How Long Do Results Last After CO2 Laser Treatment

Key Takeaways

• CO2 laser resurfacing effectively addresses multiple skin concerns.
• Results can differ based on individual skin type and age.
• The treatment encourages collagen production, enhancing skin appearance over time.
• Longevity of CO2 laser results varies with lifestyle habits.
• Regular maintenance can extend the lifespan of your results.
• Understanding proper aftercare is essential for optimal outcomes.

Understanding CO2 Laser Resurfacing Results

CO2 laser resurfacing offers both immediate and long-term benefits for the skin. This carbon dioxide laser treatment precisely targets damaged layers, vaporising microscopic sections of the skin to encourage new skin regeneration. The CO2 laser resurfacing treatment helps improve texture, reduce fine lines, and enhance tone with lasting rejuvenation.

This form of laser resurfacing is one of the most effective treatments for improving skin tone and texture, working on the principle that controlled thermal energy stimulates healing without harming the surrounding skin. 

During the initial recovery time, some redness, peeling, or swelling may appear. These are healthy signs that the skin is renewing itself. As your skin heals, clarity and smoothness become more visible, revealing healthier, brighter skin with minimal downtime.

What Happens to the Skin After CO2 Laser

After a CO2 laser resurfacing procedure, your skin begins a gradual but visible transformation. This laser resurfacing treatment triggers the body’s natural repair process, helping replace old, damaged tissue with fresh cells. Immediately following the session, most people experience:

• Temporary redness and swelling. 
• Peeling or flaking as the healing skin sheds old layers. 
• A noticeable improvement in smoothness and tone over time. 

CO2 laser works by delivering controlled thermal energy to the skin, which triggers collagen and elastin production. Those newly formed proteins help restore elasticity and reduce surface irregularities, so improvements continue to develop even after the visible peeling has finished.

Recovery time depends on how deep the treatment was. For many patients the skin has largely healed within one to two weeks, although mild redness can persist longer for some. 

People with darker skin tones may need extra care to reduce the risk of pigmentation changes, so following your practitioner’s aftercare instructions and sun protection guidance is especially important.

The Role of Collagen in Long-Term Improvement

Collagen is central to the longevity of CO2 laser resurfacing results. When a carbon dioxide laser penetrates the skin, it heats the dermal layer and triggers the body’s healing response. 

This stimulation leads to increased collagen and elastin production, two structural proteins responsible for firmness and elasticity.

Over time, this enhanced collagen renewal results in:

• Noticeable tightening and improving skin tone and texture 
• Fewer fine lines and wrinkles 
• A more youthful and resilient complexion 

Clinical evidence supports how CO2 laser resurfacing stimulates collagen regeneration well beyond the initial recovery period. The benefits of the treatment continue to evolve for months, as collagen remodelling keeps your skin strong and supple. With each passing week, you’ll see the fantastic results become clearer, showcasing smoother, more radiant skin. 

This ongoing regeneration is why CO2 laser skin resurfacing is often considered an effective treatment for rejuvenating the skin, offering improvement that can last for several years.

How Long Do CO2 Laser Results Typically Last

The carbon dioxide laser works by removing damaged outer layers of skin and stimulating new collagen beneath the surface, so results develop gradually. 

According to a recent 2023 study, most patients begin to notice subtle changes within the first week of recovery, as re-epithelialisation marks the initial stage of visible skin renewal. However, because laser resurfacing uses controlled heat to remodel deeper tissue, the complete transformation continues over several months. 

More pronounced improvements in elasticity, fine lines, and overall glow are typically visible by the three-month mark, when the new collagen fully matures.

This type of laser is considered one of the most effective treatments for rejuvenating the skin, producing smooth, even, and radiant results that can last for several years with proper aftercare.

Average Results Timeline for Most Patients

The average recovery from CO2 laser resurfacing follows a predictable pattern, though individual experiences may vary depending on skin type, age, and treatment depth. 

