What it is

CO2 laser resurfacing is the most powerful skin resurfacing treatment we offer: a fractional laser removes microscopic columns of damaged skin and heats the deeper layers, leaving healthy skin between the columns to speed healing.

At Blue Harbor Medical & Aesthetics, CO2 treatments are performed by Olivia Carter, MD, who trained one-on-one in CO2 laser with more than 100 hands-on hours. Numbing cream and other comfort measures are used, and the face takes about an hour.

Why it helps

Deep wrinkles, scars and heavy sun damage live below the surface, where peels and gentle lasers cannot reach. CO2 removes that damaged tissue and triggers a strong healing response. The skin rebuilds itself with new collagen for months afterward.

One CO2 treatment can produce a change that a long series of lighter treatments cannot match.

Benefits

  • Softer deep wrinkles, including lines around the mouth and eyes.
  • Marked improvement in sun damage, rough texture and uneven tone.
  • Smoother acne scars and surgical scars.
  • Firmer, tighter skin as collagen rebuilds over 3 to 6 months.
  • Results that last for years with sun protection and good skin care.
  • Removal of sun-damaged surface skin.

Risks and side effects

  • Real downtime. Expect 7 to 14 days of redness, swelling, oozing and crusting, with careful wound care at home.
  • Lingering pinkness for several weeks, and sometimes a few months.
  • Infection, bacterial or a cold sore outbreak. We prescribe a preventive antiviral, and you need to follow aftercare closely.
  • Dark patches after healing, more likely in deeper skin tones and with sun exposure. These usually fade with treatment.
  • Light patches or scarring. These are uncommon and can be permanent.
  • Acne flares or milia (tiny white bumps) during healing.
  • Strict sun avoidance for months afterward.

Who should wait or skip it

CO2 is not for everyone. It carries more risk in deeper skin tones, and it is not done during pregnancy, on tanned skin, over active infections or soon after isotretinoin. Tell us if you form keloids, have had radiation to the face, smoke or have a condition that slows healing.

Book a consultation

Want to learn more about co2 laser resurfacing?

Call 207-264-8128 or book online at blueharbormedical.com We are at 79 Elm Street, Camden, Maine. Patients travel from Portland, Brunswick, Boothbay, Augusta and Bangor for CO2 laser resurfacing.

This page is general information, not medical advice. Treatment is offered only after an evaluation determines it is appropriate for you. Individual results vary.