You’ll need to keep a thin layer of specialized Vaseline-type ointment on your face, which will be supplied to you by our office. Treated areas will look scary at first, like burns or abrasions, and will take approximately a week to heal. You’ll feel some swelling and discomfort in the first few days after the procedure, but will be given prescription pain medication to ensure your comfort.
In two to three weeks, your face will be completely healed. It will be red for the next week, and require moisturizers as the skin does not immediately make its own oils. After the second week, the color fades to a light pink, the color of mild sunburn. At this point you may use skin care products and wear light makeup to conceal the redness.
You’ll be able to see your amazing results well before the redness has faded. For some patients, this can be as soon as a couple weeks. For others, depending on strength of treatment and your skin color, as long as four months. If your skin takes longer to fade, don’t worry. The amount of time needed for complete healing is not an indicator of results. In fact, many patients who experience redness for longer periods of time have superior results!
Like many aesthetic treatments, CO2 laser skin resurfacing is technique-dependent. Results can vary widely depending on the expertise of the doctor performing the procedure. Dr. Koplin is an expert and an artist, and has provided his patients with beautiful, natural-looking results for nearly 20 years.