Fine lines that makeup no longer softens. Texture that feels rough even after a careful skincare routine. Sun damage that shows up as uneven tone. Acne scars that have been there for years. When surface products and lighter treatments are not enough, many people start looking into laser resurfacing—and specifically into fractional CO2.
At Beyond Restore Wellness & Aesthetics, we offer CO2 laser in Newport Beach using the DEKA DOT, a fractional CO2 laser. Your plan—including how intense the treatment is and how much downtime to plan for—is set at a free consultation. This guide explains what the DEKA DOT is, what resurfacing can help with, who may or may not be a fit (including honest pigment-risk language for medium and deeper skin tones), what treatment day and downtime look like, how CO2 compares with other options we offer, and how financing works when you are ready. Our goal is simple: by the time you sit down with us, you should already know the right questions to ask.
Individual results vary, and no result can be promised. CO2 laser resurfacing is a medical treatment. A consultation with a qualified medical professional is the right next step before you decide.
What Is CO2 Laser Resurfacing With the DEKA DOT?
CO2 laser resurfacing uses carbon dioxide (CO2) laser energy to remove very thin layers of skin and heat the layers below. A fractional CO2 laser like the DEKA DOT does this in a grid of tiny treatment points instead of across the whole surface. The skin between those points stays intact and helps the treated area heal.
As your skin heals, it replaces the treated skin with fresh skin and is designed to build new collagen, which can help skin look smoother and more even over time. Every treatment is adjusted to your skin, your goals, and the downtime you can plan for.
What CO2 Laser Resurfacing Can Help With
On our CO2 laser page, we list these common reasons people ask about resurfacing:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Rough or uneven texture
- Sun damage and uneven tone
- Acne scars and some other types of scars
- Enlarged-looking pores
We treat the face, neck, chest, the skin around the eyes, and the hands. How deep the treatment goes is planned at your consultation.
CO2 Laser Resurfacing at a Glance
What it is:
- Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing with the DEKA DOT
- Tiny, evenly spaced treatment points, with untreated skin left between them to help the treated area heal
- Adjusted to your skin, goals, and the downtime you can plan for
- Performed by a physician after a free consultation
What it isn’t:
- A no-downtime facial or glow treatment (plan for about 4 to 7 days of recovery for most people)
- Something with a fixed timeline for results
- Always the first choice for every skin tone or every concern—sometimes microneedling, Morpheus8, a peel, HydraFacial, or IPL fits better
Is CO2 Laser Resurfacing Right for You?
DOT CO2 laser resurfacing may be a good fit if you:
- Want to soften fine lines, rough texture, sun damage, or acne scars
- Are in good general health and heal well
- Can plan for some downtime while your skin heals
- Can protect your skin from the sun before and after treatment
Skin Tone and Pigment Risk
We treat medium and deeper skin tones. That said, CO2 lasers carry a higher risk of pigment changes on darker skin tones, including darker patches and, less often, lighter patches that can last a long time. Your consultation and our physician decide the settings and preparation for your skin. If another option—such as microneedling or Morpheus8 radiofrequency microneedling—may suit your skin better, we will tell you.
Who Should Wait or Isn’t a Candidate
CO2 laser resurfacing may not be right for you, or may need to wait, if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have taken isotretinoin (a prescription acne medication) recently
- Have an active skin infection, cold sore, open wound, or rash in the area
- Have a history of keloids or abnormal scarring
- Have a recent tan or sunburn, or use self-tanner in the area
- Have a condition or take a medication that slows how your skin heals or weakens the immune system, or have had radiation to the area
- Have vitiligo or another condition that affects skin pigment
Tell us if you get cold sores, since laser treatment can trigger a flare; our physician can prescribe a preventive medication when appropriate. We review your health history, medications, and skin care at your consultation.
What Happens on Treatment Day
Before
It starts with a free consultation. Our physician looks at your skin, asks about your health history, medications, skin care, and any history of cold sores, and talks through your goals. Together we decide whether the DOT CO2 laser fits, which areas to treat, how intense the treatment should be, and how much downtime to plan for. You may be asked to avoid sun exposure and certain skin care products before your treatment.
Questions Worth Asking at Your Consultation
It helps to jot down a few questions before you come in. People often ask us:
- Which of my concerns might CO2 laser suit, and which might another option suit better?
- How intense would my treatment be, and how many days of downtime should I plan for?
