CO2 Laser Resurfacing

CO₂ Laser Resurfacing

Discover the Beauty of Renewal with CO₂ Laser Resurfacing in Kirkland, WA. Achieve natural-looking results with no downtime.

Advanced Laser Dermatology · Kirkland, WA

CO₂ Laser
Resurfacing

Kirkland · Seattle · Eastside King County

97%
Patient Satisfaction
1–3
Sessions Needed
10+
Years of Results
30min
Treatment Time

The gold standard in non-surgical skin renewal — clinically proven to reverse photoaging, resurface acne scars, and restore skin firmness at a structural level.

Seattle
Bellevue
Redmond
Kirkland
Sammamish
Issaquah
Woodinville
Mercer Island

What is CO₂ Laser
Resurfacing?

Choose Your Level

At Templum, we offer two CO₂ protocols tailored to different levels of skin concern and patient lifestyle.

Renew CO₂

Targeted fractional resurfacing with faster recovery. Best for moderate concerns and active patients.

5–7 days
Downtime
1–3 sessions
Typical course
Types I–IV
Fitzpatrick range

Restore CO₂

Complete skin resurfacing for transformative results. The gold standard for advanced aging and significant scarring.

10–14 days
Downtime
1 session
Typical course
Types I–III
Fitzpatrick range

Renew or Restore — Which is Right for You?

Both treatments use CO₂ laser technology. The difference is depth, intensity, and the level of concern each addresses.

Renew CO₂ Fractional
Laser type Fractional CO₂
Treatment depth Mid-dermal
Best for Moderate concerns, active patients
Downtime 5–7 days
Sessions needed 1–3 sessions
Results timeline 3–6 months
Skin preserved 70–80% intact surrounding tissue
Fitzpatrick range Types I–IV
Anaesthesia Topical numbing cream
Ideal for Moderate wrinkles, acne scars, texture

Restore CO₂ Full-Field
Laser type Full-field ablative CO₂
Treatment depth Deep dermal
Best for Advanced aging, significant scarring
Downtime 10–14 days
Sessions needed Usually 1 session
Results timeline 6–12 months
Skin preserved Full surface treated
Fitzpatrick range Types I–III (specialist assessment for IV)
Anaesthesia Topical + optional oral sedation
Ideal for Deep wrinkles, severe scarring, laxity

Not sure which service is right for you?

Our providers assess your Fitzpatrick skin type, photograph your concerns, and recommend the protocol matched to your goals — not the most aggressive option available.

Renew CO₂ — Fractional
Resurfacing

Renew CO₂ uses fractional laser technology to treat a precise grid of microscopic zones across the skin — leaving surrounding tissue intact. This “fractional” approach triggers meaningful collagen remodelling while preserving enough healthy tissue to enable faster recovery. It is Templum’s most popular CO₂ protocol.

Fractional
Mid-Depth
5–7 Day Downtime

Ideal Candidates

  • Moderate fine lines and perioral wrinkles
  • Mild to moderate acne scarring (rolling, boxcar)
  • Uneven skin texture and enlarged pores
  • Early skin laxity on face and neck
  • Sun damage and mild pigmentation irregularities
  • Patients who cannot take more than one week of downtime

Recovery Timeline

Days 1–2 · Acute
Redness & swelling
Keep skin moist with prescribed barrier cream. Avoid all other skincare products.
Days 3–4 · Shedding
Skin begins to flake
Do not pick or exfoliate. Continue barrier cream protocol throughout.
Days 5–7 · Clearing
New skin surfaces
Skin sheds fully. Pinkness continues. SPF50+ is essential from this point forward.
Weeks 2–4 · Remodelling
Texture improves noticeably
Residual pink fades. Makeup can resume after Day 10. Collagen rebuilding accelerates.
Months 3–6 · Peak results
Full results visible
Collagen maturation complete. Skin firm, smooth, and luminous. Results last 3–5 years.
01
Pre-treatment prep
2–4 weeks of medical-grade topicals to optimise your skin’s healing response and reduce post-inflammatory pigmentation risk.
02
Numbing & comfort
Medical-grade numbing cream applied 45–60 minutes before your session. A cooling fan system maintains comfort throughout.
03
Laser treatment
The fractional handpiece is passed across the area in controlled sequences. Fluence and density adjusted in real-time. 30–45 minutes total.

Restore CO₂ — Full-Field
Resurfacing

Restore CO₂ is Templum’s most transformative laser treatment — a full-field ablative protocol that removes the entire surface of damaged skin to reveal the healthy tissue beneath. Unlike fractional approaches, full-field resurfacing treats 100% of the skin surface, delivering more dramatic results from a single session. It is the closest non-surgical equivalent to a surgical face procedure.

