CO₂ Laser Resurfacing in West Palm Beach, FL

CO₂ Laser Resurfacing in West Palm Beach, FL is performed by Dr. Albert Carlotti at BellaNova Cosmetic Surgery's state-registered Level III surgical center at 1261 S Congress Ave in West Palm Beach.

Surgery moves tissue. It does not change the quality of the skin covering it. A patient who has had an excellent facelift can still have sun-damaged, finely lined skin around the mouth and eyes, because those are surface problems and a lift is a structural operation.

This is South Florida. Cumulative ultraviolet exposure here is substantially higher than in most of the country, and it shows first in texture and pigment rather than in shape.

Am I a candidate for co₂ laser resurfacing?

Resurfacing addresses:

• Fine lines, particularly around the mouth and eyes, that do not respond to injectables
• Sun damage, mottled pigment and solar lentigines
• Rough or leathery texture from cumulative exposure
• Acne scarring and other atrophic scars
• Overall dullness and loss of skin quality

Skin type matters. Deeper Fitzpatrick skin types carry a higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and require a modified, more conservative protocol with pre-treatment. Active infection, recent isotretinoin use and a history of keloid scarring all require specific assessment.

Fractional and fully ablative treatment

CO₂ laser removes precise columns of damaged skin and delivers controlled thermal energy to the dermis. The body responds by remodelling collagen over the following months. It remains the most effective non-surgical tool for surface rejuvenation, and also the one with the most demanding recovery.

Fractional treatment leaves untreated skin between the treated columns, which shortens healing considerably. Depth and density are adjusted by region — more aggressive around the mouth, more conservative on the eyelids and neck.

Fully ablative treatment removes a continuous layer and produces the strongest result with the longest downtime. Reserved for significant photodamage in appropriate skin types.

Resurfacing is very often performed at the same time as a facelift, which allows the structure and the surface to be corrected in one recovery period rather than two. Depth is modified over undermined skin for safety, and this combination requires a surgeon comfortable with both.

Educational video

Dr. Carlotti explains CO₂ laser resurfacing

Dr. Carlotti explains where CO₂ laser resurfacing fits: improving fine lines, sun damage, pigment, and texture as the surface part of facial rejuvenation.

Recovery timeline

Every recovery is individual. This is the pattern most patients follow, and you will receive a written plan specific to your procedure.

When	What to expect
Days 1–3	Significant swelling, weeping and an intense sunburn sensation. Occlusive ointment applied continuously. Full downtime.
Days 4–7	Peeling and sloughing. Swelling subsiding. New pink skin emerging.
Days 8–14	Re-epithelialisation complete for most fractional treatments. Skin is pink and can be covered with makeup.
Weeks 3–8	Pinkness fades gradually. Strict sun avoidance and daily broad-spectrum SPF are non-negotiable.
Months 3–6	Collagen remodelling continues. The result improves for six months and beyond.

Risks and considerations

Risks include prolonged redness, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (more common in deeper skin types), hypopigmentation which may be permanent, infection including reactivation of herpes simplex, scarring, and demarcation lines at the edges of the treated area. Antiviral prophylaxis is standard. Sun exposure during healing is the single most common cause of a poor outcome.

Cost and financing

Cost depends on the area treated, the depth and density selected, and whether the treatment is performed alone or combined with surgery. Combining with a facelift shares anesthesia and one recovery period. See cost and financing.

Before and after results

Dr. Carlotti maintains a photographic result archive organized by procedure — real patients, consistent lighting and angles, published with consent. View co₂ laser resurfacing before and after photographs.

CO₂ Laser Resurfacing: questions patients ask