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Fine lines, sun damage, and changes in skin texture can develop gradually, even with a consistent skincare routine. At Papillion Plastic Surgery, we offer Tetra PRO CO₂ laser resurfacing to help improve these concerns with a treatment plan designed around your skin.
Our laser allows us to offer both CoolPeel, a lighter resurfacing treatment with a shorter recovery, and deeper CO₂ resurfacing for more pronounced wrinkles and selected scars. We will help you understand your options, what treatment involves, and what to expect during healing.
What Is Tetra PRO Laser Resurfacing?
Tetra PRO is a CO₂ laser that allows us to customize the depth and intensity of skin resurfacing. It treats targeted skin tissue and stimulates a healing response that can improve texture and support collagen remodeling.
At Papillion Plastic Surgery, we select the treatment approach based on your skin concerns, medical history, and recovery preferences. A lighter treatment may be appropriate for superficial concerns, while deeper resurfacing may be recommended when more intensive correction is needed.
CoolPeel and Deeper CO₂ Resurfacing
CoolPeel
CoolPeel is a superficial CO₂ laser treatment that can improve fine lines, rough texture, and selected sun related pigmentation with minimal downtime.
We may recommend CoolPeel when you want a lighter skin resurfacing treatment and can allow a short recovery period. Depending on your goals, we may recommend a series of treatments.
Although recovery is generally shorter than with deeper resurfacing, you should expect some temporary redness, warmth, dryness, or a rough skin texture.
Deeper CO₂ Laser Resurfacing
For more pronounced wrinkles, etched lines, or selected acne and other scars, we may recommend deeper CO₂ resurfacing.
This approach treats the skin more intensively and requires additional healing time. Before scheduling treatment, we will discuss the expected recovery, how we will keep you comfortable, and the care your skin will need afterward.
What Can We Treat?
Depending on your skin and the treatment selected, laser resurfacing may improve:
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Rough or uneven skin texture
• Sun damage and selected pigmentation concerns
• Acne scars and selected other scars
• Mild skin laxity
We will examine your skin and discuss which concerns are likely to respond to treatment. Some types of discoloration, scarring, or skin laxity may be better addressed with another approach.
Common Treatment Areas
We commonly evaluate the face for laser resurfacing. Depending on your needs, we may also consider selected areas of the neck, chest, hands, or body.
Each area requires its own treatment considerations. We will explain which areas we recommend treating and how that affects your appointment and recovery.
Your Consultation at Papillion Plastic Surgery
Your consultation begins with a conversation about what you would like to improve. We will examine your skin and review your medical history, medications, skincare routine, and previous treatments.
Please tell us about any history of cold sores, pigmentation changes, difficulty healing, or recent sun exposure. These details help us determine whether laser resurfacing is appropriate and how to plan your care.
We will discuss:
- Whether CoolPeel or deeper CO₂ resurfacing fits your goals
- The areas we recommend treating
- Whether a series of treatments may be beneficial
- How much recovery time to plan for
- Preparation and aftercare
- Treatment risks and expected improvement
- Pricing for your recommended plan
You will have time to ask questions before deciding whether to proceed.
What Happens During Your Treatment?
Preparing Your Skin
We will give you instructions before your appointment to help you prepare. These may include changes to your skincare routine and precautions around sun exposure.
When you arrive, we will review the treatment plan, answer any remaining questions, and prepare your skin. We will use numbing and other comfort measures as appropriate for the treatment selected.
Laser Treatment
Protective eyewear will be used during treatment. We will treat the planned areas with settings selected for your skin and goals.
You may feel warmth or a stinging sensation as the laser passes over your skin. The length of your appointment depends on the area treated, preparation, and treatment intensity.
Before You Leave
We will review your aftercare instructions, explain what is expected during healing, and tell you how to contact our office with concerns. We will also arrange follow up as appropriate for your treatment.
Recovery and Aftercare
After CoolPeel
Your skin may look red and feel warm or sunburned during the first few days. Dryness and a rough, sandpaper like texture may continue as your skin recovers.
We will explain how to cleanse and moisturize your skin and when you can return to makeup, exercise, and your usual skincare products.
After Deeper CO₂ Resurfacing
Deeper resurfacing requires more recovery time. You may experience swelling, peeling, crusting, or drainage during early healing. Redness can continue after the initial healing period.
We will review the expected recovery with you before treatment so you can plan time away from work, social events, and other activities.
Caring for Your Skin
Follow the instructions we provide for cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection. Avoid picking, rubbing, or scrubbing the treated skin. Use only the skincare products we have discussed until we advise you to resume your usual routine.
Contact our office if healing differs from what we described or you have questions about your recovery.
Potential Side Effects and Risks
Temporary redness, swelling, warmth, tenderness, dryness, and peeling can occur after laser resurfacing.
Other risks include infection, cold sore reactivation, changes in skin pigmentation, delayed healing, and scarring. We will discuss these risks during your consultation and explain how your skin type, medical history, and treatment intensity affect them.
Is Laser Resurfacing Right for You?
Laser resurfacing may be appropriate if you want to improve skin texture, sun damage, fine lines, wrinkles, or selected scars and can allow time for healing.
We carefully assess skin tone, recent tanning, pigmentation history, medications, active skin conditions, and healing history before recommending treatment. Deeper CO₂ resurfacing is not appropriate for every skin type.
If another treatment better fits your needs, we will explain that recommendation and discuss your options.
Why Choose Papillion Plastic Surgery?
At Papillion Plastic Surgery, we approach skin resurfacing as a personalized medical treatment. We take time to understand your concerns, explain the options, and plan for the care your skin will need afterward.
Our practice is led by Dr. Papillion. We focus on patient education, realistic expectations, and a treatment approach that fits your goals and recovery needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Schedule Your Consultation
If you are considering CoolPeel or CO₂ laser resurfacing, we invite you to meet with our team at Papillion Plastic Surgery. We will evaluate your skin, answer your questions, and help you understand which treatment fits your goals.