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CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing | Melbourne & Geelong
Texture issues, scarring, pigmentation, deep wrinkles. When surface-level treatments stop delivering, CO2 laser is where real change begins.
CO2 fractional laser resurfacing is the gold standard in skin correction. It's the treatment dermatologists and skin clinicians have trusted for decades because it works at a level that lighter treatments simply can't reach. It removes damaged surface cells, stimulates deep collagen production, and rebuilds your skin's structure from the inside out.
At St James Aesthetics, we offer three depths of CO2 laser (Light, Medium, and Deep) so your treatment is matched to your skin, your goals, and the level of downtime you're comfortable with.
Available at our clinics in Camberwell, Moonee Ponds,
and Geelong.
How CO2 laser works
CO2 fractional laser works by delivering controlled micro-columns of thermal energy into the skin, while leaving the surrounding tissue intact. This creates thousands of tiny treatment zones called Microthermal Treatment Zones (MTZs).
Your body responds by pushing out the damaged tissue (you'll see this as MENDS, or Microscopic Epidermal Necrotic Debris, in the days following treatment) and replacing it with fresh, healthy skin cells and new collagen.
Because the laser only treats a fraction of the skin at a time, the untreated tissue surrounding each micro-column acts as a healing bridge. This is what makes fractional CO2 so effective: it delivers deep correction while supporting faster, more controlled recovery than traditional ablative lasers.
The result is visibly smoother, clearer, firmer skin with improved texture, tone, and overall quality that continues to develop for months as collagen remodels.
What Does CO2 Laser Improve?
Wrinkles and Fine Lines
CO2 laser softens fine lines and more established wrinkles, including areas around the mouth and eyes that are notoriously difficult to treat with lighter options. By stimulating collagen beneath the surface, it supports smoother, more refined skin over time.
Scarring
CO2 laser is widely used for improving the appearance of acne scars (rolling, boxcar, and ice-pick), surgical scars, trauma scars, chickenpox scarring, and stretch marks. It works deeper within the skin to remodel scar tissue while encouraging the formation of healthier collagen.
Skin Firmness and Tightening
By stimulating collagen and elastin production, CO2 laser can improve overall skin firmness. This can create a subtle tightening effect across areas such as the cheeks, jawline, and under-eye area.
Texture and Pores
CO2 laser is particularly effective for improving uneven texture. It refines the surface of the skin, smooths roughness, and reduces the appearance of enlarged pores.
Pigmentation and Tone
The resurfacing process helps reduce the appearance of sun damage, age spots, and uneven pigmentation. This contributes to a clearer, more even overall skin tone.
Long-term Skin Quality
CO2 laser works beyond the surface. As collagen continues to develop, the skin becomes progressively stronger, smoother, and more refined in the weeks and months following treatment. This isn't a quick fix. It's a genuine reset for your skin.
LIGHT · MEDIUM · DEEP CO₂ LASER RESURFACING
The Three Depths of CO2 Laser Resurfacing
At St James Aesthetics, CO2 laser is tailored to your skin, your goals, and the level of downtime you're comfortable with. We offer three depths of treatment: Light, Medium, and Deep. Each uses fractional CO2 technology and can be adapted for full face resurfacing or more targeted areas.
Your clinician will assess your skin during your consultation and recommend the depth that will deliver the best result for your specific concerns.
Light CO2: Refresh and Refine
Best suited for:
Early signs of ageing, mild pigmentation and sun damage, uneven tone or dullness, and those wanting a lower-downtime introduction to laser resurfacing.
Light CO2 treats the upper layers of the skin, creating controlled micro-columns (MENDS) that stimulate renewal while maintaining a shorter recovery period. The focus is on improving brightness, refining texture, and creating a smoother overall finish.
Treatment time:
30 to 45 minutes
Sensation:
Mild warmth or tingling. Optional topical anaesthetic available.
Recovery:
Days 1 to 2, redness and dryness. Days 2 to 4, visible MENDS and light flaking. Days 3 to 5, clearer, brighter skin emerges.
Results: A glowing, fresher, more refined appearance with improved clarity and texture.
Investment:
Face: $499 (normally $1,550)
Packages: 4 for $499 each | 6 for $399 each
Medium CO₂ — Restore and correct
Best suited for: More established fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage and pigmentation, acne scarring and uneven texture, enlarged pores and reduced skin quality.
