What I'm Reaching for after C02 Laser
If you follow me on socials, you likely saw that I had a C02 laser treatment recently. CO₂ laser is one of the most effective treatments we have for improving skin quality, but it is also one of the treatments where aftercare makes a significant difference to the final result.
This is a practical guide to CO₂ laser aftercare and the products I've been using during recovery.
C02 is the "big dog" when it comes to laser skin treatments.
It works by creating controlled injury in the skin, which stimulates collagen production and drives renewal over time. From a cosmetic point of view, we use it for;
- Improving fine lines
- Acne scarring
- Pigmentation
- Overall skin texture
It is not a quick fix, and it is not a treatment where you can ignore what happens afterwards. Because it is such a powerful treatment, the skin barrier is temporarily compromised afterwards. Water loss increases, the skin becomes more reactive, and it needs a very different approach compared to a standard skincare routine. Your post-care routine dictates how good your results will be.
WHAT THE SKIN NEEDS AFTER C02 LASER
If you keep one word in mind when it comes to C02 post-care, it should be gentle.
Post-CO₂ laser skin is not something I try to treat aggressively. At this stage, the focus shifts towards supporting the skin so it can heal properly (remember, we've just created thousands of tiny "cuts" in the skin!).
For every patient we treat in clinic, we focus on hydration, barrier repair and reducing water loss, while avoiding anything that might irritate or overstimulate the skin.
That usually means simplifying the routine and being quite selective about what we use. So, I've taken the same approach during my own recovery - using a combination of products I trust and a few newer additions that we are starting to integrate into our clinic C02 aftercare protocols.
No changes here because we all know I only use gentle cleansers in my routine.
After treatment, the skin does not tolerate anything harsh, so the priority is cleansing without disrupting the barrier.
This removes what it needs to without leaving the skin feeling tight or stripped, which is exactly what you want during recovery after CO₂ laser.
I've been alternating between La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum and SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan (HAIMG) depending on how my skin feels on a given day (or whatever is closest to hand when I'm doing my routine).
Both of these go well with the rest of my routine, and they really help my skin feel more comfortable for the day.
The first few days post-treatment the skin feels super dry and usually starts to flake. A hydrating serum is a non-negotiable.
One of the newer additions for me is Dr Althea 345 Relief Cream, which sits somewhere between a serum and a moisturiser. It's super nourishing but doesn't feel heavy on the skin at all.
We are starting to incorporate this into our CO₂ laser aftercare protocol because it supports the barrier in a way that feels lightweight and easy to tolerate, even when the skin is more sensitive than usual.
In the first few days after treatment, I kept things very simple and focused on keeping the skin nourished.
I started with CeraVe Advanced Repair Ointment, which works well at this stage when the skin feels more compromised and needs extra protection.
Alongside that, I have been reaching for the Round Lab Birch Juice Sheet Masks in the morning after waking. Oh my God these feel so good on the skin after Co2 - cooling, hydrating, soothing. Heaven!!
As the skin settles, I move towards a more structured moisturising routine.
Downtime with C02 varies from person to person (I'm a sweller, it took a few days for that to go down), but after maybe 4-5 days I'm really focusing on repair and comfort, which means switching up moisturisers.
I have been using the new Mimetique SkinRestore+ as my main moisturiser at this stage.
After like a week, I go back to some of my favourites to reintroduce products that support overall skin function and quality.
I reach for SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3 to help with redness and improve skin function, and Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 because lipids will really help get the skin back to full health.
I also find the COSRX moisturisers useful at this stage, and tend to switch between them depending on how the skin feels day to day.
SPF
My general advice post C02 is to avoid sun exposure for the first few days. After about a week or so, SPF is really important.
My favourite post-C02 SPF is the Tocobo Cica Calming Sun Serum It's super lightweight (more of a serum than a cream), really comfortable and cica is great for redness which some people will still be dealing with into their second week.
I'M TRIALLING SOMETHING
I've actually testing a new concealer from SPATCH at the moment. I don't usually wear concealer but after my C02 I had a few red marks so I wanted to see how this performed.
I'm still trialling it, but I am interested to see how it performs on post-procedure skin, particularly when there is still some residual redness. Watch this space!
A CONSIDERED APPROACH TO C02 AFTERCARE
After CO₂ laser, some people feel the need to actively treat the skin to improve results. Trust me, the treatment will do the work - you just have to focus on supporting the skin.
Post C02, less is absolutely more.
When the skin is supported properly, hydration improves, the barrier recovers more efficiently and the overall result tends to look better over time.
I documented my whole C02 journey over on Instagram if you want to see the whole healing process day by day!
Check that out here
If you think you'd like to try C02, come see us at Dr. Laura Clinic for a consultation! We've been doing more this year than ever before and the results blow us away every single time.
