Mr Christopher West, plastic surgeon Book a consultation
A woman with fair hair tied back looking at the camera against a dark background.

CO2 laser resurfacing

Stimulates the skin's own regeneration for brighter, healthier skin.

Book a consultation Questions and answers

The treatment

CO2 laser resurfacing uses a laser to stimulate the skin's natural regeneration. Production of collagen and elastin increases, which reduces wrinkles and leaves the skin looking and feeling healthier.

Most surgical procedures remove excess skin and tissue but they do not improve the quality of the tissue. CO2 laser resurfacing, alone or alongside other procedures, stimulates regeneration and so improves the quality of the skin. This regeneration continues for many months after the treatment.

The laser's settings can be adjusted, so it can be used on many areas. The most common are the face, mouth, under the eyes and neck. It treats many skin concerns too, including wrinkles, fine lines, sun damage, age spots and pigmentation.

Laser resurfacing is a very popular treatment in combination with face and neck lift surgery.

In theatre
60 to 90 minutes
Anaesthetic
Local or general
Downtime
2 to 3 weeks
Exercise
3 weeks
Suited to
Crepey skin, fine lines and wrinkles, smoker's lines and scars.
How it works
Small, precise burns made in the skin by the laser stimulate healing and regeneration, with new elastin and collagen.
The result
Brighter, healthier skin, fewer wrinkles and improved scars.
The procedure room at the clinic, the couch under the operating light.

Step by step

From the first consultation to your recovery.

  1. Your consultation

    Book a consultation online or call the team. Consultations are in York and Leeds, with virtual consultations for patients travelling from further afield.

  2. The day of treatment

    CO2 laser resurfacing takes 60 to 90 minutes under local or general anaesthetic.

  3. Recovery

    Downtime is usually around 2 to 3 weeks.

What patients say

Reviews from Mr West's Google profile, published as written.

Read every review on Google

Before you book

The question patients ask most often. Anything specific to one patient is covered at the consultation.

What is the downtime after this procedure?

Straight after treatment the skin looks red and feels hot to the touch, much like mild sunburn, for 3 to 4 days. You will have mild itching and visible crusting of the skin for around 10 days, with slight pinkness fading over about 3 weeks.

Book a consultation

A consultation with Mr West covers the anatomy, what surgery can realistically achieve and the risks involved. A fixed written quote follows afterwards.

Surgery is only planned after this assessment, with time to reflect before any decision. Virtual consultations are available for patients travelling from further afield.

Book a consultation
A patient is welcomed at the reception desk of the Coppergate Clinic in York.