CO2 Facial Procedure - How Long Do the Results Last?

Question

I am a 73 Year Old Male -— and scheduled to get a C02 Facial Laser next week. I have mild wrinkles, acne scars, and age spots Once I have Fully Healed from the procedure and seeing expected results - How Long do the “good results” last - how many years ?

Carl Truesdale, MD · Answer

CO2 laser is one of the most durable cosmetic skin treatments available, but the answer depends on what you're treating.
Structural changes (deep wrinkles, scar texture improvement, skin tightening from collagen remodeling) typically last 5 to 10 years. The deeper the resurfacing, the more durable the result. Fully ablative CO2 stimulates collagen production for 12 to 18 months after the procedure, and that new collagen persists for years.
Skin tone, pigmentation, and surface quality respond well but tend to need more maintenance. New sun damage, lifestyle factors, and natural aging continue. Most patients benefit from a touch-up CO2 every 5 to 7 years, plus annual milder treatments (microneedling, fractional laser) to maintain.
Factors that affect how long your result lasts:
Sun exposure. UV damage is the single biggest factor that erodes CO2 results. Patients who use SPF 50+ daily and avoid direct sun retain their results much longer than those who don't.
Skincare regimen. A medical-grade routine including retinoids, antioxidants, and growth factors extends results meaningfully.
Smoking and lifestyle. Smoking accelerates skin aging and shortens CO2 longevity. Same for poor sleep, high stress, and inadequate nutrition.
Depth of original treatment. Aggressive fully ablative CO2 at the time of facelift gives longer-lasting results than fractional CO2 maintenance treatments.
Combination procedures. CO2 done at the same time as facelift typically lasts as long as the facelift itself (10 to 15 years) because both healing processes reinforce each other.
For maintenance: I usually recommend a course of microneedling or fractional laser every 12 to 18 months after CO2, plus aggressive sun protection. This extends the structural benefits significantly.
If you're 5+ years out from CO2 and starting to see deeper lines return, a touch-up is reasonable. Mild surface changes are normal and don't necessarily mean the original treatment failed, they're just natural ongoing aging.

Kally Papantoniou, MD, FAAD · Answer

CO2 laser can lead to very long-lasting improvement in skin texture, wrinkles, discoloration, and acne scarring, especially once collagen remodeling continues after healing. The longevity of results varies quite a bit from person to person and depends heavily on things like sun exposure, skincare, and the condition of the skin before treatment. Many patients enjoy noticeable improvement for several years, particularly when they maintain results with good skincare and sun protection.

Laura Roider, MD · Answer

CO2 lasers work by resurfacing the skin and stimulating collagen production. The long term benefit is pretty significant but it is hard to give an exact amount of time that each patient will have "good results last" because this depends on your skins starting point, how much benefit you actually get and how you protect your results. 
My recommendation is to be aggressive with sun protect and ensure you have a good skin care routine following the procedure to optimize the benefits you will see.

CO2 Facial Procedure - How Long Do the Results Last?

Answers (3)

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