CO2 Laser Resurfacing in Burbank
CO2 lasers have been the gold standard for skin resurfacing for over two decades, and the technology has only gotten better. At Skin Matrx, we use the Tetra Pro CO2 laser to treat sun damage, wrinkles, acne scars, and uneven texture with a level of precision that wasn't possible even a few years ago. Dr. Blanka Orloff and our clinical team customize every treatment to your skin, your concerns, and the amount of downtime that works for your life.
Why We Chose the Tetra Pro CO2 Laser
When we decided to upgrade our CO2 laser technology, we evaluated several systems before selecting the Tetra Pro. The difference came down to control. Older CO2 lasers offered limited settings, you could go aggressive or conservative, but fine-tuning was difficult. The Tetra Pro's Pulse Shape Design technology lets us adjust energy depth, pulse duration, and intensity with much greater precision.
What does that mean for you? It means Dr. Orloff can tailor your treatment based on what your skin actually needs. If you have deep acne scarring on your cheeks but only mild sun damage on your forehead, we can treat those areas differently in the same session. If you need real results but can only take a few days off, we can dial back intensity while still giving you meaningful improvement.
The Tetra Pro is also the only laser that performs CoolPeel, a treatment that's become popular with patients who want CO2-level results without the traditional two-week recovery. It's worth considering if downtime is a concern.
How CO2 Laser Resurfacing Works
CO2 laser resurfacing removes damaged skin by vaporizing the outer layers with concentrated light energy. As the laser passes over your skin, it eliminates sun-damaged cells, scar tissue, and uneven pigmentation while triggering your body's healing response.
The Tetra Pro delivers this energy in a fractional pattern, tiny columns of treatment surrounded by untouched skin. This approach, which we've used for years, dramatically speeds up healing compared to older lasers that treated the entire surface. The healthy skin between treatment zones acts as a reservoir for new cell growth, so you heal faster and more evenly.
The real magic happens beneath the surface. CO2 laser energy stimulates collagen production in the deeper layers of your skin, and this process continues for months after your treatment. Many patients tell us their skin looks better at three months than it did at three weeks.
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What is the procedure like?
Before your appointment, we may prescribe a skin prep regimen depending on your skin type and concerns. This typically includes products that optimize your skin for treatment and healing. If you get cold sores, let us know—we'll prescribe antiviral medication to prevent an outbreak, which can be triggered by laser treatment.
On treatment day, we apply topical numbing cream and let it take effect for about 30 minutes. The treatment itself varies in length depending on the areas being addressed and the intensity we're using. Most full-face treatments take 30 to 45 minutes. You'll feel heat and a snapping sensation, but the numbing cream keeps most patients comfortable.
Immediately after, your skin will be red and feel warm, like a sunburn. We'll apply a healing ointment and give you detailed aftercare instructions. Plan to go straight home—you won't want to run errands.
Recovery: What's It Really Like?
Days 1-3: Your skin will be red, swollen, and feel tight. You'll apply ointment frequently to keep the treated area moist. Sleeping propped up helps with swelling.
Days 4-7: The outer layer of skin will start to crust and peel. This is normal, it means healing is progressing. Don't pick at it. Your skin may feel itchy during this phase.
Days 7-14: Most of the peeling is complete. Your skin will still be pink, but you can usually start wearing mineral makeup around day 10-14 (we'll let you know when you're ready).
Weeks 3-6: Pink or redness fades gradually. Sunscreen is essential during this time, newly resurfaced skin is very susceptible to sun damage.
Results You Can Expect
Most patients see significant improvement after a single CO2 resurfacing treatment. Fine lines soften. Sun spots fade or disappear. Acne scars become less noticeable. Skin tone evens out.
The timeline varies. You'll look "better" within a few weeks of healing, but the collagen response takes months to fully develop. We ask patients to give it six months before judging their final results. Many are pleasantly surprised by continued improvement during that time.
Deeper concerns, significant scarring, advanced sun damage, deep wrinkles, may benefit from a second treatment. We typically wait at least six months between sessions to let your skin fully heal and to assess results before recommending additional treatment.
CO2 Laser Before & After
Our Approach to CO2 Resurfacing
Skin Matrx is a physician-led practice, which matters when you're considering a treatment like CO2 resurfacing. Dr. Blanka Orloff, a member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, oversees all laser treatments and develops each patient's treatment plan. Our clinical team has extensive experience with the Tetra Pro and understands how to adjust settings for different skin types and concerns.
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