How long do I need to wait before having my second CO2 fractionated laser?

Great question! I typically have my patients wait six months before repeating a fractionated C02 treatment.

How long to wait after your first CO2 laser treatment depends on how aggressively the treatment was done.  If the treatment was gentle, it could likely be repeated after a month or longer.  If the treatment was aggressive, I wait about six months to see the maximum skin regeneration and collagen formation from the treatment.  

Fractional CO2 lasers such as Active FX and Deep FX stimulate collagen and elastin production in the deep layers of the skin. With this innovative technique, the collagen production doesn’t stop after the treatment. Collagen production continues well after the treatment has finished, so you will continue to see improvement in your skin for months afterward.It generally takes at least 6 months for the full effects of collagen to occur and I have found continued improvement for up to 2 years. I typically recommend waiting 6 months before having a second fractional laser treatment, unless a mild treatment was performed.