How painful is the CO2 laser treatment and how long does the pain last?

Hello! Thank you for your question! Prior to CO2 laser procedure a topical numbing is left on for one hour which helps with the pain. There is some discomfort during the treatment, however we ensure that our patients are comfortable throughout the whole procedure. The sensation can best be described as elastic band snapping, or pins and needles on the skin with heat involved. After the procedure is complete the skin is hot like a bad sunburn for a few hours. After a few hours the pain subsides completely.

Fraxel, (profractional), and/or Co2 are the best laser options for resurfacing, but erbium is a good alternative. You will be properly numbed and medicated which reduces pain levels and downtime generally last about two weeks. Feel free to check out my recommended pre and post care products at emeragecosmetics.com. I always combine lasers with microneedling/(RF/)prp for more robust outcomes. For skin tightening, I recommend a combination of ultherapy with RF treatments and sculptra for skin tightening. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer

CO2 laser treatments can vary in the depth that they go and there are a variety of settings that can be used.  Some treatments may be very superficial and others very deep.  The deeper the peel, the longer the recovery and normally, the more dramatic the results.  I would say the depth of the peel can also influence the amount of pain that potentially could be felt.  Usually, the skin will be numbed prior to the laser treatment so that there is no pain during the procedure.  The numbing may be done with a cream put on top of the skin and/or injections of an anesthetic.  The depth of the peel will also influence the amount of pain felt after the procedure.  There can be a feeling like a sunburn, but your physician should be able to tell you how to alleviate any pain that may occur.