Below is a typical timeline showing what most patients can expect after a fractional or fractionated CO2 laser session, though exact recovery may differ based on your skin’s condition and response to treatment.

First week:

• The skin will have largely healed from the outer layer. 
• Expect peeling and temporary redness as new skin replaces the treated area. 
• You may begin noticing smoother texture and fewer visible imperfections. 

Weeks 2–4:

• Ongoing collagen regeneration leads to improved firmness. 
• CO2 laser resurfacing works by continually stimulating new collagen, which helps reduce fine lines and enhance clarity. 
• Healing skin gradually reveals a fresher, brighter appearance. 

Around 3 months:

• The full results of the CO2 laser resurfacing procedure become visible. 
• Wrinkles and pigmentation fade noticeably. 
• Improving skin tone and texture continues as collagen strengthens. 

These gradual changes demonstrate how this ablative resurfacing method encourages long-term rejuvenation rather than instant change, and results can vary depending on how your skin heals and responds to treatment.

When Full Results Become Visible

Full results from CO2 laser skin resurfacing usually appear within three to six months as collagen rebuilds and strengthens the skin’s structure. The recovery time varies based on treatment depth and aftercare quality.

With consistent moisturising, gentle cleansing, and strict sun protection, your skin with minimal redness will continue to smooth, firm, and brighten over time. Proper aftercare ensures the best results and extends the longevity of CO2 laser resurfacing benefits.

For most patients, a single CO2 laser resurfacing treatment provides results that can last for several years. In long-term follow-ups, researchers observed that around 32% of patients maintained good skin texture at five years and 20% at ten years post-treatment. Results vary based on factors such as skin type, sun exposure, and ongoing skincare maintenance.

Healthy habits and occasional maintenance laser therapy sessions help keep the skin looking youthful and radiant long after the initial recovery from CO2 laser resurfacing is complete.

Factors That Affect How Long CO2 Laser Results Last

Several elements influence the longevity of CO2 laser resurfacing results. Your skin type, age, and lifestyle habits determine how long you’ll enjoy the benefits of this carbon dioxide laser treatment. Not all skin types respond identically to CO2 laser treatment, and recent dermatologic research explains why.

A retrospective analysis in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology showed that variables such as scar type, treatment depth, and energy density significantly influence both efficacy and the durability of results.

Skin Type, Age, and Lifestyle Habits

The type of laser used, along with your individual skin type, plays a major role in the outcome of any CO2 laser resurfacing procedure. Safety of CO2 laser on dark skin is an important consideration, as melanin-rich complexions are more prone to pigmentation changes if treated too aggressively. 

Patients with lighter skin tones often achieve more uniform results and experience fewer pigmentation issues compared to darker skin tones, which may require a gentler fractional CO2 laser approach to reduce the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Age also affects the healing skin process. As collagen production naturally slows with time, older patients may find that recovery from CO2 laser resurfacing takes slightly longer, and the results of CO2 laser resurfacing may fade more gradually.

Lifestyle habits like regular hydration, balanced nutrition, and consistent skincare help preserve elasticity and firmness, allowing the benefits of the treatment to last longer. Those who moisturise daily and maintain healthy routines typically see the fantastic results last for several years.

Sun Exposure, Smoking, and Skincare Routine

Sun exposure is one of the greatest threats to the longevity of CO2 laser resurfacing outcomes. Unprotected UV exposure can damage new skin, accelerate aging, and reduce the effectiveness of your laser resurfacing treatment. 

Applying sunscreen consistently, especially during the recovery from CO2 laser resurfacing, is essential for maintaining improvements in skin tone and texture.

Smoking also impairs blood circulation and collagen renewal, slowing the healing process and diminishing the long-term results of laser therapy. To get the best results, adopt a daily routine that includes gentle cleansing, nourishing moisturiser, and broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. 