Medium-depth resurfacing penetrates further into the skin, allowing for more noticeable correction while maintaining a balanced recovery period. This level begins to address deeper structural concerns, not just surface texture.
Treatment time:
45 to 60 minutes
Sensation:
Warmth, tingling, and a more active sensation. Topical anaesthetic recommended (additional charge).
Recovery:
Days 1 to 2, moderate redness and swelling. Days 3 to 5, visible MENDS and skin renewal. Days 5 to 7, smoother, more even skin. Ongoing, continued refinement as collagen develops.
Results:
A more meaningful improvement in texture, tone, and overall skin quality. For many clients, a series of medium-depth treatments offers the most balanced approach: delivering visible change while keeping downtime manageable.
Investment:
Face: $799 (normally $1,950)
Packages: 4 for $699 each | 6 for $599 each
Deep CO2: Intensive Resurfacing
Best suited for:
Deeper wrinkles, more established acne scarring, significant sun damage, more pronounced texture irregularities.
Deep CO2 treatments reach further into the dermis, allowing for a higher level of correction where more significant skin change is required. This approach focuses on rebuilding skin structure as well as resurfacing.
Treatment time:
60 to 90 minutes
Sensation:
More intense warmth and pressure. Stronger anaesthetic approach.
Recovery:
Days 1 to 3, significant redness and swelling. Days 3 to 7, visible MENDS and active skin renewal. Days 7 to 14, smoother skin becomes more apparent. Weeks following, continued collagen development.
Results:
A substantial improvement in skin texture, tone, and overall quality, particularly where deeper correction is required.
Investment:
Face: $1,595 (normally $2,595)
Packages: 4 for $1,395 each | 6 for $999 each
Choosing the Right Depth
Each level has its place. Some clients are best suited to a lighter treatment with minimal downtime. Others will benefit from a more corrective approach over a series of treatments.
The right depth depends on your skin concerns, your tolerance for downtime, and what result you're working toward. Many of our clients start with a Light or Medium session to see how their skin responds, then progress from there.
We'll guide you on what will deliver the most appropriate result for your skin, whether that's a single treatment or a more structured plan. This is always discussed during your consultation.
The 5 to 10 Year Younger Program: CO2 Laser + HIFU
For clients who want a complete age-reversal result, CO2 laser is one half of our signature 5 to 10 Year Younger Program.
CO2 laser resurfaces the top layers of your skin, smoothing wrinkles, correcting pigmentation, improving texture, and stimulating surface-level collagen renewal.
HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) works beneath the surface, rebuilding the deep structural collagen that lifts, tightens, and supports your skin from the inside. Delivered progressively over 6 sessions to protect against fat volume loss.
When combined, you're treating the skin from the outside in AND the inside out. The surface renewal from CO2 plus the deep structural lift from HIFU creates a result that our clients consistently describe as looking 5 to 10 years younger. Naturally, and without surgery.
Your clinician will design a treatment schedule that alternates CO2 and HIFU sessions based on your skin assessment, your goals, and your downtime preferences.
Areas We Treat with CO2 Laser
Face:
Full face resurfacing or targeted areas such as around the eyes, mouth, or forehead.
Eye area:
Crepiness, fine lines, and crow's feet, including delicate treatment around the eyelids.
Neck and decolletage:
Lines, sun damage, and early skin laxity.
Hands:
Pigmentation, thinning skin, and uneven texture.
Abdomen:
Stretch marks and changes in skin quality following pregnancy or weight fluctuation.
Thighs and buttocks:
Texture concerns, crepiness, and scarring.
Back:
Acne scarring and pigmentation.
CO2 laser can be adapted to treat most areas where resurfacing and skin correction are required.
Your clinician will assess the area during your consultation.
What Happens During a CO2 Laser Treatment?
Before your session:
Your clinician will cleanse the treatment area and assess your skin to confirm the appropriate depth. Depending on the treatment level, a topical anaesthetic will be applied to keep you comfortable. This is typically applied 30 to 45 minutes before the session begins.
During the treatment:
You'll feel warmth as the laser passes over your skin. Light CO2 feels like a mild tingling. Medium and Deep sessions feel more active, with warmth and pressure that the anaesthetic helps manage. Treatment takes between 30 and 90 minutes depending on the depth and area being treated.
