How many treatments do you need to reach optimal results with CO2? (Photo)

Hello! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Aesthetic Skin in Winnetka and Chicago. This is a great question. To achieve optimal results with CO2 laser treatments, a minimum of three sessions is typically recommended. The number of treatments required can vary based on individual skin conditions, the severity of concerns being addressed, and specific treatment goals. The CO2 laser is highly effective for resurfacing the skin, addressing wrinkles, pigmentation, and overall texture. It works by removing the outer layers of the skin and stimulating collagen production in the deeper layers. While some improvement can be noticeable after a single session, multiple treatments are often necessary to achieve significant and lasting results. Each session builds on the previous one, allowing for gradual and controlled improvement. Typically, treatments are spaced several weeks to a few months apart to give the skin adequate time to heal and regenerate. This approach helps to ensure that the results are both effective and sustainable, with reduced risk of complications. I hope this helps and best of luck!

You didn't specify what you wanted treated. However, if you are interested in less aggressive treatments, that typically have little to no significant posttreatment downtime, typically yield immediate results, you might wish to consider the use of a robust HA volumizing filler to contour more youthful cheeks and also secondarily help under-eye hollows and improve smile lines. You may investigate treatment with a robust HA contouring filler for improving the jawline and marionette lines and the use of a robust HA lifting filler for shaping the chin and given it appropriate projection, which can also improve the jawline and upper neck. If all of these were performed in the same session by an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist filler expert, it would take no more than about thirty minutes to perform and with on-the-spot results.
By contrast, ablative CO2 laser treatments may not as directly treat the above problems and additionally engenders signficant post-treatment downtime and possess risks for infection and scarring.
Hope this helps and best of luck.

Hi B! Dr. Ruter here from Syracuse Plastic Surgery in Syracuse NY. Not all CO2 lasers are created equally and there are a number of settings that can be adjusted which will impact that answer. For instance, a fractional CO2 laser has less downtime but a less intense result than an ablative CO2 laser. Higher energy means deeper passes with the laser and more passes means more tightening, but you can't go too far or you'll damage the tissue and cause scarring! All that being said, I prepare my patients for 3 treatments with a fractional CO2 laser spaced a few months apart for fine lines and wrinkles like you have. Seek a consultation with your local plastic surgeon and they will be able to help develop a treatment plan that works best for you!