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CO2 laser skin resurfacing is an ablative laser treatment that removes thin layers of damaged skin and stimulates collagen, so new, smoother and firmer skin grows in its place. It is especially effective for fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and mouth, sun damage, uneven texture and crepey skin. Most treatments today use a fractional CO2 laser, which treats a fraction of the skin in tiny columns and heals faster than older, fully ablative resurfacing. Expect about five to seven days of visible healing and pinkness for several weeks. At Soraca Med in Antalya, CO2 laser treatment starts from €250 for a small area and from €650 for a full face. This guide focuses on facial resurfacing for ageing skin: what to expect, how to prepare and how to care for your skin afterwards. For acne scars, see our CO2 laser treatment in Antalya guide.
CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing at a Glance
| Item | Typical detail |
| Best for | Fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, rough texture, crepey skin |
| Laser | Fractional or fully ablative CO2 |
| Anesthesia | Numbing cream; local anesthetic or sedation for deeper treatments |
| Treatment time | About 30 to 90 minutes |
| Visible healing | About 5 to 7 days for fractional treatment |
| Pinkness | Several weeks, sometimes longer with deeper treatment |
| Sessions | Often 1 to 3 for fractional treatment |
| Starting price | From €250; full face from €650 |
What Is CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing?
A CO2 laser produces light that is absorbed by water in skin cells. The energy vaporises a very thin layer of skin and heats the layer below. The heat contracts existing collagen and triggers the production of new collagen over the following months. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) describes laser skin resurfacing as a treatment that can reduce facial wrinkles, scars and blemishes and improve skin tone and texture.
What Does CO2 Laser Treatment Help With?
- Fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the eyes and mouth
- Sun damage, uneven tone and some brown spots
- Rough, dull or crepey skin
- Enlarged pores and uneven texture
- Shallow acne scars and some surgical scars
- Some benign skin growths, as decided by your doctor
CO2 laser does not lift sagging skin like a face lift, does not treat deep folds caused by volume loss, and is not the best option for broken capillaries or redness.
How Does Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment Work?
| Fractional CO2 | Fully ablative CO2 | |
| How it treats the skin | Thousands of microscopic columns, with healthy skin left between them | The whole surface layer is removed |
| Downtime | About 5 to 7 days of visible healing | Usually two weeks or more |
| Results per session | Moderate to strong | Strongest |
| Sessions | Often 1 to 3 | Usually 1 |
| Risk of pigment changes | Lower | Higher |
Most patients today choose fractional resurfacing because the healing time is shorter and the risk is lower, while still giving clear results.
CO2 Laser Facial Procedure: Step by Step
- Consultation: skin type, concerns, medical history and medicines are reviewed.
- Preparation: some patients start skin preparation creams before treatment; antiviral tablets may be given if you get cold sores.
- Numbing: a numbing cream is applied for 30 to 60 minutes.
- Treatment: the laser is passed over the face in sections.
- Cooling and ointment: the skin is cooled and covered with a healing ointment.
Recovery Time and Healing Process
| Time after treatment | What to expect |
| Day 1 | Heat, redness and swelling, like a strong sunburn |
| Days 2 to 3 | Swelling peaks, especially around the eyes; oozing and fine crusts |
| Days 4 to 7 | Peeling and flaking; fresh pink skin appears |
| Week 2 | Make-up usually allowed; skin still pink and sensitive |
| Weeks 3 to 8 | Pinkness fades |
| Months 3 to 6 | New collagen continues to improve firmness and texture |
What Is the Downtime?
For fractional CO2 resurfacing, most people need about one week away from work and social activities. Make-up can usually hide the remaining pinkness from the second week. Deeper or fully ablative treatments need longer.
Aftercare: Day-by-Day Skin Care
- Days 1 to 3: rinse gently with cool water several times a day and apply the healing ointment to keep the skin moist; sleep with your head raised to reduce swelling.
- Days 4 to 7: keep moisturising; let the skin peel naturally and do not pick or scrub.
- Week 2 onward: switch to a gentle cleanser and moisturiser; start a mineral sunscreen when the skin has closed.
- First months: avoid direct sun, wear a wide-brimmed hat and reapply sunscreen; restart active ingredients such as retinoids only when your doctor allows.
Is CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing Painful or Safe?
With numbing cream, most people describe the treatment as hot and prickly rather than painful. Afterwards the skin feels like it is sunburnt for a few days. CO2 resurfacing is safe when the skin is assessed properly and the settings suit your skin type. The main risks are pigment changes, infection, acne flare-ups, milia and, rarely, scarring. Darker skin types have a higher risk of temporary dark patches, so the treatment may need to be adapted.
How Many Sessions Are Needed?
One fractional session often gives a visible improvement in texture and fine lines. Deeper wrinkles and sun damage may need two or three sessions spaced a few months apart. Your doctor plans the number and depth of sessions with you.
CO2 Laser Cost and Prices in Turkey
| Area | Soraca Med starting price |
| Small area | €250 |
| Partial face | €450 |
| Full face | €650 |
| Advanced fractional packages | €850 and up |
Prices depend on the area, depth and number of sessions. You receive a written quote after your skin assessment.
Who Should Not Have CO2 Laser Resurfacing?
