A Deep Dive into CO2 Laser With a Cosmetic Surgeon

laser face treatment in Menlo Park

Our clients come from all over the Bay Area, including Atherton and Menlo Park, for our aesthetic laser services. One of our favorite treatments is our CO2 laser, which also happens to be Entre Nous co-founder and plastic surgeon Dr. Jane Weston’s favorite laser procedure!

According to Dr. Weston, nothing else gets results like this resurfacing treatment! Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Weston is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in the San Francisco Bay Area specializing in surgical and non-surgical procedures for the face, breast and body. 

As a surgeon and aesthetic provider, Dr. Weston enjoys helping people feel better about themselves and loves the ever-advancing, non-invasive procedures. She loves helping others present their best selves to the world. With Entre Nous’ services, Dr. Weston and the rest of our providers aim to deliver results that are subtle enough to keep others guessing yet impressive enough to make a positive difference.

Below, Dr. Weston goes into a deep dive about CO2 treatment, a premier laser face treatment in Menlo Park at Entre Nous Aesthetics 👇

Treatment Overview | Laser face treatment in Menlo Park

What it does

CO2 laser is a versatile laser that can smooth out wrinkles, eliminate brown spots and stimulate collagen and elastin production, improving skin quality and texture. 

How it works

It uses the CO2RE® laser by Candela to create controlled skin injury to trigger the skin’s natural healing process. This process produces more collagen and elastin production to tighten and smooth the skin while improving areas of discoloration.

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Regulating the depth and strength of the CO2 energy allows us to customize the laser treatment for your unique skin condition and treatment goals!  

Types of candidates for CO2 

With the customizability of CO2 laser we can treat patients of all ages with a variety of skin concerns. 

If you have the below skin concerns and want to dramatically improve them, CO2 laser may be for you!

  • Deep wrinkles & lines
  • Acne, injury, & surgical scars
  • Skin laxity
  • Uneven skin tone & texture
  • Sun damage
  • Enlarged pores
  • Stretch marks
  • Age spots

Another testament to the versatility of CO2 laser is the different areas we can treat, like:

  • Lower eyelid
  • Upper eyelid
  • Around mouth
  • Forehead
  • Cheeks
  • Neck
  • Chest
  • Shoulders
  • Hands

To make sure this is the best treatment for you, you will have a consultation with Dr. Weston, where she will review your health & medical history, evaluate your skin, and discuss your goals with this treatment. She will create a custom treatment plan while considering factors like the extent of skin damage and your budget, tolerance for downtime, and your skin goals. 

treatment handpiece of a laser face treatment in Menlo Park

Treatment and results

Once we get to the day of treatment, Dr. Weston will follow your treatment plan. The depth of the laser varies between superficial, medium-depth, and deep laser resurfacing. The amount of downtime grows with the depth of treatment.

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Your results will continue to improve in the weeks following your procedure! Results will last for years with good sun protection and skin care.

Types of CO2 Procedures | Laser Face Treatment in Menlo Park

Because Dr. Weston and our team of providers tailor the CO2 laser for each client, our procedure process varies! Below is a summary for our 3 procedures using this laser:

  1. Light Laser Peel
  2. Fractionated Laser – “Fraxel”
  3. Ablative CO2 Resurfacing

Light Laser Peel

Ideal candidates

Light Laser Peel candidates are typically younger people in their 20s or 30s with mild skin concerns. Dr. Weston uses the CO2 laser to refresh the skin by providing a light peel. This peel improves the appearance of the skin and helps eliminate brown spots from photo damage. 

Recovery & maintenance

Because this is the lightest option for CO2 laser treatment, there is minimal downtime associated with the Light Laser Peel. To continue to improve your skin, you can repeat this light laser treatment monthly. 

Fractionated Laser – “Fraxel”

Ideal candidates

Fraxel is best for middle aged people in their 40s or 50s who are noticing skin laxity (loose, sagging skin) and loss of skin tone. The CO2 laser helps to stimulate collagen and elastin production, improving the texture, tightness, and overall appearance of the skin.

Treatment & recovery

Dr. Weston generally performs Fraxel as a series of 3 treatment sessions. This type of treatment will have a few days of downtime.  Our “Light and Bright” treatment combines Fractionated Laser with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) improving texture and targeting brown discoloration. 