Protecting your surrounding skin from sun and pollutants ensures your rejuvenated appearance endures.

How to Maintain CO2 Laser Results for Years

The longevity of CO2 laser resurfacing results depends largely on your aftercare and daily habits. While the treatment initiates collagen renewal and skin rejuvenation, consistent maintenance ensures those improvements last.

Support your healing skin with gentle cleansing, rich moisturisers, and strict sun protection. Always use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher to prevent UV damage and pigment changes. Fragrance-free, dermatologist-approved products help maintain hydration and reduce irritation during recovery.

Long-term results also rely on healthy lifestyle choices, staying hydrated, eating antioxidant-rich foods, and avoiding smoking. Periodic professional treatments such as mild peels, hydrating facials, or non-ablative laser touch-ups can help sustain collagen production. 

Regular check-ins with your dermatologist ensure your skin continues to look smooth, firm, and radiant for years.

Proper Aftercare and Moisturisation

After completing your CO2 laser resurfacing procedure, proper aftercare is critical for both recovery and enduring results. During the initial laser resurfacing take to heal phase, typically the first one to two weeks, the skin is delicate and highly responsive. 

Using thick, fragrance-free moisturisers helps maintain hydration and creates a protective barrier that supports natural healing.

As recovery from CO2 laser resurfacing progresses, transition to lighter, non-comedogenic creams to nourish the skin without clogging pores. 

Consistent moisturisation encourages collagen stability, enhances skin elasticity, and locks in the benefits achieved from your fractional CO2 laser treatment.

For best outcomes, pair daily moisturisation with gentle cleansers and avoid any exfoliating products until the skin has fully calmed and redness has significantly reduced. 

A 2024 clinical study found that optimised fractional CO2 settings, when combined with disciplined aftercare and proper photoprotection, produce more durable collagen remodelling and slower wrinkle recurrence. This reinforces that diligent maintenance plays as critical a role as the procedure itself in achieving lasting rejuvenation.

Daily Sunscreen and UV Protection Tips

Sun protection plays the biggest role in preserving your CO2 laser resurfacing results. Even minimal sun exposure can reverse progress, leading to pigmentation, fine lines, or loss of collagen density. 

Because resurfacing uses focused light energy to remove outer skin layers, your new skin is more sensitive to UV rays and must be shielded from the start.

Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every morning, even indoors, as UVA rays penetrate glass. Reapply every two hours when outdoors, and use a wide-brimmed hat or physical sunblock for extra defence. 

Consistent UV protection prevents collagen breakdown, delays aging, and extends the longevity of CO2 laser resurfacing benefits.

Those with darker skin tones should be especially vigilant, as excessive sun exposure during healing can increase pigmentation risk. Using mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide helps protect without irritation, ensuring your new skin stays even-toned and luminous.

Professional Maintenance: Touch-Up Lasers and Complementary Treatments

Scheduling regular professional touch-up lasers can be beneficial in maintaining your desired appearance. These treatments can refresh your skin and address any minor concerns that may arise after the initial results fade. 

Integrating complementary treatments like chemical peels or microneedling can further enhance and prolong results, ensuring your skin remains youthful and revitalised.

• Moisturisation: Apply thick moisturisers in the early healing phase, then transition to lighter creams to maintain ongoing hydration. Recommended twice daily.
• Sunscreen Application: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning to guard against UV damage and reapply every 2 hours when exposed to sunlight.
• Touch-Up Lasers: Plan professional touch-up sessions every 6–12 months (or as needed) to help sustain and refresh results over time.
• Complementary Treatments: Incorporate chemical peels or microneedling sessions every 3–6 months to enhance texture and prolong the rejuvenation effects of your laser treatment.

CO2 Laser vs Other Laser Treatments: Which Lasts Longer?

When comparing forms of laser resurfacing, understanding the longevity of the results is essential for setting realistic expectations. The CO2 laser resurfacing treatment remains one of the most effective procedures for deep rejuvenation, offering impressive, long-term improvements in texture, tone, and firmness.