- Given my skin tone, what is my pigment-change risk, and how will you prepare and set the laser?
- Which comfort options will you use—topical numbing, Pro-Nox, lidocaine injections, or a combination?
- Would PRP or a topical exosome serum add anything useful to my plan?
- How should I change my skin care and sun habits before and after treatment?
- If CO2 isn’t the right fit, would Morpheus8, microneedling, a chemical peel, HydraFacial, or IPL make more sense?
There are no wrong questions here. If something is on your mind, ask it.
During
Your treatment is performed by a physician. Comfort options include a topical numbing cream, Pro-Nox (nitrous oxide), and lidocaine injections, and you choose together at your consultation. Your skin is cleansed, your comfort option is applied, and your eyes are protected, then the laser is passed over the treatment area. Many people describe heat or a prickling feeling during treatment.
Optional Add-Ons: PRP or a Topical Exosome Serum
You can ask about adding PRP (platelet-rich plasma) or a topical exosome serum to your treatment. Our physician will tell you whether either add-on fits your plan.
After
It depends on the treatment depth, but downtime is usually about 4 to 7 days. Right after treatment, your skin will usually look red and swollen and may feel like a sunburn. It may then look darker or rough and flake or peel as fresh skin comes through. Pinkness can last longer than the peeling.
Downtime, Recovery, and Aftercare
What Recovery Often Looks Like
Side effects are expected while your skin heals. The most common are redness, swelling, a burning or sunburn-like feeling, itching, oozing or crusting, and flaking or peeling. Redness or pinkness can last for a while after the skin has healed.
Aftercare Basics
Follow the aftercare plan we give you:
- Keep the skin clean and moisturized as directed
- Don’t pick or peel flaking skin
- Avoid the sun, and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen once your skin has healed enough
- Ask us before you go back to makeup, active skin care, or exercise
Planning tip: Because peeling and pinkness are part of recovery, many people schedule treatment when they can keep social plans and photos low-key for about a week. If you have a wedding, trip, or big work event coming up, tell us at your consultation so we can time your appointment around it.
When to Call Us
Call us right away if you notice increasing pain, spreading redness, pus, fever, blisters, or sores while your skin heals. Reach us at 949-503-9621.
Possible Side Effects and Risks
CO2 laser resurfacing is a medical treatment. Less common risks include:
- Changes in skin color, such as darker patches or, less often, lighter patches, which are more likely on darker skin tones
- Acne breakouts or tiny white bumps (milia)
- A cold sore flare in people who get them
- Bacterial, viral, or fungal skin infection
- Scarring, which is rare
We want you to hear these risks in plain language before you book—not after.
Results Timeline and How Many Treatments
Every skin is different, and individual results vary. Many people see a fresher, smoother look once the peeling settles. Because new collagen builds gradually, skin can keep changing for months after treatment.
Usually 1 treatment is recommended, and then our physician evaluates from there. Daily sun protection and good skin care help you keep your results, and your skin will continue to age naturally.
How CO2 Laser Compares to Morpheus8, Microneedling, Chemical Peels, HydraFacial, and IPL
CO2 laser resurfacing is one of several skin treatments we offer. Here is how they compare, based on our live service pages:
| Treatment | How it works | Often considered for |
|---|---|---|
| DOT CO2 laser | Fractional CO2 laser energy resurfaces tiny points of skin | Fine lines, texture, sun damage, and acne scars, when you can plan for downtime |
| Morpheus8 | Radiofrequency microneedling that heats deeper layers below the surface | Firmness, deeper texture, and scars |
| Microneedling | Fine needles create tiny channels that prompt a response from the skin | Texture, acne scars, and pores, usually with a shorter recovery |
| Chemical peels | A medical-grade solution exfoliates the outer layers of skin | Uneven tone, dark spots, and dullness |
| HydraFacial | Cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, and hydration | Glow and regular skin maintenance |
| IPL skin rejuvenation | Pulses of light target pigment and redness | Sun spots, redness, and uneven tone |
A few practical notes from those pages:
- Morpheus8 is often chosen when mild laxity or deeper scarring is the priority, with a series of sessions and usually shorter recovery than aggressive resurfacing. Our Morpheus8 guide goes deeper.
- Microneedling (guide) is a lighter option for texture and glow and may be discussed when laser heat is not the right fit for your skin.
