Your CO₂ Laser journey begins with a comprehensive consultation to assess your skin, discuss your concerns and determine whether treatment is suitable for you. On the day of your appointment, a prescription-strength topical anaesthetic is applied to maximise comfort before the treatment begins.
During the procedure, the laser creates thousands of precise microscopic channels within the skin whilst leaving surrounding tissue intact. This controlled process triggers your body’s natural healing response, stimulating the production of fresh collagen and elastin whilst replacing damaged skin with healthier new tissue.
Treatment times vary depending on the area being treated, but most appointments last between 60–90 minutes, including the application time for the topical anaesthetic. Following treatment, your skin will feel warm and appear red, with downtime varying depending on whether you undergo a Cool Peel or a deeper Hot Peel treatment. We provide comprehensive aftercare guidance and ongoing support throughout your recovery to ensure you achieve the very best possible results.
We don’t expect you to suffer major side effects but you will experience some initial redness which usually lasts for around 24 hours. This will be followed by up to 7 days of dryness as the skin sheds, revealing the new healthy skin underneath. Shedding is usually minor, although this depends on the skins initial condition.
You can expect your results to last for at least 6 months, but hopefully longer. We recommend a minimum course of 3 treatments to really maximise results and to extend duration results to a year.
The skin is cleansed and the handpiece is moved over the skin delivering tiny microscopic laser beams. Typical treatment times vary depending on the skin condition and the area being treated, but will range from 30 to 60 minutes. After treatment the skin is cooled. Protective eyewear must be worn during treatment.
Side effects are rare but could include a small blister which is superficial and would heal within a week or two. Some clients do experience darkening or lightening of the treated skin which is usually temporary and fades over the following months.
We will provide you with aftercare instructions. Please refer to this for guidance. It is best not to apply make-up for a few days. It is also important to avoid prolonged sun exposure and you should apply sun protection (minimum SPF 50) every day, whatever the weather.
Initially we recommend leaving the skin completely on the day of treatment. We then advise using gentle, hydrating skincare until the redness has settled. We recommend avoiding hot baths, strenuous exercise, swimming, steam rooms and saunas as well as massaging the treated area until the skin has begun to shed. As always, SPF 50 is essential throughout this process and beyond.
