CO2 laser resurfacing is one of the treatments Sensational Skin in Scottsdale uses for sun damage and uneven pigmentation. The laser uses precise energy to remove damaged outer layers of skin while stimulating collagen renewal. The depth and approach are chosen for each patient at a consultation with S. Kent Brown, M.D., who leads every CO2 treatment at the practice.
Is CO2 laser used for sun damage?
Yes, sun damage and uneven pigmentation are among the concerns the practice's CO2 laser resurfacing page lists for this treatment. The laser removes damaged outer layers of skin, and the healing that follows stimulates collagen renewal.
The other concerns the practice lists for CO2 resurfacing include deep lines and wrinkles, eyelid laxity and under-eye wrinkles, acne scars and enlarged pores, and aging skin on the neck and chest. Many people who come in about sun damage notice more than one of these at the same time, which is part of why the plan is built around the whole face rather than a single spot.
What sun damage looks like in the Arizona desert
The Arizona sun is strong for much of the year, and people who live in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Phoenix spend a lot of time outdoors. Over the years, ultraviolet light from the sun affects the skin in ways that build up slowly. Common signs people notice include:
- Brown spots and freckles that become more noticeable over time
- Uneven or blotchy skin tone
- Rough or dull texture
- Fine lines and a loss of firmness, as collagen in the skin breaks down
- Changes on the neck and chest, areas that often get as much sun as the face
Collagen is the protein that gives skin much of its structure. Sun exposure is one of the factors that wears it down, which is why resurfacing treatments that encourage collagen renewal are often part of the conversation about sun damage.
When a spot needs a medical evaluation first
Not every mark on sun-exposed skin is cosmetic. A spot that is new, changing, bleeding, itching or not healing, or any other symptom that concerns you, should be checked by a qualified medical provider before any cosmetic treatment is considered. The practice's focus is on cosmetic sun damage, and an in-person evaluation comes before any treatment plan.
How treatment depth is chosen for sun damage
At Sensational Skin, Dr. Brown uses the Lumenis UltraPulse Encore CO2 laser. The same platform can treat at a range of depths, so the treatment can be matched to the skin and the concern:
- ActiveFX is a lighter fractional CO2 treatment, done in a single treatment session, that the practice uses for fine lines, pigmentation, sun damage and texture. It involves less downtime than deeper resurfacing. Read more on the ActiveFX page.
- TotalFX, DeepFX and SCAAR FX are additional depths on the same platform, selected according to the concern.
- MaxFX is deep corrective resurfacing for more advanced concerns, and it allows controlled depth even in delicate areas such as the eyelids.
Fractional treatments leave small bridges of untreated skin between treated areas, which is why fractional healing is faster than full resurfacing. Deeper MaxFX and full CO2 resurfacing need more healing time. The practice also describes Erbium YAG as a gentler option suited to mild to moderate concerns, with faster healing, though it is less effective for deep wrinkles.
The practice does not believe every patient needs the same laser treatment. The consultation determines the appropriate depth and approach for each person's skin and goals, and plans are customized around the patient's skin, concerns and downtime.
Other options the practice may discuss
CO2 resurfacing is not the only way the practice approaches sun damage. Depending on the skin, a plan may also include:
- IPL and BBL PhotoFacial, which the practice uses for brown spots, freckles and sun damage, redness and uneven tone, on the face and also on the chest, neck, hands, arms, shoulders and legs. See the IPL and BBL PhotoFacial page.
- Chemical peels, such as the ZO Controlled Depth Peel and Obagi Blue Peel.
- Medical-grade skin care from lines such as ZO Skin Health and Obagi, along with Jane Iredale sun-protecting mineral cosmetics.
For pigmentation in particular, the practice notes that understanding the cause comes first. Melasma is a medical condition, so evaluation by a qualified provider comes before any treatment.
What care looks like around a CO2 treatment
Care at Sensational Skin begins before the laser session and continues after it. The practice describes:
- Medical-grade skin preparation before treatment
- A guided recovery protocol
- Stabilization treatments to support healing
- Weekend follow-up care
CO2 treatments at the practice include anesthesiologist-directed comfort options. Recovery depends on the depth of treatment, so Dr. Brown reviews expected recovery for your own plan at the consultation, along with pre- and post-treatment guidance.
Who performs CO2 laser resurfacing at Sensational Skin?
CO2 laser resurfacing is physician-led by S. Kent Brown, M.D., Medical Director of Sensational Skin since 1998. Dr. Brown is an anesthesiologist with more than 40 years of surgical experience and more than 25 years of CO2 laser experience, and he customizes every treatment. CO2 resurfacing is the treatment the practice performs most often.
You can browse the practice's CO2 laser before and after gallery. Results vary, and the photos show individual patients, not a promise of any outcome.
Book a CO2 laser consultation in Scottsdale
A conversation about sun damage starts with an in-person look at your skin, and results may vary from person to person. Sensational Skin is at 11111 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 115, Scottsdale, AZ 85254, convenient to North Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Arcadia and Biltmore. The practice offers a complimentary consultation. Call or text (480) 596-9111, or request a consultation online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CO2 laser used for sun damage?
Yes. Sun damage and uneven pigmentation are among the concerns Sensational Skin lists for CO2 laser resurfacing, which uses precise laser energy to remove damaged outer layers of skin while stimulating collagen renewal.
Which CO2 laser depth is used for sun damage?
The practice offers depths from ActiveFX, a lighter fractional treatment used for pigmentation and sun damage, to MaxFX deep corrective resurfacing. The appropriate depth is determined at the consultation.
Who performs CO2 laser resurfacing at Sensational Skin?
CO2 laser resurfacing is physician-led by S. Kent Brown, M.D., Medical Director since 1998, who has more than 25 years of CO2 laser experience.
Book a consultation. Every plan starts with a consultation at our Scottsdale office, 11111 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 115. Call or text (480) 596-9111, or request a consultation online.
Individual results vary. This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have symptoms or a medical condition, please see a qualified medical provider.