- People with active skin infection, cold sores or acne in the area
- People who have used isotretinoin recently
- People with a tendency to keloid scars
- People who cannot avoid sun exposure during healing
- Pregnant women, as most clinics postpone cosmetic laser treatment
Before and After: What to Expect
Expect smoother, brighter skin with softer fine lines and a more even tone. Firmness continues to improve for several months as new collagen forms. Results last for years, but the skin continues to age and sun exposure can bring back damage, so daily sunscreen protects your result.
Combining CO2 Laser With Other Treatments
CO2 resurfacing is often combined with treatments that address what the laser cannot: anti-wrinkle injections for movement lines, fillers for volume loss, or surgery such as a face lift or eyelid surgery for sagging. Many surgeons combine surgical facial rejuvenation with laser resurfacing in a planned sequence.
How Deep Should Resurfacing Go?
Laser resurfacing can be set to treat different depths and densities. Deeper, denser treatment gives stronger results but needs longer recovery and carries more risk.
| Treatment level | Typical use | Downtime | Sessions |
| Light fractional | Texture, dullness, very fine lines | A few days | Often 2 to 3 |
| Medium fractional | Fine lines, sun damage, shallow scars | About 5 to 7 days | Often 1 to 3 |
| Deep fractional | Deeper wrinkles, more marked scarring | About 1 to 2 weeks | Often 1 to 2 |
| Fully ablative | Severe sun damage and wrinkles in selected patients | Two weeks or more | Usually 1 |
Your doctor chooses the level based on your skin type, concerns and how much downtime you can accept.
CO2 Laser by Area of the Face
| Area | Common concern | Notes |
| Around the eyes | Crepey skin, crow’s feet | Special eye shields protect the eyes |
| Around the mouth | Smoker’s lines, lip lines | One of the areas that responds best |
| Cheeks | Texture, scars, pores | Often treated as part of a full face |
| Forehead | Fine lines | Movement lines may also need anti-wrinkle injections |
| Neck and chest | Sun damage, crepey skin | Usually treated more gently because the skin is thinner |
Myths and Facts About CO2 Laser
| Myth | Fact |
| “CO2 laser lifts sagging skin like a face lift.” | It tightens and improves texture, but it does not lift significant sagging. |
| “One session fixes everything.” | Many people need more than one session, especially for scars or deeper lines. |
| “There is no downtime with fractional lasers.” | Fractional CO2 is ablative and usually needs about a week of visible healing. |
| “It is only for older skin.” | It is also used for acne scars and texture problems in younger adults. |
| “Sun exposure afterwards is fine with make-up.” | Strict sun protection is essential to avoid pigment changes. |
Preparing for Your Treatment
- Avoid sun exposure and self-tanning for several weeks before treatment
- Stop retinoids and exfoliating acids a few days before, as your doctor advises
- Tell your doctor if you get cold sores; antiviral tablets may be prescribed
- Tell your doctor if you have used isotretinoin in the past months
- Plan about a week at home or in your hotel without social commitments
Planning CO2 Laser During a Trip to Antalya
Antalya is sunny for most of the year, so timing matters. Many patients have laser treatment towards the end of their stay, rest in the hotel during the first days of healing, and avoid the beach, pools and direct sun completely. If you are combining CO2 laser with surgery, such as a face lift or eyelid surgery, your surgeon plans the order and timing so that each area can heal safely.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is CO2 laser skin resurfacing?
It is an ablative laser treatment that removes thin layers of damaged skin and stimulates new collagen for smoother, firmer skin.
How long is the downtime?
For fractional CO2 resurfacing, usually about five to seven days of visible healing, with pinkness for several weeks.
Does CO2 laser remove wrinkles?
It softens fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the eyes and mouth. Deep folds and sagging need other treatments.
How many sessions do I need?
Often one to three fractional sessions, spaced a few months apart.
How much does CO2 laser resurfacing cost in Antalya?
At Soraca Med, treatment starts from €250 for a small area and from €650 for a full face.
Is CO2 laser safe for dark skin?
It can be used with caution, but the risk of pigment changes is higher. Settings and preparation must be adapted.
How long do the results last?
Results last for years, but ageing and sun exposure continue, so sunscreen is essential.
Can I combine CO2 laser with a face lift?
Yes, laser resurfacing is often planned together with surgical facial rejuvenation, in a sequence your surgeon recommends.
Can CO2 laser be done on the neck and chest?
Yes, usually with gentler settings because the skin is thinner, and with careful aftercare.
When can I wear make-up after CO2 laser?
Usually after about a week, once the skin has stopped peeling and your doctor allows.
Is CO2 laser better in winter?
Many people prefer cooler months with less sun, because sun protection is easier during healing.
Can I combine CO2 laser with a face lift?
Yes. Your surgeon plans the order and timing so each area can heal safely.
Sources and Medical Information
This guide is general patient information. The medical details are based on published patient guidance and research, including:
- ASPS: Laser skin resurfacing
- Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences (2015): Fractional carbon dioxide laser in treatment of acne scars
It does not replace a consultation: your doctor decides what is safe for your skin, and their personal instructions always take priority. Prices are Soraca Med starting prices and are confirmed in your written quote. Last updated: October 2026.