Full-Field Ablative
Deep Dermal
10–14 Day Downtime

Ideal Candidates

  • Deep wrinkles, perioral lines, and significant photoaging
  • Moderate to severe acne scarring unresponsive to fractional treatment
  • Advanced sun damage and extensive pigmentation irregularities
  • Visible skin laxity on face, neck, and periorbital area
  • Surgical and trauma scarring requiring full resurfacing
  • Patients seeking maximum results prepared for extended recovery

Recovery Timeline

Days 1–3 · Acute
Significant redness & swelling
Strict wound care protocol. Minimal social exposure. Barrier cream applied continuously.
Days 4–6 · Crusting
Skin crusts and peels
Do not pick under any circumstances. No makeup during this phase.
Days 7–10 · Major shedding
New skin surfaces
Marked pinkness — plan to remain at home. SPF50+ becomes critical from this point.
Weeks 2–4 · Fading
Pink-red tone gradually fades
Texture dramatically improved. Mineral makeup from Day 14. Collagen remodelling accelerates.
Months 6–12 · Peak results
Full transformation visible
Deep wrinkles softened, scars significantly improved, skin firm and radiant. Results last 5–10 years.
Important — Fitzpatrick IV–VI skin tones: Full-field ablative resurfacing carries a higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in darker skin tones. Our clinicians are trained in modified protocols — lower fluence, adjusted density, mandatory pre-treatment preparation — that significantly reduce this risk. A thorough in-person assessment is mandatory before Restore CO₂ is recommended for Fitzpatrick IV and above.
01
Mandatory 4–6 week prep
Prescription-strength topicals, antiviral prophylaxis, and in some cases oral medication. Non-negotiable — significantly reduces complication risk.
02
Anaesthesia & comfort
Strong topical anaesthesia with optional oral sedation available. Full patient comfort is prioritised throughout the procedure.
03
Full-field treatment
The full-field handpiece treats the entire skin surface in overlapping passes. Your clinician works methodically through each aesthetic zone. 45–75 minutes total.

Conditions We Treat

CO₂ laser resurfacing is one of the most versatile aesthetic treatments available, addressing a wide spectrum of skin concerns.

01
Fine Lines & Wrinkles
Perioral lines, crow’s feet, forehead creases, and general skin laxity from intrinsic aging.
02
Acne Scarring
Atrophic scars, ice-pick, boxcar, and rolling scar textures across the face and body.
03
Sun Damage & Pigmentation
Solar lentigines, mottled tone, uneven pigmentation, and photodamaged texture.
04
Skin Laxity
Early to moderate laxity on face, neck, and periorbital area requiring collagen induction.
05
Surgical & Trauma Scars
Post-surgical scarring, burn scars, and dermal irregularities requiring full resurfacing.
06
Enlarged Pores & Texture
Visible pore size, uneven surface, and persistent roughness unresponsive to topicals.
07
Neck & Décolletage Aging
Crepey texture, horizontal neck lines, and chest pigmentation from cumulative sun exposure.
08
Periorbital Concerns
Fine lines around the eyes and mild eyelid skin laxity treatable without surgery.

Evidence-Based Results

Visible results after one session
Most patients notice significant improvement following their first treatment. Results continue to develop over 3–12 months as new collagen matures.
Long-lasting structural renewal
Unlike injectables requiring regular top-ups, CO₂ laser creates structural changes in skin that can last 5–10 years with proper sun protection.
Fully customisable treatment
Depth, density, and energy settings are individualised to your concerns, skin type, and lifestyle — from subtle refinement to transformative resurfacing.
25+ years of clinical data
Over two decades of peer-reviewed research and FDA clearance. When performed by qualified clinicians, serious complications are rare and manageable.
Multi-layer skin improvement
Simultaneously addresses the epidermis (texture, pigment) and dermis (wrinkles, collagen), achieving comprehensive rejuvenation in fewer sessions.
Minimally invasive approach
Achieves outcomes comparable to surgical procedures without incisions or general anaesthesia — at a fraction of the recovery time and cost.

Are You a Good Candidate?

CO₂ laser delivers the best results for patients with realistic expectations and appropriate skin characteristics.

Ideal Candidates

Best suited for CO₂ laser resurfacing

  • Fitzpatrick skin types I–IV (lighter to medium skin tones)
  • Visible photoaging, wrinkles, or acne scarring
  • Non-smokers or those who have quit for 4+ weeks
  • Not pregnant or breastfeeding
  • No active skin infections or inflammatory conditions
  • Able to plan appropriate downtime for chosen protocol
  • Committed to post-treatment sun protection
!

