Fractional CO₂ can improve fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, pigmentation, uneven texture, enlarged pores, acne scarring and crepey skin. It can be used on the face as well as selected areas including the eyes, neck, décolletage and body. It’s great for stretch marks!

CO₂ Refresh is our lighter, single-depth treatment designed to improve skin quality with a more manageable recovery.

CO₂ Resurface is our more intensive dual-depth treatment. It combines superficial and deeper fractional resurfacing where greater correction and collagen remodelling are required.

We will recommend the most appropriate treatment following assessment rather than simply using the highest possible settings.

This depends considerably on treatment intensity.

Following CO₂ Refresh, expect redness followed by some bronzing, dryness or roughness as the skin heals. Social downtime is typically 2-4 days. 

CO₂ Resurface produces a more significant recovery period. Redness, swelling and bronzing are expected before the treated skin begins to shed and fresh skin becomes visible. Social downtime may be around 7 days. 

Residual pinkness can persist beyond the initial healing period, particularly following more intensive treatments.

We will discuss your individual expected downtime before treatment.

We take several measures to make treatment as comfortable as possible. Your anaesthetic and pain-relief protocol will depend upon the area and intensity being treated.

Patients commonly describe heat or a stinging sensation during treatment, followed by a sunburn-like warmth afterwards.

You'll notice changes in skin texture and appearance once the initial healing period has passed, but this isn't the final result.

CO₂ stimulates a longer-term repair and remodelling process, so collagen changes continue to develop over the following weeks and months.

This depends upon your starting skin condition and treatment intensity.

Some patients choose a more intensive resurfacing treatment, while others prefer a series of lighter treatments with less downtime. Your treatment plan will be discussed during consultation.

This describes the use of CO₂ laser to resurface and stimulate the skin around the eyes.

We can treat the upper and lower eyelids in appropriate patients to improve fine lines, crepey texture and skin quality.

It is important to understand that this is not equivalent to surgical blepharoplasty. CO₂ cannot remove significant excess skin or reposition tissues in the way surgery can.

When CO₂ treatment is performed close to the eye, specialist intraocular laser shields can be placed over the eyes to provide appropriate protection during treatment.

Your suitability for periocular treatment will be assessed beforehand.

Sometimes.

We want your skin and skin barrier to be in good condition before resurfacing. Depending on your skin, we may recommend a preparation programme incorporating Alastin Restorative Skin Complex and other targeted skincare.

Patients with pigmentation or an increased risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation may require a different preparation protocol.

For selected patients, polynucleotides may also form part of a wider regenerative treatment programme.

We may recommend Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar around your procedure as part of our post-treatment skincare protocol.

During the early recovery period we deliberately keep skincare simple, concentrating on supporting the recovering skin, moisturisation and rigorous sun protection rather than immediately restarting active ingredients.

A topical exosome-based product can be applied following treatment as part of our post-procedure protocol.

Exosomes have attracted interest in regenerative aesthetics and are being investigated in combination with procedures such as fractional laser. Research is promising but still developing, so we don't present exosomes as a substitute for appropriate laser settings, good aftercare or normal biological healing.

No. Skin type and pigmentation risk are important considerations with ablative laser treatments.

Your medical history, medications, previous treatments, tendency towards abnormal scarring, history of cold sores, recent sun exposure and pigmentation risk all need to be considered.

If we don't think CO₂ is the safest or most appropriate treatment for your skin, we will recommend an alternative.

Yes, but not immediately beforehand.

The visible healing period is only part of the recovery process, and redness can persist after the skin surface has healed. We recommend planning treatment well in advance of important events, particularly for more intensive CO₂ Resurface treatments.

You'll receive detailed written aftercare appropriate to your treatment intensity.

Initially, the focus is on gentle cleansing, protecting the healing skin, appropriate moisturisation and strict sun protection. Avoid picking or prematurely removing flaking or bronzed skin.

We'll also advise you when you can safely return to exercise, makeup and your normal active skincare.