CO2 laser resurfacing in Anaheim Hills
Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing removes damaged skin in a grid of microscopic columns and triggers new collagen underneath. It is the treatment we recommend when wrinkles, acne scars, sun damage or crepey skin are too established for lighter options, and you can accept about a week of redness and peeling.
CO2 laser resurfacing at a glance
A CO2 laser session at Epic IV takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on the area, after numbing cream has been applied. Expect 3 to 7 days of redness, swelling and peeling, then skin that keeps improving for several weeks as collagen rebuilds. Many patients book a single session; your clinician will tell you at the consultation whether your scars or lines are likely to need another.
| Treatment time | 30 to 60 minutes, plus numbing |
|---|---|
| Numbing | Topical numbing cream, applied before every session |
| Downtime | 3 to 7 days of redness, swelling and peeling |
| Results | Visible as the peeling clears, improving for several weeks |
| Sessions | Often one. Deep acne scars sometimes need more |
| Device | DEKA SmartXide fractional CO2 |
| Performed by | Registered nurses Tiffani Vo, RN and Karina Jacobo, RN, BSN, PHN |
| Price | Full face special $700, confirmed at your free consultation. See the specials |
What CO2 laser resurfacing treats
Wrinkles and fine lines
CO2 works on the lines that are there when your face is at rest: around the mouth, across the cheeks, under the eyes. Botox® Cosmetic softens lines made by movement. CO2 resurfaces the skin itself, so the two are often planned together rather than chosen between.
Acne scars and surgical scars
Rolling and boxcar acne scars respond to fractional CO2 because the laser both removes the scar's shoulder and stimulates collagen in the base. Ice-pick scars are harder and sometimes need more than one session. If your scars are shallow and your main complaint is texture, microneedling may get you there with less downtime; the consultation decides.
Sun damage and pigmentation
Years of Southern California sun show up as sunspots, uneven tone and a rough, dull surface. Resurfacing lifts the damaged outer layer and evens the tone underneath. You will need to be strict about sunscreen afterwards, which is why we schedule most CO2 work for fall and winter.
Texture and enlarged pores
CO2 smooths rough patches and tightens the appearance of pores as the new skin forms.
Loose and crepey skin
On the lower face, neck, chest and backs of the hands, thin crepey skin tightens as collagen remodels in the weeks after treatment. For sagging rather than crepiness, start at the skin tightening page, which sorts treatments by body area.
Fractional versus fully ablative CO2
A fully ablative CO2 laser removes the entire surface of the treated skin. A fractional CO2 laser, which is what we use, treats a grid of microscopic columns and leaves the skin between them intact. Those untouched bridges are why fractional recovery is measured in days rather than weeks: the skin heals from the inside of the grid outwards. Depth and density are set for each patient, from a light refresh to a deep resurfacing, so one device covers a wide range of concerns.
The device: DEKA SmartXide CO2
Epic IV uses a DEKA SmartXide® fractional CO2 laser. DEKA's CO2 platform lets the clinician set the depth, the density of the grid and the pulse shape independently, which is what allows the same laser to run a gentle CoolPeel® treatment one day and a deep scar resurfacing the next.
CO2 treatments at Epic IV are performed by our registered nurses, and your treatment plan is set at the consultation, not at the laser. The clinic's medical director is Dr. Christine Rongey, MD.
What to expect
Consultation
A clinician looks at your skin, asks about your health history, medications and any history of cold sores, and sets the treatment depth and plan. You leave knowing the cost and the recovery you are signing up for.
Before your session
Stop retinoids and exfoliating acids for the period your clinician specifies, stay out of the sun, and arrive with clean skin. If you get cold sores, you will be given an antiviral to start beforehand.
Treatment day
Numbing cream goes on first. The laser passes take 30 to 60 minutes depending on the area. You will feel heat and a snapping sensation, and your skin will feel like a strong sunburn when you leave.
Days 1 to 2
Redness and swelling are at their peak. Rest, keep the skin moist with the aftercare products you are sent home with, and sleep with your head raised.
Days 3 to 7
Peeling. The old surface lifts away and the new skin underneath is pink and smooth. Most people are back at work by the end of the week, with mineral sunscreen on.
Weeks 2 to 12
Collagen remodelling continues under the surface. Lines and scars keep softening for several weeks after the redness has gone.
Is CO2 laser resurfacing right for you?
