CO₂ Laser Skin Resurfacing
in Greenville, SC
Dr. Shawn Birchenough is a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast surgery and aesthetics. Dr. Katherine Birchenough is certified in functional medicine and an expert in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. We are Greenville’s premier physician-run medical Wellness and Aesthetic center. At OptimalSelf MD, we offer CO₂ Laser Skin Resurfacing for men and women in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Spartanburg, and the surrounding communities in South Carolina.
What is CO₂ Laser Skin Resurfacing?
CO₂ Laser Skin Resurfacing is an advanced aesthetic procedure that uses fractional carbon dioxide laser energy to remove damaged skin on a microscale. This treatment improves moderate to severe lines, wrinkles, texture irregularities, sun damage, and scarring. The CO₂ laser stimulates new collagen production and reveals smoother, healthier, more youthful-looking skin. Patients love that CO₂ resurfacing provides powerful, natural-looking results without the need for more invasive surgery.
How Does CO₂ Laser Resurfacing Work?
CO₂ resurfacing uses controlled laser energy to create microscopic channels in the skin, removing damaged outer layers while sparing surrounding tissue. This fractional approach allows the skin to heal more quickly while triggering collagen remodeling and new cell turnover. As the skin regenerates, patients see an improvement in wrinkles, fine lines, discoloration, scars, and overall tone and texture—without the evidence of scarring.
Benefits of a CO₂ Laser Resurfacing Procedure
- In-office procedure performed with topical or local anesthesia
- Visible, natural-looking rejuvenation
- Improves moderate to severe wrinkles
- Smooths texture and reduces sun damage
- Treats acne scars and pigmentation concerns
- Stimulates collagen for long-term skin tightening
- Precisely targets damaged or aged skin
Who is an Ideal Candidate for CO₂ Laser Resurfacing?
CO₂ resurfacing is ideal for patients seeking a non-surgical solution for wrinkles, uneven texture, sun damage, and superficial to deep skin concerns. It is generally best suited for Fitzpatrick skin types I–III and select type IV patients depending on device settings.
This procedure should not be performed on individuals who have medical conditions that inhibit proper wound healing or women who are pregnant. Your provider will determine whether CO₂ resurfacing is safe for your skin type, medical history, and aesthetic goals.
What to Expect from a CO₂ Laser Procedure
On the day of your procedure, a topical or local anesthetic will be applied to the treatment area to keep you comfortable. Once numb, your provider will guide the CO₂ laser across the skin in a precise, grid-like pattern to create micro-injuries that immediately begin the healing process.
The laser removes damaged skin cells while stimulating new tissue regeneration. As healing begins, fresh, healthy skin emerges, leading to smoother texture, fewer wrinkles, and a more radiant complexion.