Ablative CO2 Resurfacing

Ideal candidates

The best candidates for Ablative CO2 Resurfacing are those with deeply etched wrinkles on the cheeks and/or around the mouth and chin. This can be from years of sun damage and other environmental factors.

Treatment & recovery

Ablative CO2 laser treatments smooth out wrinkled skin on the face. Though this is an aggressive treatment, it is safe in experienced hands like Dr. Weston. Ablative CO2 Resurfacing is a one-time procedure which is extraordinarily effective in treating deep wrinkles. 

When used in the ablative mode, this laser will also provide skin tightening. We can only perform this type of treatment on the face.

FAQs | Laser Face Treatment in Menlo Park

Below we answer some of the most commonly asked questions about this laser treatment.

Is fractional CO2 laser painful?

Because it is a deep laser treatment, there is some discomfort with fractional CO2 laser. Our providers work to ensure you are comfortable throughout the treatment. Some clients describe the sensation like pin pricks. 

How often should you get the CO2 laser?

Since results last for several years, you do not need to get CO2 laser treatment often. We typically recommend patients get it around every 8 years as their skin continues to age. 

Can you use the CO2 laser on the neck?

Yes, we can use the CO2 laser on the neck! We can also use it on the face, chest, shoulders, and hands.

What is the recovery time for CO2 laser?

Your recovery time for CO2 laser depends on the depth of your treatment. For light-depth/superficial treatment, it can be as little as 24 hours. For the deepest treatments, recovery time can be up to 14 days of social downtime.

Which is better, IPL or CO2 laser?

If your concerns are primarily pigmentation like sun and age spots, or deep lines and wrinkles, CO2 laser may be a better option because it is a more in-depth treatment. A consultation with an Entre Nous skin specialist can help determine if IPL or CO2 laser is better for your skin.

Dr. Weston performing a laser face treatment in Menlo Park

Interested in med spa perks and savings? Check out our Membership Program ✨

Members of our Friends With Benefits program save $1300 or more a year! Most of our clients are on some type of med spa treatment routine, so why not make the most of it?! Starting at $199 a month, these memberships are the ultimate way to get a comprehensive med spa experience while maximizing your budget. 

  • Access to exclusive events
  • Monthly treatment perks (like HydraFacial, dermaplaning, and lymphatic massage!)
  • VIP savings on skincare products, cosmetic injectables, skin rejuvenation lasers, and body sculpting treatments

With 4 different memberships to choose from, there’s something for every Entre Nous client to get the best benefits for their unique needs. Whether you’re looking to target specific skin conditions like acne or melasma, or looking for general anti-aging treatments, this membership is great for all ages and skin types!

Members also receive complimentary comprehensive consultations with the providers of their choice so we can find the best combination of services for your long-term goals.

Membership

Get the best laser face treatment in Menlo Park with Dr. Jane Weston! 

Dr. Weston is a renowned plastic surgeon and aesthetic care provider. As a talented specialist with a passion for all things aesthetics, CO2 laser is her favorite treatment because of the dramatic difference it achieves for her clients’ skin. 

Dr. Weston’s hours:

Monday

Surgery hours

Tuesday

9 am – 5 pm

Wednesday

9 am – 6 pm

Thursday

Surgery hours

Friday

Flexible schedule to include EN procedures, surgery follow-ups, surgery hours, administrative time

Saturday

By appointment

With a philosophy on viewing her services as both a science and an art, Dr. Weston delivers exceptional, natural results for her patients. Dr. Weston loves improving the lives of her patients through her work and continuing the advancement of our services at Entre Nous. 

Why Entre Nous Aesthetics? | Laser Face Treatment in Menlo Park

Entre Nous is the go-to med spa in Menlo Park—for good reason! We have state-of-the-art technology, highly-trained staff, and luxury offices to give our clients the best experience possible. Experts in their field perform all of our consultations and treatments, so you can relax knowing you are safe in the most skilled and practiced hands.

We serve clients from all over Menlo Park and the surrounding areas, including Atherton, Palo Alto, Mountain View, and more. Contact us by phone at [650] 363-0300, schedule with us online, or try out an instant consultation to learn about the best treatments for you!

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