CO₂ Laser Resurfacing — What It Really Does
CO₂ laser resurfacing treats texture, fine lines, acne scars, and sun damage by creating controlled microscopic columns of heat in the skin. Your body replaces the treated zones with new collagen and smoother epidermis. When performed fractionally (tiny dots, not a full sheet), it accelerates healing while still delivering meaningful results.
How It Works (Science, Simplified)
The CO₂ laser emits energy at a wavelength of 10,600 nanometers, which is strongly absorbed by water — and our skin is mostly water. That energy turns to heat, vaporising micro-columns of old or damaged skin and triggering the body’s repair response. The deeper dermis heats just enough to stimulate collagen production, while the surface regenerates with fresher, more even-toned skin.
This double action — resurfacing and remodelling — is what makes CO₂ more powerful than most other skin treatments. Modern fractional devices allow control over depth, density, and pulse duration, so clinicians can adjust treatment from a light refresh to a deep corrective pass.
Where It Helps Most
- Under eyes: crepey texture, fine wrinkles
- Around the mouth: "barcode" lines, lip wrinkles
- Cheeks: acne scars, pores, rough skin
- Forehead and temples: texture and sun damage
- Neck, chest, hands: often treated with lighter settings
Who Is a Good Candidate?
You’re likely a great match if you:
- Want visible improvement in texture, scars, or lines — and are willing to take 5–7 days off social activities while you heal.
- Have fair to medium skin tone (Fitzpatrick I–III) or darker skin with pre-treatment and pigment care. CO₂ is not just for pale skin, but protocols must be cautious in deeper tones.
- Don’t have active acne, melasma flares, or uncontrolled medical conditions that might affect healing.
- Are realistic: this isn’t a miracle wand, but it can reset years of damage in one well-performed session.
- Understand aftercare is critical — SPF, barrier repair, and downtime discipline all matter for results.
Ablative vs Fractional: Key Differences
- Fully ablative CO₂ removes 100% of the treated skin surface → strong tightening, longer healing.
- Fractional CO₂ treats microscopic zones only → less downtime, safer across more skin types.
Modern resurfacing almost always uses the fractional method — it’s more precise, more adaptable, and easier to recover from.
Why It’s So Effective Under the Eyes
The lower eyelids are tricky to treat without surgery — but fractional CO₂ is one of the rare non-surgical methods that can:
- Tighten crepey, thin skin
- Reduce fine lines and sagginess
- Improve skin snap and firmness
Results in this zone often surpass what’s possible with filler or skincare alone. Done right (with internal eye shields and modest energy), it’s a standout.
What the Session Looks Like
- Pre-care: no sun, no retinoids; antiviral if prone to cold sores
- Anesthesia: topical numbing; sometimes nerve blocks or light sedation
- Duration: 20–60 minutes depending on the area
- Sensation: warm to hot during; like a sunburn after
Recovery Timeline (Realistic)
Days 1–3: bronzing, swelling, oozing → skin looks sunburned/peeling. Sleep elevated, avoid makeup, use barrier cream.
Days 4–7: crusts lift, pink fresh skin underneath. You’re past the peak, but skin is still delicate.
Week 2+: redness fades, makeup sits better, texture already improved. Collagen builds for months.
How Many Sessions?
- Photoaging/fine lines: 1–2 sessions, 6+ months apart
- Acne scars: often 2–4 sessions, spaced 2–3 months apart
- Under eyes only: sometimes a single session brings visible change; may repeat yearly
CO₂ vs Er:YAG vs Non-Ablative Fractional
- CO₂: strong tightening, most collagen boost → more downtime
- Er:YAG: less heat, faster recovery → less firming effect
- Non-ablative: safe for all skin types, no downtime → more sessions, milder effect
Risks, Precautions & Aftercare
Common: redness, peeling, crusting, swelling, itching
Possible: acne breakouts, milia, temporary pigment change (especially in darker skin)
Rare but serious: infection, scarring, hypo/hyperpigmentation — often avoidable with proper protocols and aftercare
Aftercare essentials:
- Apply occlusive cream until healed
- Avoid sun and heat for 4–6 weeks
- SPF 50 daily — no exceptions
- No picking, scrubbing, or exfoliants until cleared
Real Results (What Patients Notice)
- By week 2: glow, smoother texture, smaller pores
- By month 1–3: firmer skin, softened scars and lines
- By month 6: full collagen renewal; skin feels denser, more elastic
Cost of CO₂ Laser Resurfacing in Belgium
Prices vary by treatment area, device, and provider experience.
- Small zone (e.g. under eyes, upper lip): from €470
- Full face: €800–€1,500
- Neck or chest: €600–€1,000
- Multiple areas combined (e.g. face + neck): from €1,500
Note: These are aesthetic treatments and not reimbursed by insurance. Always ask for a quote during consultation.
Final Thought
CO₂ laser resurfacing is a powerful way to renew your skin from the inside out — especially when scars, lines, or texture need more than skincare can offer. With one week of downtime, it offers months (even years) of visible results.
When performed by experienced hands, with the right settings for your skin, it’s one of the most rewarding non-surgical treatments available today.
