YOUR TREATMENT GUIDE
RF + CO₂ treatment planning
A combined RF and CO₂ plan involves two distinct treatment methods. The sequence, intensity and whether they are done together or separately must be tailored to your skin and goals.
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
Ask your clinician to explain each component, the exact devices, the expected added benefit and why a single treatment would not meet your goals. Get one coordinated written recovery plan.
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
Combined treatment does not guarantee greater improvement and can add recovery demands. Use the clinician’s full healing timetable, not the shorter timetable of one component.
Your questions, answered
Is recovery the same as regular microneedling?
No. CO₂ resurfacing creates a healing skin surface, while RF adds thermal treatment. Follow the more detailed combined plan provided for your procedure.
What risks should I discuss?
Review both the CO₂ and RF guides. Discuss pigment changes, scarring, infection and RF-related burns, fat loss or nerve injury. Ask whether staging the procedures is safer for you.
Can I choose this because I want the strongest option?
A more intensive treatment is not automatically the right treatment. Skin tone, previous procedures, healing history and goals should guide the choice.
When can I return to my routine?
Get separate instructions for wound care, sun protection, makeup, exercise, swimming and active skincare. Arrange follow-up before leaving the appointment.
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.