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CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing

Sun exposure, aging, and old breakouts can leave a lasting mark on your face. Moisturizers and creams only hydrate the surface. To actually correct an uneven skin tone, deep acne scars, and heavy wrinkles, you have to replace the damaged tissue physically. Solaria by Inmode tackles this by using advanced CO2 laser skin resurfacing to strip away poor skin texture, forcing your body to build new, healthy cells from scratch.

This is a fully ablative treatment, not a no-downtime laser facial. One committed session is designed to deliver the kind of transformation most treatments need months of repeat visits to approach.

What is CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing?

CO2 laser skin resurfacing is a controlled thermal laser treatment that removes the damaged outer layer of skin while heating the underlying skin to trigger massive collagen production.

Here at SHarper Plastic Surgery, we use the precise light energy of Solaria by InMode to treat the surface and the deeper dermis simultaneously. This dual action targets hyperpigmentation and heavy texture, improving skin firmness from the inside out.

Best For

Sun damage, deep texture, acne scars, fine lines

Treatment Type

Energy-based device

Downtime

5–7 days of social downtime

Pain Level

Mild (with topical or local anesthetic)

Appointment Length

45–60 minutes

When Results Appear

1–2 weeks for texture; 3–6 months for firmness

How Long Results Last

Years (depending on sun protection habits)

Number of Sessions

Most need just 1. Maintenance treatment if needed.

What can CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing be used to treat?

The Solaria platform is highly versatile. We use CO2 laser skin resurfacing in Indianapolis to address multiple complex skin concerns across the face and body.

  • Sun-damaged skin and dark age spots
  • Acne scars and surgical scars
  • Fine lines and deep wrinkles around the eyes and mouth
  • Uneven skin tone and uneven skin color
  • Poor skin texture on the cheeks, chin, and neck
indianapolis CO2 laser skin resurfacing patient receiving treatment

How does Solaria by InMode work?

Solaria is a CO2 and RF energy-based laser treatment that operates on the principle of controlled damage. By directing intense beams of light at the designated treatment area, the device vaporizes the damaged outer layer with pinpoint precision while simultaneously sending thermal energy deep into the underlying skin.

This triggers an immediate immune response. Your body rushes to repair the micro-wounds, stimulating rapid collagen production. As the old surface peels away, fresh, structurally sound skin regrows in its place.

White marble texture with subtle gray veins.

What are the benefits of CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing?

A skincare routine is necessary for maintenance, but laser resurfacing using CO2 is a reset. The primary advantage of Solaria is its efficiency. Solaria forces the skin to multitask, treating surface damage and deep tissue deterioration simultaneously.

  • Improves overall skin firmness
  • Breaks down dense acne and surgical scars
  • Erases dark age spots and severe sun damage
  • Smooths heavy wrinkles and fine lines
  • Corrects uneven skin tone and color
  • Refines poor surface texture
  • Stimulates massive collagen production
  • Delivers predictable, long-lasting results
  • Achieves in one session what surface treatments need months of visits to approach

Am I a candidate for CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing?

Good candidates

This procedure is ideal for patients seeking to correct signs of aging, heavy sun damage, or deep acne scars. You need to be in good overall health and, more importantly, willing to tolerate at least a week of social downtime. True skin rejuvenation is a cellular process that requires patience.

This depth of downtime is intentional. It's the physical evidence that real tissue renewal, not just surface refresh, is taking place.

Who is not a good fit

Patients with active acne breakouts, severe eczema, or a history of poorly managed cold sores in the treatment area should wait. Darker skin types require a careful clinical evaluation during a one-on-one consultation. Certain ablative lasers can cause hyperpigmentation if the heat triggers excess melanin production, so we never take risks with melanin-rich skin.

How should I prepare for CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing?

  1. Avoid the sun: Stay out of direct sunlight and avoid tanning beds for at least four weeks before your appointment.
  2. Stop active skincare: Discontinue retinol, retinoids, and chemical exfoliants one week prior to avoid chemical burns. Your provider will review your skincare regimen with you at the time of consultation.
  3. Prevent flare-ups: Start an antiviral medication two days before your procedure if you are prone to cold sores. We will prescribe this for you.
  4. Clear your schedule: Arrange your commitments to allow for five to seven days of social downtime while the skin heals.
Skincare professional performing Indianapolis CO2 laser skin resurfacing treatment on client.

What is a CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing appointment like?

We begin by thoroughly cleansing the face to remove all oils and debris. Because you need to feel calm and comfortable, we apply a medical-grade topical numbing cream or a local anesthetic to the treated area before starting. You will relax in the salt lounge while that starts to work.

During the procedure, Dr. Jamie Harper or one of our highly experienced providers will pass the Solaria handpiece over your skin. You will feel intense heat and a snapping sensation as the laser pulses, but we use specialized cooling techniques to make sure the heat is tolerable, and you stay comfortable the entire time. The active laser work takes about 30 to 45 minutes. We finish by using a biocellulose mask and then applying a thick, protective barrier ointment to shield the raw skin.

