Can CO2 laser resurfacing be repeated? If so, how often.

Dear patient, I am often asked by patients if lasers such as Mixto fractional Co2 cause thinning of the skin and if they can be repeated. My answer is always the same. Removing 3 or 4 layers of the skin stimulates more skin  growth and can actually thicken the skin. The trauma of the laser promotes Collagen synthesis and new elastic fibers are put down. In summary; YES CO2 laser can be repeated yearly. Having said that an aggressive Co2 laser should last for many years. Please look for an experienced Dermatologist who can do a treatment that will result in lasting improvement. Yours Dr David R.

This is a great question and absolutely! The Co2 resurfacing treatment can be repeated annually but as early as 6 months depending on aggressiveness of the treatment and healing time. This treatment customized and will very from client to client. I would recommend having a personal consultation done. 

In most cases, CO2 laser resurfacing can be repeated. The length of time between treatments will vary based on the depth of the procedure and the skin’s healing process. Choose a board-certified dermatologist with expertise in CO2 laser for a full, in-person assessment and discussion of your treatment goals. Through this meeting, your doctor should be able to design a treatment plan that is both safe and effective for you. 

In most cases, the answer is yes, you can repeat CO2 laser treatments to maintain your positive results. However, the frequency will depend on the depth of your previous procedure and the level of correction you hope to achieve. If you had a fractionated treatment, this process stimulates collagen production by creating small channels deep in the skin, leaving surrounding skin and tissue untouched. This process will likely need to be repeated. 
Ablative laser treatments remove the outermost layers of skin to reveal softer, smoother skin below. This procedure requires a significant amount of recovery time afterward and the results can be quite dramatic. However, the procedure should not be repeated as a general rule, as this could cause excessive damage to the skin and tissue. I recommend scheduling a follow-up with your provider to determine whether your skin is ready for another treatment. Make sure you are working with a board-certified dermatologist to ensure your treatments are all safe and as successful as possible. 

The ability to repeat your CO2 laser resurfacing will depend on numerous factors, including the depth of your procedure, the sensitivity of your skin and the outcome you are hoping to achieve. In most cases, this treatment can be repeated annually or even more frequently to maintain your positive results if it is a fractionated laser like Fraxel Repair or Active/Deep Fx. For more advanced problems, a fully ablative CO2 resurfacing is often done. This is a deep laser that takes up to 10 days to heal but lasts many years. It is often not repeated for 10 years or longer. Make sure you work with a board-certified dermatologist who can advise you on the safest and most effective treatment plan for you. 

Thank you for your question. Numerous factors need to be taken into account when determining the frequency of your CO2 laser treatments. The depth of your procedure, the concern to be addressed and your specific skin type all play a role in when another treatment can be performed safely. I encourage you to work with a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience in CO2 laser resurfacing, who can tailor your treatment to your precise needs and goals. 

Id suggest waiting 3-6 months before doing another ablative laser and doing a Fraxel or halo between.  Best, Dr. Emer.

It really depends on the type of CO2 laser you had.  If it was a fractionated CO2 laser, which is the most common, then you could do it as soon as another 4-6 months.  If it was a fully ablative CO2 laser, one year is the minimum you should wait but it would be unlikely that you would need another fully ablative treatment this soon. 

Hello and thank you for your question. Yes , absolutely CO2 lasers can be done annually or even more often depending upon your specific needs. We utilize the Lumenis System of Active FX and Deep FX. Quite often we will employ both Deep and Active FX as a combined procedure. This gives us a great deal of flexibility in fine tuning your treatment. Best of luck to you. Please remember to pre-treat your skin prior to your procedure.

Thank you for your question! Laser resurfacing can absolutely be repeated, though it depends on the depth and area that were treated previously. I would recommend following up with a provider in your area for further assessment as sometimes multiple weeks are needed in between treatments for full healing. Ideally the procedure is performed when you have some downtime and are out of the sun!