You are likely a good candidate if you:
- Have wrinkles, acne scars, sun damage or crepey skin that lighter treatments have not shifted
- Can take about a week with a red, peeling face, away from the sun
- Will commit to daily sunscreen afterwards
- Have realistic expectations: CO2 improves skin, it does not make it new
You should wait, or choose something else, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an active skin infection, open acne or a cold sore flare in the treatment area, have taken isotretinoin recently, have a history of keloid scarring, or have a tan or an event in the next two weeks. If you have a deeper skin tone, your clinician will talk through the higher risk of pigment change and may recommend CoolPeel, microneedling or a more conservative setting instead.
What CO2 resurfacing costs in Anaheim Hills
Current special
Specials run through December 31, 2026 and may change. Your price is confirmed at your consultation, before anything is booked.
For other areas (face and neck, chest, hands, or a single zone such as around the mouth), the price depends on the area and the depth your clinician sets, and you get an exact figure at your free consultation. The $199 a month membership does not currently discount laser treatments; it covers dermal filler, tox and retail skin care.
CO2 laser resurfacing versus CoolPeel
Both run on the same DEKA CO2 platform. The difference is depth, and therefore downtime and result.
| Fractional CO2 resurfacing | CoolPeel® | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Established wrinkles, acne scars, sun damage, crepey skin | Texture, pores, mild sun damage, fine lines, maintenance |
| Session | 30 to 60 minutes | 15 to 30 minutes |
| Downtime | 3 to 7 days of redness and peeling | 1 to 2 days of mild redness |
| Sessions | Often one | A series of three, 4 to 6 weeks apart |
| Result | Deep change after one session | Gradual improvement that builds over the series |
If you are not sure which you need, book the consultation and ask for both to be explained side by side. CoolPeel in Anaheim Hills
CO2 laser resurfacing questions, answered
Anything this page does not answer, a clinician will at your free consultation.
How much does CO2 laser resurfacing cost in Anaheim Hills?
A full face CO2 treatment is $700 on the current special, and a package of three DEKA CO2 treatments is $2,500. Other areas depend on the size of the area and the depth of the treatment, and you get an exact price at your free consultation before anything is booked.
How long is recovery after a CO2 laser treatment?
Plan for 3 to 7 days of redness, swelling and peeling. Most patients are back at work within a week, wearing mineral sunscreen, and the skin keeps improving for several weeks after that as collagen rebuilds.
Does CO2 laser resurfacing hurt?
Numbing cream is applied before every session. During the passes you feel heat and a snapping sensation, and afterwards the skin feels like a strong sunburn for a day or two. Most patients describe it as intense but manageable.
How many CO2 laser sessions will I need?
Many patients see a clear change from a single fractional CO2 session. Deep acne scars sometimes need a second session, and your clinician will say so at the consultation rather than after the first treatment.
Is a CO2 laser good for acne scars?
Yes, fractional CO2 is one of the strongest treatments for rolling and boxcar acne scars because it resurfaces the scar edge and stimulates collagen in its base. Shallow scars and texture can often be treated with microneedling and less downtime; the consultation decides which fits.
What is the best time of year for CO2 laser resurfacing?
Fall and winter. New skin after resurfacing is more vulnerable to the sun, and it is easier to avoid sun exposure and keep up with sunscreen in the cooler months.
Can I have Botox or filler at the same time as a CO2 laser?
Often yes, but usually in a planned order rather than in one sitting, because the skin needs to heal before injectables are placed. Your clinician will sequence them at the consultation.
Do you see patients from Yorba Linda and Orange for CO2 laser treatments?
Yes. The clinic is on Weir Canyon Road in Anaheim Hills, a short drive from Yorba Linda, and patients come from Orange and Villa Park as well. Both areas have their own page with directions.
Who performs the CO2 laser treatment at Epic IV?
CO2 laser treatments at Epic IV are performed by our registered nurses, Tiffani Vo, RN and Karina Jacobo, RN, BSN, PHN, with the treatment plan set at your consultation.
You might also consider
Patients come from Anaheim Hills, Yorba Linda, Orange and Villa Park.
Keep exploring
Other treatment categories
- Body contouring
- Botox and Dysport
- Chemical peels
- Dermal fillers
- Dermaplaning
- EZ Gel under-eye treatment
- Hair restoration
- IV therapy
Read: How Long Does Botox Last? When to Book Again Read: Laser Skin Treatments: CO2 vs CoolPeel Explained Read: What to Expect From Your First CoolPeel
Performed at the studio in Anaheim, for clients across Anaheim, Orange and Yorba Linda.
Start with a free consultation
A clinician will look at your skin and tell you whether CO2, CoolPeel or something gentler is the right first step, and what it will cost.
Epic IV Hydration & Med Spa, 731 S Weir Canyon Rd, Suite 139, Anaheim, CA 92808. Mon to Sat, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.