However, many patients also consider options such as the Erbium laser, fractional CO2 laser, or other laser resurfacing treatments. Each type of laser varies in depth, healing time, and durability, influencing how long the results of CO2 laser resurfacing or its alternatives can last.

In an Aesthetic Surgery Journal study, fractional CO2 laser resurfacing demonstrated greater depth of collagen remodelling and more sustained improvement in texture and tone compared to non-ablative or Erbium lasers, while maintaining a favourable safety profile.

Erbium Laser vs CO2 Laser Duration

The Erbium laser is often viewed as a gentler resurfacing treatment, targeting the skin’s surface with minimal heat damage. 

This approach offers a shorter recovery time and is well-suited for treating skin with minimal redness or for patients seeking quicker downtime. However, its shallower penetration limits collagen stimulation, meaning results typically last one to three years.

By contrast, the carbon dioxide laser penetrates deeper, producing controlled thermal energy that triggers a stronger collagen-building response. 

This makes the CO2 laser resurfacing treatment more intense but also more enduring. While the healing skin may require one to two weeks of recovery, the improvements can last two to five years or longer. The deeper ablation of this ablative resurfacing technique not only smooths wrinkles and scars but also enhances the longevity of CO2 laser resurfacing outcomes.

Fractional vs Fully Ablative CO2 Results

Within the realm of CO2 laser treatments, three categories emerge: fractional, fully ablative, and non-ablative. Both fractional and fully ablative approaches differ significantly in their method and outcomes. 

Fully ablative CO2 treatments, while more intense, provide deeper ablation of skin layers, resulting in longer-lasting improvements in the skin's appearance. In contrast, fractional lasers, while less invasive, require multiple sessions to achieve similar results. 

Thus, fully ablative methods generally promise enhanced longevity of results, appealing to those seeking substantial and enduring skin rejuvenation.

Here’s a quick comparison of common laser types, their downtime, and how long typical results last:

• CO2 Laser: Involves about 1–2 weeks of downtime, with results lasting 2–5 years. Suitable for all skin types, offering deep rejuvenation and long-term improvement.
• Erbium Laser: Requires approximately 3–7 days of recovery, and results typically last 1–3 years. Best suited for fair skin types seeking gentle resurfacing and pigment correction.
• Fractional Laser: Has a 3–5 day downtime period, with outcomes lasting 1–2 years. Works well for all skin types, making it ideal for ongoing maintenance and mild rejuvenation.

When to Schedule a CO2 Laser Touch-Up

A well-timed CO2 laser touch-up can preserve the skin’s renewed clarity and elasticity long after the initial treatment. These follow-up sessions are not only about maintenance but about reactivating collagen synthesis before signs of aging reappear. 

The recommended CO2 laser session count depends on the depth of treatment, skin response, and long-term goals; some patients achieve sustained results with one intensive session, while others benefit from a series of lighter, fractional procedures spaced throughout the year.

Signs Your Skin May Need Another Treatment

As the natural ageing process resumes, your skin may show subtle indicators that another resurfacing treatment is beneficial. Watch for signs such as:

• Re-emergence of fine lines and wrinkles 
• Uneven pigmentation or new sunspots 
• Visible texture changes or enlarged pores 
• Slight loss of firmness and elasticity 

Recognising these early signs lets you schedule timely CO2 laser resurfacing procedures before noticeable decline, helping maintain your ideal skin tone and texture.

Safe Intervals Between Laser Procedures

Establishing appropriate treatment intervals between CO2 laser sessions is essential for achieving effective results and maintaining skin health. It is generally advisable to allow several months between treatments, giving your skin time to heal fully and stimulate new collagen for optimal improvement.

