Candela CO2RE® Laser
What is Candela CO2RE® laser treatment?
Candela CO2RE® is a laser treatment system for skin resurfacing and facial rejuvenation. The treatment promotes a youthful appearance by minimizing wrinkles and fine lines, and is also highly effective at treating:
- Sun damage
- Facial or body scarring, including acne scars, surgical scars, hypertrophic scars, and trauma scars
- Hyperpigmentation
- Uneven skin texture
- Stretch marks
- Actinic keratoses
- Seborrheic keratosis
- Rhinophyma, a condition that causes an enlarged, bumpy nose
How does the CO2RE® laser work?
The CO2RE® laser delivers controlled energy to the surface of the skin as well as its lower layers. This creates precise, microscopic wounds in the skin, which triggers the body’s natural healing process. As your skin heals, the body increases the production of collagen and healthy skin cells.
Am I a candidate for CO2RE® laser treatment?
CO2RE® is an ideal treatment for anyone who wants to rejuvenate and restore healthy skin. If you’re looking for a skin resurfacing treatment that helps to achieve younger-looking skin without a lengthy recovery time, CO2RE® laser treatment may be the right treatment for you. The procedure can minimize the appearance of fine lines, deep wrinkles, acne scars, brown spots, and improve rough or uneven skin texture.
What can I expect during CO2RE® laser treatment?
At the start of your CO2RE® laser treatment session, your Forefront practitioner will apply a topical or local anesthetic to reduce discomfort. As the handpiece glides over your skin, the laser is applied to the treatment area, which targets wrinkles, uneven skin texture, stretch marks, hyperpigmentation, and other skin imperfections. Some people describe the discomfort associated with the procedure as a rubber band snapping against the skin.

What is the recovery like after CO2RE® laser treatment?
The CO2RE® laser uses a reduced amount of energy during treatment, and it only treats a fraction of the skin at once. This results in a shorter recovery period and less downtime compared to other treatments. Your recovery period will depend on the depth of the laser. For lighter treatments, it may take a couple of days. Deeper treatments may require a recovery period of up to two weeks.
For several days after your CO2RE® treatment session, your skin will appear swollen and red, similar to a sunburn. As dead skin cells are shed and healthier skin is revealed, you can also expect the peeling of dead skin from the treatment area. This is a result of the natural exfoliation process and may last a week to 10 days.
After your CO2RE treatment session, you can expect your skin to appear swollen and red. The swelling and redness are similar to a sunburn and can last for a few days. As dead skin cells are shed and healthier skin is revealed, you can also expect the peeling of dead skin from the treatment area. This is a result of the natural exfoliation process and may last a week to 10 days.

When will I see results from CO2RE® laser treatment?
The results of your CO2RE® laser treatment are visible after your skin fully heals, and most patients achieve their desired results after a single treatment session. As your skin sheds dead cells and collagen production increases, you’ll start to see firmer, brighter, and healthier skin. In the days and weeks after treatment, your skin will gradually appear softer and smoother. Wrinkles, lines, brown spots, and uneven texture will also show improvement as your skin rejuvenates and produces collagen and healthy skin cells.
Results from CO2RE®are long-lasting and are visible for several years after treatment. To prolong your results and prevent sun damage, brown spots, sunspots, and wrinkles, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and avoid sun exposure, especially on unprotected skin.
What are the benefits and risks of CO2RE® treatment?
CO2RE® laser treatment offers many advantages to patients, including:
- An in-office procedure that is non-surgical and non-invasive
- Only one treatment session needed for visible results
- Provides long-lasting results
- Provides strong skin resurfacing with minimal downtime
- Treats a wide variety of common skin concerns, including fine lines, deep-set wrinkles, sun damage, brown spots, and scarring
Risks are minimal when a board-certified dermatologist provides CO2RE® laser treatment, but some are possible, including:
- Burns
- Skin damage
- Scarring
- Bacterial skin infections
- Reactivation of cold sores
- Changes in skin color
During your consultation, your physician will discuss how to best minimize these risks.
CO2RE Treatment at Forefront Dermatology
Want to learn more about the benefits of skin resurfacing with CO2RE® laser treatment? Make an appointment at a Forefront practice near you.
Interested in Candela CO2RE® Laser? Request a consultation with a skin specialist today.
*Treatment options may vary at each location.Please confirm your desired treatment is offered at your preferred location when scheduling. *Age Restriction.
For patients scheduling who are under 18 years of age (19 in Alabama and Nebraska) please make sure you have permission from your parent or legal guardian to schedule this appointment. Your parent or legal guardian must accompany you on your initial visit and on certain subsequent visits to provide appropriate informed consent.