Resurfacing

If CO2 laser resurfacing has been on your list for a while, the clocks going back is a good prompt to book a consultation. Autumn gives healing skin what it needs: weak sunshine, cooler days and enough time to recover before the Christmas party season.

Here’s why timing matters so much with this treatment, and what to expect if you book in with us in Repton this season.

What CO2 laser resurfacing does

CO2 laser resurfacing creates thousands of microscopic channels in the skin while leaving the tissue around them intact. Your skin heals from the edges of each channel, and that repair process switches on new collagen production.

We use it for fine lines and wrinkles, rough texture and enlarged pores, pigmentation, mild laxity and scarring, including acne scars. Most people need between one and three sessions. The skin keeps building collagen for six to nine months afterwards, so your results carry on improving long after the redness has gone.

Why the season makes a difference

Lower UV while your skin heals

Newly resurfaced skin is very sensitive to sunlight. Too much sun in the weeks after treatment raises the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: darker patches that can take months to fade. UV levels in the UK drop sharply from October and stay low until spring, so protecting your skin is far easier now than in June. You still need SPF every single day. You just aren’t fighting long, bright evenings.

Your summer tan has faded

A recent tan increases the chance of pigment changes after laser, so we ask patients not to come in with one. By mid-October most summer colour has gone, which means fewer postponed appointments.

Downtime is easier to hide

Downtime after CO2 laser runs from five to 14 days. A lighter treatment for texture and glow sits at the shorter end. Deeper resurfacing for scarring or laxity takes longer. You can expect redness and swelling first, then a few days where the treated skin flakes and peels.

Dark evenings make a week at home feel a lot less like missing out. When you do need to pop out, a scarf and a hat cover plenty.

Healed before December

Book in October or early November and the visible healing phase should be behind you before the social calendar fills up. Some pinkness can hang around for a few weeks once the peeling stops. Your practitioner will tell you when the skin has closed enough for make-up.

Is CO2 laser right for you?

Not everyone suits CO2 resurfacing, which is why every treatment starts with a consultation. It isn’t the right choice for active acne, rosacea or general facial redness and thread veins. Deeper skin tones also carry a higher risk of pigment changes after treatment.

If any of that applies to you, there are other routes. IPL targets redness and broken capillaries. Our chemical peels and Dermapen microneedling work on texture with less downtime.

Tell us at your consultation if you get cold sores, and give us a full list of your medication, including any acne treatment such as isotretinoin. Both affect how we plan and prepare you.

Getting ready for treatment

• Avoid sunbeds and deliberate tanning in the weeks beforehand.
• Stop retinoids and exfoliating acids before treatment. We’ll give you the exact timing.
• Use good medical-grade skincare in the run-up so your skin starts in the best possible condition.
• Clear your diary for the first week, or longer if you’re having a deeper treatment.

Aftercare and keeping your results

Straight after treatment your skin will feel hot, a bit like sunburn. A cool pack or a fan helps for the first hour or two. From there, follow the written aftercare from your practitioner to the letter, especially around cleansing, moisturising and sun protection.

Results typically last two to five years, depending on your skin and how well you protect it. Daily SPF and medical-grade skincare do most of the work. Some patients also add maintenance treatments such as polynucleotides, Profhilo or microneedling to keep collagen production ticking over.

Book a CO2 laser consultation in Repton

Our CO2 laser treatments are carried out by Dr Harriett at our clinic on Repton High Street. At your consultation she’ll look closely at your skin, talk through what’s realistic for your concerns and plan the depth of treatment around the downtime you can manage.

Book a consultation or call us on 01332 985 230 to find out whether CO2 laser resurfacing is right for you.