Recovery from CO2 Laser is critical in ensuring optimal results.
Licensed Esthetician and L+A CO-Founder, Jenni Nagle received a CO2 Laser treatment at Triada Integrative Medicine & Wellness from Dr. Krystal Briglia, L+A Medical + Wellness Contributor. Dr. Briglia provided Jenni with the service to showcase how CO2 Laser works in a multimodality approach to treating pigmentation.
Jenni’s Multimodality Approach To Treating Pigmentation
Jenni has been working on stubborn pigmentation and has incorporated several modalities. She’s documented the process in several L+A articles. She showcased her use of microchanneling, chemical peels, and a depigmenting and brightening solution.
Jenni also received a microneedling treatment that had a brightening growth factor serum infused into the skin during the treatment.
Jenni’s Products Used For Recovery from CO2 Laser
L+A has created a list of the products that Jenni used in her Recovery from CO2 Laser. There is also a daily diary of how the products were used.
Celluma
Hale + Hush and Relief Bio Powder
Rezenerate Sheet Mask
Pure Pro Aesthetics Storyderm 72 Hour Capsule Jelly Mask
Dermastart Anti Microbial Skin Mist
TiZO Ultra Zinc SPF 40
TiZO AM Replenish
Revision Cleanser
Revision CMT
8-Day Diary Of Home Care For Recovery From CO2 Laser
“Going into this treatment, I was aware there would be some downtime post-procedure. I was armed with no social plans and an arsenal of home care, and ready to go!” Jenni Nagle
10/18 Friday: Day of Treatment
The team at Triada Integrative Medicine and Wellness took extra care to prep my skin with a gentle cleanse, and a microchanneling session prior to the laser using a salmon DNA product. We asked Dr. Briglia to explain how this would benefit the Recovery from CO2 laser. Here is what she had to say:
“Rejuran PN (Polynucleotide) works to prepare the skin for a CO2 laser by promoting skin repair, reducing inflammation, and enhancing overall skin resilience. Here’s how it specifically aids in preparing skin:
1. Deep Regeneration and Healing: Rejuran PN, derived from salmon DNA fragments, stimulates fibroblasts to enhance collagen production and skin cell regeneration. This strengthens the skin’s foundational layers, creating a more resilient surface that can better tolerate the CO2 laser treatment.
2. Reduced Inflammation and Sensitivity: It has anti-inflammatory properties that calm existing inflammation, which is beneficial in reducing post-laser downtime and making the skin more stable for the intense resurfacing action of a CO2 laser.
3. Enhanced Hydration and Elasticity: Rejuran PN increases the skin’s moisture retention and elasticity, ensuring a more hydrated, supple skin surface. This is essential for CO2 laser prep, as hydrated skin can handle the laser energy more evenly, preventing excessive drying and irritation.
4. Improved Skin Tone and Texture: It works on refining skin tone, evening out pigmentation, and smoothing fine lines and roughness. This pre-treatment improvement in skin quality allows the CO2 laser to deliver more uniform results.
The result is better skin condition before the laser, leading to enhanced results, a faster healing process, and minimized risks of side effects.” Dr. Krystal Briglia
Once this was complete, the CO2 Laser procedure was quick and easy. After numbing for an hour and performing the microchanneling session, the laser portion of the treatment took about 17 minutes to complete.
The only area that was super sensitive was under my eyes; I’m glad she waited until the end for that part! It was a warm sensation that felt like rubber bands or small sparks on the surface of my skin.
We did an immediate post-treatment routine that is part of the Triada protocol:
Revision CMT was applied immediately to begin to decrease discomfort.
Hale + Hush and Relief Bio Powder with cold globes to immediately cool the skin.
I left the office with a heavy layer of this on and my skin drank it up.
The few hours post-treatment were tough; I had a mild headache and my skin was very hot. I regularly applied the Revision CMT cream to decrease discomfort and reduce downtime.
You could see the visible darkening of my skin as the day progressed.
I did a gentle cleanse using the Revision Cleanser and used Celluma PRO prior to applying the Revision CMT cream before bed.
10/19 Saturday: Day 2
My skin was red and there was slight swelling under my eyes – skin felt tight and it felt great to slather on Hale & Hush “Emergency Room Treatment” (Hale + Hush and Relief Bio Powder ) because of the cooling effect.
Reapplied Revision CMT cream regularly throughout the day to decrease discomfort.
10/20 Sunday: Day 3
Toughest day. My skin was becoming itchy (from dryness) on the forehead and the darkening was increasing. Reapplied Revision CMT cream regularly to decrease discomfort.
Incorporated Celluma. Used the Rezenerate Sheet Mask and ice roller to soothe before bed
10/21 Monday: Day 4
While using the Revision Cleanser, my skin started to slough off, like a natural gommage, just rolling off under my fingertips.
Incorporated Anti Microbial Skin Mist from Dermastart for the itch – used consistently all day, along with the Revision CMT cream regularly to decrease discomfort.
Applied TiZO Ultra Zinc SPF 40.
Added in Hale & Hush Quiet Wash at night to remove TiZO SPF.
10/22 Tuesday: Day 5
Hale & Hush Quiet Wash and more “natural Gommage” – heavy sloughing at this point. Dark spots were literally rolling off my face. Used Celluma.
Revision CMT cream heavy under eyes to decrease discomfort, as this was the only area still sensitive. Applied the Rezenerate Sheet Mask and globes in AM and Pure Pro Aesthetics Storyderm 72 Hour Capsule Jelly Mask in the PM – skin felt so hydrated!
10/23 Wednesday: Day 6
Majority of the dry skin has flaked off, with the exception under my eyes. Starting to need extra doses of moisturizer so skin feels quenched.
10/24 Thursday: Day 7
All flaking is done!
Used Celluma.
10/25 Friday: Day 8
Pure Pro Aesthetics Storyderm 72 Hour Capsule Jelly Mask – skin felt so hydrated.
Used the TiZO AM Replenish (tinted) for the first time to even out remaining pink tones.
Recovery Process
My biggest takeaway from this treatment is that you need to REQUIRE a home care kit for your patients when undergoing CO2 laser treatments. It is not an option! They need to have gentle cleansers, soothing creams, and hydrating products to decrease the discomfort and reduce downtime. Armed with these tools, recovery is manageable!