YOUR TREATMENT GUIDE
CO₂ laser resurfacing
CO₂ is an ablative resurfacing laser: it removes controlled areas of skin to encourage repair. It may improve selected scars, wrinkles and texture. Fractional treatment creates small treatment zones rather than treating the entire surface continuously. This is different from laser hair removal.
General patient education. Your clinician’s written instructions take priority because your device, product, medical history and treatment intensity may differ.
Before your appointment
- Discuss healing time, skin tone, scarring history, cold sores, prior procedures and all medicines. Your clinician may prescribe preventive treatment.
- Avoid tanning. Confirm which skincare products to pause and arrange time for recovery. Do not stop medicines without your prescriber’s instructions.
What happens at your visit
Your clinician reviews your skin and goals, discusses pain control and protects your eyes. Treatment depth and area determine the session and recovery. Before leaving, get written instructions for cleansing, ointment, any dressings and follow-up. If sedation is planned, arrange the required escort and transport.
Aftercare & recovery
- Follow your individualized cleansing, dressing and ointment plan exactly. Use only products your clinician approves on healing skin.
- Do not pick crusts or peeling skin. Avoid makeup until healed and avoid swimming, hot tubs and saunas until cleared.
- Protect healing skin from sunlight. Ask when sunscreen and your usual skincare can restart. Healing may take one to two weeks or longer depending on treatment intensity.
Results & follow-up
Expect a healing phase before judging improvement. Redness, swelling, crusting or peeling can occur. Surface healing may take around one to two weeks or longer depending on intensity; residual redness can last longer. Remodeling continues over subsequent months. Scars and wrinkles may improve rather than disappear.
Your questions, answered
How much time should I take off?
Plan around the exact depth and area, not another patient’s experience. Ask how long your skin may be raw, when you can return to work and when makeup is safe. Do not schedule immediately before a wedding, vacation or important event.
Is it appropriate for darker skin?
Pigment changes are a particular consideration in darker skin and in people prone to post-inflammatory darkening. Ask about the clinician’s experience with your skin tone and whether a different treatment would be safer.
What if I get cold sores?
Tell the clinician even if your last outbreak was years ago. Resurfacing can reactivate cold sores; preventive prescription medicine may be needed. Do not start or stop medication without your prescriber.
When can I wash my face and wear makeup?
Follow the written wound-care plan. Use only recommended products on healing skin. Avoid picking, scrubbing and makeup on open or unhealed areas. Ask for a specific restart date for makeup, retinoids, acids and vitamin C products.
What about sun, exercise and swimming?
Protect healing skin from sun with shade and clothing; ask when sunscreen can be applied safely. Avoid pools, hot tubs, heavy sweating and friction until cleared. Sun protection remains important after healing.
Does CO₂ replace a facelift?
No. Resurfacing mainly addresses the skin’s surface and texture. It does not provide the same correction of substantial sagging as surgery.
Will I need more than one treatment?
That depends on the concern, intensity and tolerance for downtime. A staged approach may be discussed. Ask when results will be reassessed before deciding on further treatment.
What are the important risks?
Infection, cold-sore outbreaks, prolonged redness, darker or lighter patches and scarring can occur. Increasing pain, fever, pus, spreading redness or new blisters need prompt medical advice.
Planning your visit
How much will it cost, and is insurance accepted?
Ask for an individualized estimate before treatment, including the proposed course, follow-up and any separate products or prescriptions. Cosmetic services are generally self-pay; medically necessary care depends on your plan and eligibility. Do not assume a consultation is free.
Can I have treatment at the first visit?
An assessment comes first. Same-day treatment depends on suitability, preparation, availability and informed consent. Tell us about upcoming travel or events when arranging your visit.
What if I am pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication?
Tell the clinician before booking a procedure. Elective cosmetic treatment may be deferred. Bring a complete medication and supplement list; never stop prescribed medicines just to prepare for a cosmetic visit without the prescriber’s advice.
Can I see before-and-after results?
Ask whether consented, real patient examples are available for your treatment and skin type. Lighting, angle and timing affect comparisons. Illustrative website images are not proof of a treatment outcome or a promise of your result.
Who do I contact afterward?
Call 510-777-1000 during Monday–Friday 9 AM–5 PM or Saturday 9 AM–2 PM Pacific. If we are assisting another patient, leave your name and callback number. For urgent symptoms after hours, seek prompt medical care instead of waiting for a message response. Call 911 for an emergency.
When to get help
Call for fever, increasing pain, worsening redness, drainage or bleeding that does not stop. Seek urgent care if you cannot reach the clinic and symptoms are severe.
For severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, get medical care promptly. Call 911 for breathing difficulty, stroke symptoms or another emergency. The website form is not monitored for urgent medical concerns.
Still have a question?
Our team can help you arrange a visit and clarify your treatment instructions. Hablamos español.
Monday–Friday 9 AM–5 PM · Saturday 9 AM–2 PM · Pacific Time
Patient education sources
Information checked October 28, 2026. These references provide general education, not Osita-specific treatment protocols.