Recovery after CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing

Immediate downtime

Your face will feel like it sustained a severe sunburn. Expect redness, intense heat, and mild swelling for the first 48 hours.

Social downtime

Most patients require seven to ten days away from social events or video calls. Around day three, the skin gets very dry and tight before it begins to peel heavily.

Exercise, makeup, and sun restrictions

Strict sun protection is mandatory during this window. You cannot wear makeup, take hot showers, or engage in strenuous exercise until the peeling stops and the new epidermal layer is fully closed. This can take up to one week.

Provider aftercare tips

Keep the surface constantly hydrated with the specific medical-grade ointments we provide. Never pick, scratch, or pull at peeling skin. Prematurely removing the dead skin causes permanent scars and hyperpigmentation.

When will I see results from CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing?

After CO2 laser skin resurfacing Indianapolis patients will notice a smoother texture and brighter skin tone as soon as the initial peeling finishes, which usually happens between days seven and ten. Collagen production, however, takes longer. The structural changes peak at three to six months as the body actually reduces fine lines and improves firmness.

How long do results last?

Because our Indianapolis CO2 laser skin resurfacing treatment physically removes damaged tissue, the improvements last for several years. Your exact longevity depends entirely on your daily sun protection habits and your biological aging process.

indianapolis Co2 laser skin resurfacing model with blonde hair

How many sessions will I need?

Most SHarper patients achieve their goals with a single, aggressive ablative session. This is a deliberate choice: one deeper treatment, rather than a series of lighter passes, delivers plastic-surgery-level transformation with one recovery period instead of several.

How much does Laser Skin Resurfacing cost in Indianapolis?

Your pricing depends on the size of the treatment area and the depth of the laser required. A full face naturally costs more than just treating the cheeks. Lighter fractional lasers also cost less per session than deep, single-pass ablative treatments.

A fully ablative, single-session treatment is a fundamentally different investment than a light fractional laser or no-downtime facial. You're not paying per visit in a long series. You're investing once in a physician-directed treatment built to deliver lasting, structural change.

Our team will answer questions and provide an exact, itemized quote during your consultation.

Solaria by InMode vs. Other Options

Traditional ablative CO2 lasers and no-downtime laser facials sit at opposite ends of the spectrum: one delivers dramatic results with weeks of raw recovery, the other offers convenience with modest, temporary change. Solaria is engineered to capture the dramatic, structural results of true ablative resurfacing while using advanced technology to shorten recovery, without watering down the results. It's not a compromise. It's the same category of transformation, delivered more intelligently.

Can CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing be combined with other treatments?

Yes, patients often pair CO2 laser skin resurfacing with other SHarper treatments. Botox and Xeomin will help stop muscle movement and prevent the face from folding, which can stop deeper wrinkles. Morpheus8 addresses the deeper layers of skin and is great for some of the deeper facial lines.

Why choose Sharper Surgery for CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing?

Energy-based devices are powerful medical tools. In inexperienced hands, a laser can cause permanent burns or pigmentation issues. Our highly experienced team in Indianapolis understands the complex histology of the skin. We calibrate the Solaria device to your specific skin type, depth of damage, and anatomy. We prioritize patient safety to ensure you get maximum results without unnecessary risk.

A fully ablative treatment leaves no margin for guesswork. Our physician-led team brings the same precision and safety standards to Solaria that we apply in the operating room, so you get the full power of the treatment without unnecessary risk.

CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing

Frequently Asked Questions

Because we typically perform this as a single, fully ablative session rather than a repeated series, your cost reflects one transformative treatment, not the cumulative price of ongoing visits. You can get a personalized treatment plan and quote at your consultation.

No. CO2 laser skin resurfacing is an elective cosmetic procedure. Health insurance providers classify this as an aesthetic enhancement, even if we are treating old acne scars or severe sun damage. You are entirely responsible for the cost of the treatment.

We use medical-grade topical numbing and local anesthetics to manage discomfort. You can also use Pronox, a laughing gas. If you are someone who really does not tolerate pain, you have the option for oral medication that will be sent to your pharmacy. If you take oral medication, you will need a ride home. Most patients describe a very warm, prickly sensation rather than sharp pain.

Yes. It is highly effective at breaking down old scar tissue and stimulating new collagen to fill the depressions left by severe cystic acne.

You must wait until the skin has completely finished peeling. This usually occurs around day seven to ten.

You can, but you must follow the strict instructions of no sun exposure, stay away from excessive heat, and no exercise for up to ten days. Unprotected sun exposure before or after laser treatments severely increases your risk of permanent hyperpigmentation.

It improves skin firmness by thickening the dermis, but it does not remove sagging skin. We often pair Morpheus8 treatment with CO2 laser skin resurfacing in Indianapolis for improved outcomes.