisting for 5-10 years or more with appropriate maintenance and sun protection.
However, the natural aging process continues, and environmental factors (particularly sun exposure) will gradually affect skin quality over time. Maintaining results requires lifelong diligent sun protection, appropriate skincare, and potentially periodic maintenance treatments with less aggressive modalities.
Some patients may consider repeat CO2 treatment after many years, though this depends on individual skin condition, previous treatment response, and healing capacity.
Long-term expectations and maintenance strategies will be thoroughly discussed during your consultation.
Can I have CO2 laser combined with other treatments?
CO2 laser resurfacing is typically performed as a standalone procedure due to its intensive nature and significant recovery requirements.
However, strategic treatment planning may incorporate complementary procedures either before laser treatment (such as volume correction or wrinkle reduction after healing is complete) or after adequate recovery (typically 3-6 months post-laser).
Some adjunctive therapies such as PRP or growth factors may be applied immediately post-treatment to potentially enhance healing.
Your practitioner will develop a comprehensive treatment strategy that sequences procedures appropriately to optimise safety, minimise complications, and achieve your aesthetic goals without compromising outcomes or extending recovery.