Immediately after:
Your skin will be red and warm, similar to sunburn. Your clinician will apply post-treatment products and give you a detailed aftercare plan. Unlike HIFU, CO2 laser does involve downtime, and the level of downtime depends on the depth of your treatment.
CO2 Laser Recovery: What to Expect
Recovery from CO2 laser varies depending on the depth of your treatment. Here's a general guide, though your clinician will give you a detailed timeline specific to your session.
What are MENDS?
In the days following your treatment, you'll notice small flakes or micro-crusting on your skin. These are
MENDS: Microscopic Epidermal Necrotic Debris. They are a completely normal (and expected) part of the healing process. It means the damaged skin cells are being pushed out and replaced with fresh, healthy tissue underneath.
Don't pick them. Let them shed naturally. This is your skin doing exactly what it's supposed to do.
Recovery by Treatment Depth
Light CO2:
3 to 5 days of visible recovery. Redness and dryness for the first 2 days, light MENDS and flaking for days 2 to 4, then clearer, brighter skin from day 3 to 5. Most clients are comfortable returning to social activities within a week.
Medium CO2:
5 to 7 days of visible recovery. Moderate redness and swelling for the first 2 days, visible MENDS and active renewal for days 3 to 5, then smoother skin emerging from day 5 to 7. Continued refinement over the following weeks.
Deep CO2:
7 to 14 days of visible recovery. Significant redness and swelling for days 1 to 3, active MENDS and skin renewal for days 3 to 7, smoother skin becoming apparent from days 7 to 14. Collagen continues developing for months.
Aftercare
Proper aftercare is critical to your result. We recommend specific post-treatment products to support healing, protect the skin, and optimise your outcome. These will be discussed with you during your consultation and provided after your session.
You'll also need to avoid direct sun exposure and wear SPF 50+ daily during your recovery period and beyond. Your new skin is more sensitive to UV damage, and protecting it is essential to maintaining your results.
Is CO2 Laser Right for You?
CO2 laser is typically chosen by clients who are ready to make a more meaningful change in their skin. It's not a casual maintenance treatment. It's a corrective procedure designed for people who want real, visible improvement.
You're a good candidate for CO2 laser if you:
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Have fine lines, wrinkles, or deep creases you want to reduce
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Deal with acne scarring, surgical scars, or stretch marks
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Have sun damage, age spots, or uneven pigmentation
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Notice rough texture, enlarged pores, or dull skin that lighter treatments haven't fixed
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Want to improve overall skin quality at a deeper level
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Are prepared for some downtime to achieve a significantly better result
CO2 laser may not be suitable if you:
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Have active acne breakouts or skin infections in the treatment area
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Are pregnant or breastfeeding
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Have a history of keloid scarring (discuss this with your clinician)
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Are on certain medications such as isotretinoin (Roaccutane)
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Have very dark skin tones (higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation)
Not sure? Book a consultation and your clinician will assess your skin and let you know whether CO2 laser is appropriate, and at what depth.
Why Choose St James Aesthetics for CO2 Laser?
Precision and experience:
CO2 laser is a treatment where the skill of the clinician matters enormously. The depth, pattern, and energy settings need to be tailored to each client's skin type, concern, and healing capacity. Our clinicians have extensive experience delivering CO2 at all three depths and adjust every treatment to the individual.
Three depths, not one:
Many clinics offer a single CO2 setting. We offer Light, Medium, and Deep, which means we can match the treatment to what your skin actually needs rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach.
Part of a bigger picture:
CO2 laser can be combined with HIFU in our 5 to 10 Year Younger Program for clients who want both surface renewal and deep structural lift. No other clinic in Melbourne offers this integrated approach the way we do.
Aftercare support:
We don't just treat and send you home. You'll receive a detailed aftercare plan, recommended post-treatment products, and follow-up support to make sure your skin heals properly and your results are maximised.
Three convenient locations:
Camberwell, Moonee Ponds, and Geelong. CO2 laser is available at all three clinics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book Your CO2 Laser Consultation
CO2 laser is a more intensive, corrective treatment, typically chosen by those wanting to make a meaningful change in their skin. The first step is a consultation. We'll assess your skin in detail, talk through what's possible, and guide you on whether CO2 laser is right for you, and at what depth.
Camberwell | 524 Riversdale Rd, Camberwell VIC 3124
Moonee Ponds | 171 Pascoe Vale Rd, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039
Geelong | 75 Malop St, Geelong VIC 3220