The experts at IMP recommend the following treatment intervals based on your skin condition and rejuvenation goals:

• Fine Lines and Mild Texture Issues: 4–6 Months
• Moderate Texture Changes and Pigmentation: 6–12 Months
• Severe Texture Concerns: 12–18 Months

Following these guidelines helps enhance the longevity of your results while keeping your skin smooth, resilient, and healthy. Regular assessments with your practitioner ensure that each session is timed precisely to your skin’s natural recovery cycle.

Realistic Expectations and Long-Term Benefits of CO2 Laser

Undergoing CO2 laser treatment offers patients the chance to achieve remarkable improvements in skin appearance and texture. It is essential to maintain realistic expectations regarding what this treatment can accomplish. 

While CO2 laser resurfacing significantly impacts rejuvenation, the natural process of skin ageing continues. Understanding this balance aids in appreciating the long-term benefits that this treatment can provide. 

A ten-year follow-up study reported that 32% of patients maintained good-quality skin texture at five years and 20% at ten years post-treatment, confirming that while some relapse occurs, the overall rejuvenation remains significant.

How Skin Ages After CO2 Resurfacing

Following CO2 laser treatment, the skin typically experiences enhanced smoothness and a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles. 

As time passes, natural aging resumes its course, which may lead to the re-emergence of some skin concerns. Skin may lose elasticity, and new wrinkles can develop as collagen production slows. 

Factors such as sun exposure and lifestyle habits play vital roles in how quickly this ageing manifests. By maintaining a consistent skincare routine, you can notably prolong the rejuvenation effects achieved from the treatment.

Achieving Lasting Youthful Results Over Time

To maximise the long-term benefits of CO2 laser resurfacing, it is crucial to implement a thorough maintenance plan. Consistent post-treatment care helps preserve the results and supports the skin’s natural rejuvenation processes.

Key Maintenance Practices for Long-Term Results
To help your skin stay healthy and youthful for years after treatment:

• Apply daily sun protection  to defend against harmful UV rays, which significantly accelerate skin aging.
• Moisturise regularly to maintain hydration and support the skin barrier.
• Incorporate anti-ageing products such as antioxidants, peptides, or retinoids (as advised by your specialist) to enhance firmness and elasticity.
• Follow a gentle skincare routine that avoids harsh exfoliants and supports ongoing collagen maintenance.

With dedication to these practices, you can experience lasting youthful results, providing both psychological and aesthetic rewards over time.

Long-term clinical data reveal that the benefits of CO2 laser resurfacing can last for many years, though gradual ageing continues. 

Research in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery found that wrinkle depth and skin texture improvements persisted for years after resurfacing, validating the long-term efficacy of the procedure.

Before You Go...

Lasting results from CO2 laser resurfacing depend as much on aftercare as on the treatment itself. Choosing a qualified practitioner and following a mindful recovery routine are key steps that shape how your skin heals, renews, and maintains its glow over time.

In the days and weeks following treatment, your skin continues to rebuild collagen beneath the surface. Supporting that process through good hydration, a nutrient-rich diet, and daily sun protection helps extend your results, keeping your complexion smooth, firm, and radiant for longer.

Think of your aftercare as the final, transformative stage of your laser journey, where precision meets patience, and short-term renewal becomes long-term rejuvenation.

About Institute of Medical Physics

At the Institute of Medical Physics, founded by Dr. Emanuel Paleco, science meets aesthetics. Our London Fraxel Dual clinic in King’s Cross, along with our Essex location, brings together decades of research in medical and aesthetic laser science to offer a refined, evidence-based approach to skin rejuvenation.

From CO2 laser resurfacing and Erbium Glass 1550 nm treatments to Thulium 1927 nm fractional laser therapy, our team combines advanced technology with clinical precision to help each patient achieve measurable, lasting improvement.

Ready to begin your journey to smoother, younger-looking skin? Book a consultation with Dr. Emanuel Paleco and the IMP team today and experience the difference that scientific precision makes in aesthetic care.