CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing

CO2 (carbon dioxide) fractional laser resurfacing for deep wrinkle reduction, acne scar remodeling, skin texture improvement, and photodamage correction. Ablative fractional CO2 stimulates new collagen and resurfaces the outer skin layers. Sessions run 30 minutes to 2 hours. Recovery involves 5–14 days of redness and peeling. Pricing from $1,500. Performed at the MedSpa at Millennial Plastic Surgery, NYC.

CO2 laser resurfacing at Millennial Plastic Surgery uses a carbon dioxide fractional laser to ablate and remodel the skin surface, stimulating significant new collagen production and progressive skin tightening — one of the most effective non-surgical interventions for deep wrinkles, acne scars, and photodamaged skin. CO2 lasers emit light at a 10,600 nm wavelength that is strongly absorbed by water in skin cells, vaporizing the targeted tissue in a precisely controlled column. In the fractional delivery mode, the laser creates thousands of microscopic ablative channels (micro-treatment zones) separated by intervening columns of intact skin. This fractional approach dramatically reduces recovery time compared to fully ablative CO2 resurfacing while preserving meaningful collagen stimulation depth — the surrounding intact tissue acts as a reservoir of undamaged cells that accelerate re-epithelialization and drive the wound-healing collagen cascade. The heat deposition in the dermis surrounding each micro-column causes immediate collagen contraction and stimulates prolonged fibroblast activity — new type I collagen and elastin fibers are synthesized for three to six months following a single treatment session, progressively improving skin firmness, smoothness, and the appearance of fine lines and scars. At Millennial Plastic Surgery, CO2 resurfacing is used for: perioral (lip lines) and periorbital (crow's feet, under-eye crepiness) wrinkle reduction; atrophic acne scar improvement (boxcar and rolling subtypes); sun damage, lentigines, and irregular pigmentation correction; overall skin texture refinement and pore appearance improvement; and skin quality enhancement as a complement to surgical procedures such as facelift. Sessions run thirty minutes to two hours depending on the area treated and the laser depth and density settings selected. Recovery involves five to fourteen days of redness, swelling, and skin peeling as the epidermis regenerates. Diligent sun protection is required for at least six months post-treatment. Pricing ranges from $1,500 to $5,000+ per session.