Requires Prior Consultation

More detailed assessment by our medical team

  • Darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick V–VI) — modified protocols required
  • History of keloid or hypertrophic scarring
  • Recent isotretinoin (Accutane) use within 12 months
  • Active autoimmune conditions affecting healing
  • History of radiation to the treatment area
  • Recurrent cold sores (manageable with prophylaxis)

Expert Care, Transparent Process

Specialist-led treatments
Every CO₂ procedure at Templum is performed or directly supervised by clinicians with advanced laser certification. This is not a treatment delegated to junior staff.
Fitzpatrick-specific protocols
We are trained in modified settings for South Asian, East Asian, and mixed skin tones — significantly reducing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation risk.
Two CO₂ options under one roof
Renew and Restore protocols allow us to match treatment intensity precisely to your skin concern and lifestyle — not fit you into a one-size solution.
Mandatory consultation
We do not book CO₂ treatments without an in-person skin assessment. This is for your safety and the quality of your results — not a formality.
Transparent recovery guidance
We tell you exactly what to expect during recovery — including the difficult days — so you can plan with complete confidence and zero surprises.
Transparent pricing
A detailed cost breakdown is provided at your consultation with no obligation. Flexible payment plans are available. No surprise fees.
Ready to Transform?

Reveal Smoother, Brighter,
Healthier Skin

Schedule your complimentary CO₂ laser consultation at Templum Aesthetics & Wellness in Kirkland. Our clinicians will assess your skin in person, recommend the right protocol — Renew or Restore — and walk you through realistic expectations, recovery, and cost with complete transparency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Renew CO₂ and Restore CO₂?

Renew CO₂ is a fractional treatment — it targets a precise grid of microscopic zones while leaving surrounding tissue intact, giving you meaningful results with 5–7 days of downtime. Restore CO₂ is a full-field ablative treatment that resurfaces the entire skin surface, delivering more dramatic results — particularly for deep wrinkles and significant scarring — with 10–14 days of recovery. Your clinician will recommend the right protocol at consultation based on your skin concern and lifestyle.

Is CO₂ laser treatment painful?

Topical anaesthetic cream is applied 45–60 minutes before your session, making the procedure well-tolerated by most patients. You may feel warmth and mild stinging during treatment. Post-procedure discomfort is similar to a moderate sunburn and subsides within 48–72 hours with prescribed aftercare. Restore CO₂ patients may opt for oral sedation for additional comfort.

How many sessions will I need?

Renew CO₂ typically requires 1–3 sessions spaced 8–12 weeks apart. Restore CO₂ often achieves the patient’s goals in a single session. Your clinician will outline the recommended protocol and realistic outcomes at your initial assessment — no two patients are the same.

Is CO₂ laser safe for Indian, South Asian, and darker skin tones?

CO₂ laser requires specialist expertise for Fitzpatrick IV–VI skin tones. Our clinicians are trained in lower-fluence, modified-density protocols combined with a mandatory pre-treatment preparation phase that significantly reduces the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. A thorough in-person assessment is required before CO₂ treatment is recommended for darker skin types.

How long do results last?

Renew CO₂ results typically last 3–5 years with proper sun protection. Restore CO₂ structural improvements — particularly wrinkle reduction and scar improvement — often persist 5–10 years. Results are significantly extended by consistent SPF use, medical-grade skincare, and occasional maintenance treatments every 2–3 years.

Can I combine CO₂ laser with other treatments?

Yes. CO₂ laser is frequently combined with PRP for enhanced healing and recovery, dermal fillers post-recovery for volume restoration, and medical-grade skincare programmes for maintenance. Combinations are sequenced strategically to maximise results without compromising safety. Botulinum toxin is typically administered 2 weeks before or after.

What should I avoid before my treatment?

In the 2 weeks before treatment, avoid sun tanning, self-tanning products, retinoids, chemical exfoliants (AHAs/BHAs), waxing, and other laser or energy-based treatments in the area. Avoid anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen for 5 days prior unless medically necessary. Full pre-care instructions are provided at your consultation.

When can I return to work after CO₂ laser?

Renew CO₂ patients typically feel comfortable returning to work with makeup from Day 7–10. Restore CO₂ patients should plan for 10–14 days of social downtime. We recommend scheduling your treatment before a planned quieter period for the most comfortable experience

What does CO₂ laser treatment cost at Templum?

Pricing is customised based on the protocol chosen (Renew or Restore), the area treated, and the number of sessions. A transparent cost breakdown is provided at your complimentary consultation with no obligation. Flexible payment plans are available for all CO₂ treatments.