Thinking about getting CO2 treatments for your skin? When researching these treatments, the most common question is how many CO2 laser treatments are needed and how often.
Depending on whether you choose traditional CO2 or the newer Tetra CoolPeel option, there are different answers to this question.
Traditional CO2 Treatments
Traditional CO2 treatments are like the heavy-duty option for skin problems. They work by removing old, damaged skin layers to reveal fresher skin underneath, as well as creating micro injuries to your skin, which are then healed by your immune system, creating new collagen.
What to expect:
- Usually just one treatment does the trick for most concerns
- You’ll need about 1-2 weeks of downtime to heal
- Results can last for years with good skin care
- Most people don’t need another treatment for a few years
- Your skin takes several months to fully heal the deeper layers of skin tissue
With traditional CO2, you get dramatic results in just one session. It’s great for deeper wrinkles, sun damage, and uneven skin. The downside? You’ll need to take some time off work or social events while your skin heals.
Tetra CoolPeel Treatments
Tetra CoolPeel is the newer, gentler cousin of traditional CO2 treatments. It’s designed to give you noticable results without the long recovery time.
What to expect:
- You’ll need about 3-4 treatments to get results similar to one traditional treatment
- Treatments are usually spaced about 4-6 weeks apart
- Recovery is much quicker – usually just 1-2 days of mild redness
- The treatment itself is more comfortable, typically not requiring numbing cream
CoolPeel is exactly what it sounds like – a cooler, less intense treatment. Each session produces more subtle changes, but you won’t have to hide out at home for long while you heal.
Which Option Is Right For You?
When you get one intense treatment like traditional CO2, it creates a more significant injury to your skin compared to gentler treatments. This might sound scary, but it’s the secret to better results! Your body responds to bigger injuries with a stronger healing response. It’s like when you exercise – a challenging workout triggers more muscle growth than several easy ones.
During intense treatments, your skin gets a powerful signal to produce much more collagen and elastin (the proteins that keep skin firm and bouncy). The deeper reach of aggressive treatments also means they can target problems at their source, rather than just working on the surface. This same principle applies to other treatments too, like deep microneedling or intense laser sessions – the bigger the controlled injury, the more dramatic your body’s rebuilding response will be.
When deciding between these treatments, think about:
Traditional CO2 might be better if you:
- Want big results right away
- Can take time off indoors for recovery
- Have deeper skin texture concerns like pronounced wrinkles or acne scarring
- Don’t want to come back for multiple appointments
Tetra CoolPeel might be better if you:
- Can’t take much time off for recovery
- Have more mild skin concerns like minor pigmentation and large pores, etc
- Are nervous about trying intense treatments or are new to laser treatments
Elysian Laser offers both options, so you can choose what works best for your schedule and comfort level.
