How to Prepare for CO2 Laser Resurfacing in Scottsdale

CO2 Laser  |  November 9, 2026  |  Published by Sensational Skin, Scottsdale

Preparing for CO2 laser resurfacing starts with a consultation, not a shopping list. At Sensational Skin in Scottsdale, preparation is planned for each patient and includes medical-grade skin preparation before treatment, along with comprehensive pre- and post-treatment guidance from the team. The specific steps depend on your skin, your concerns and the depth of treatment chosen for you.

How do you prepare for CO2 laser resurfacing?

At Sensational Skin, you prepare for CO2 laser resurfacing by following a plan built for you at your consultation, which includes medical-grade skin preparation and written guidance for the time before treatment. Because the practice does not believe every patient needs the same laser treatment, it also does not hand every patient the same preparation routine.

CO2 laser resurfacing is the treatment the practice performs most often. It uses precise laser energy to remove damaged outer layers of skin while stimulating collagen renewal. Since the treatment itself is customized, the preparation that leads up to it is customized too. The instructions you receive from the team are the ones to follow, rather than general preparation tips found online.

Step one: the consultation

Preparation begins with a complimentary consultation. This is where the practice determines the appropriate treatment depth and approach for your skin and goals. On the Lumenis UltraPulse Encore CO2 laser, the options range from ActiveFX, a lighter fractional treatment, through TotalFX, DeepFX and SCAAR FX, to MaxFX, deep corrective resurfacing. You can read more about this in our article on how CO2 laser treatment depth is chosen.

At the consultation, it helps to share:

• Your full medical history
• Any medications and supplements you take
• The skin care products you use now
• The concerns you most want to address
• Your schedule, so downtime can be discussed openly

If you have a health condition, or you are unsure whether a treatment is appropriate for you, talk it through with a qualified medical provider.

Medical-grade skin preparation

Care around the procedure at Sensational Skin includes medical-grade skin preparation before treatment. The practice carries medical-grade skin care lines, including ZO Skin Health and ZO Medical (by Zein Obagi, MD), Obagi and Alastin, and skin care plans are personalized at a consultation. Which products are part of your preparation, and how to use them, is decided for your skin rather than chosen from a standard list.

The practice's approach to skin health has deep roots. S. Kent Brown, M.D., the Medical Director, trained in advanced skin health with Dr. Zein Obagi in 1999, and Susan Brown trained at the Obagi Skin Treatment, Correction & Restoration Symposium that same year. More about the product lines is on the ZO Skin Health page.

Living with the Arizona sun

Sun is part of daily life in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Phoenix, and the desert sun is strong for much of the year. Sun damage and uneven pigmentation are among the concerns the practice lists for CO2 resurfacing, so it is natural that the topic of sun exposure comes up during planning. Your pre- and post-treatment guidance will cover what the team wants you to do about the sun around your treatment. If you spend a lot of time outdoors for work or recreation, mention it at your consultation so it can be part of the plan.

Jane Iredale mineral cosmetics, a sun-protecting makeup line, is also among the products the practice carries, and the team can talk through how it may fit your routine.

Planning your calendar around downtime

Downtime depends on depth. Lighter fractional treatments involve less downtime, while deeper MaxFX and full CO2 resurfacing need more healing time. Fractional treatments leave small bridges of untreated skin between treated areas, which is why fractional healing is faster than full resurfacing. Dr. Brown reviews expected recovery for your specific plan at the consultation, so you can plan around work, family and events with that in mind.

Preparation also means knowing what comes after. The care around CO2 resurfacing at the practice includes:

• A guided recovery protocol after treatment
• Stabilization treatments to support healing
• Weekend follow-up care

Knowing these steps ahead of time makes it easier to set aside the time you need.

Comfort is part of the plan

Dr. Brown is an anesthesiologist with more than 40 years of surgical experience and more than 25 years of CO2 laser experience. CO2 laser resurfacing at the practice includes anesthesiologist-directed comfort options, and which options fit you is discussed during planning. Our article on CO2 laser comfort options covers this in more detail.

Questions worth bringing to your consultation

• Which depth of CO2 treatment is being considered for my skin, and why?
• What does my skin preparation involve, and when should it start?
• What should I know about sun exposure before and after treatment?
• What does the recovery protocol look like for my plan?
• Who do I contact if I have a question while preparing or healing?

Every person's skin is different, and results vary. Details about the treatment are on the CO2 laser resurfacing page.

Book a CO2 laser consultation in Scottsdale

Sensational Skin has served patients since 1998, and people come to the practice from North Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Arcadia and Biltmore. If you are considering CO2 laser resurfacing, the first step in preparing is a complimentary consultation. The practice is located at 11111 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 115, Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Call or text (480) 596-9111 to schedule, or reach the team through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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