- Chemical peels (including ZO and VI Peel on our peels page) are surface exfoliation tools; see our chemical peels guide.
- HydraFacial is maintenance-focused with little downtime; see our HydraFacial guide.
- IPL targets color (brown spots and redness) rather than resurfacing texture the way CO2 does, and our IPL page notes IPL isn’t recommended for darker skin tones.
Some plans combine treatments, such as IPL with CO2 laser, or laser resurfacing alongside surgery such as blepharoplasty or a deep plane facelift. Timing is decided case by case.
Cost and Financing
The cost of CO2 laser resurfacing depends on the areas treated, how deep your treatment is, and whether you add PRP or a topical exosome serum. Because every plan is different, we don’t list one price. We’ll go over your options and the cost at your free consultation, before you decide anything.
Financing through PatientFi, CareCredit, and Cherry is available for all services, including CO2 laser resurfacing.
Why People Choose Beyond Restore for CO2 Laser Resurfacing
- Physician-performed treatment. Every DOT CO2 laser treatment at Beyond Restore is performed by a physician, who also handles your consultation and decides your settings and preparation.
- Honest about pigment risk. We treat medium and deeper skin tones and talk plainly about the higher risk of pigment changes on darker skin.
- Comfort options. Topical numbing cream, Pro-Nox (nitrous oxide), and lidocaine injections are available.
- A full skin menu under one roof. If CO2 isn’t the right fit, we can discuss Morpheus8, microneedling, peels, HydraFacial, IPL, or surgical options when they make sense.
- Convenient for Orange County. We welcome people from Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, and across Orange County.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DEKA DOT CO2 laser?
The DEKA DOT is a fractional CO2 laser. It treats tiny, evenly spaced points of skin and leaves the skin around each point untouched, which helps the treated area heal. It is used to resurface the skin and to help with fine lines, texture, sun damage, and acne scars.
What can CO2 laser resurfacing treat?
It is often used for fine lines and wrinkles, rough or uneven texture, sun damage, uneven tone, acne scars and some other types of scars, and enlarged-looking pores. We treat the face, neck, chest, the skin around the eyes, and the hands.
Who performs CO2 laser resurfacing at Beyond Restore?
Every DOT CO2 laser treatment at Beyond Restore is performed by a physician. Our physician also handles your consultation and decides your settings and preparation.
How much downtime should I expect?
It depends on the treatment depth, but downtime is usually about 4 to 7 days. Right after treatment, skin is usually red and swollen and may feel like a sunburn. It then flakes or peels as fresh skin comes through, and pinkness can last longer.
Does CO2 laser resurfacing hurt?
Many people describe heat or a prickling feeling during treatment, and the skin can feel like a sunburn afterward. Comfort options include a topical numbing cream, Pro-Nox (nitrous oxide), and lidocaine injections, and you’ll choose together at your consultation.
How many treatments will I need?
Usually 1 treatment is recommended, and then our physician evaluates from there.
Can CO2 laser resurfacing be used on darker skin tones?
Yes. We treat medium and deeper skin tones. CO2 lasers carry a higher risk of pigment changes on darker skin tones, including darker or lighter patches. Your consultation and our physician decide the settings and preparation for your skin.
Who should not have CO2 laser resurfacing?
It may not be right for you, or may need to wait, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have taken isotretinoin recently, have an active infection, cold sore, or open wound in the area, have a history of keloids or abnormal scarring, have a recent tan or sunburn, or have a condition or medication that slows how your skin heals. We also review pigment conditions such as vitiligo and cold-sore history at consultation.
What are the possible side effects?
Redness, swelling, a sunburn-like feeling, itching, oozing or crusting, and flaking or peeling are common while your skin heals. Less common risks include darker or lighter patches of skin, acne breakouts or milia, a cold sore flare, infection, and, rarely, scarring. If you get cold sores, our physician can prescribe a preventive medication when appropriate.
How much does CO2 laser resurfacing cost in Newport Beach?
Cost depends on the areas treated, how deep your treatment is, and whether you add PRP or a topical exosome serum. We’ll go over your options and the cost at your free consultation. Financing through PatientFi, CareCredit, and Cherry is available for all services, including CO2 laser resurfacing.
Book Your Free CO2 Laser Consultation in Newport Beach
Starting is simple: a free, no-pressure conversation about your skin, your goals, and whether the DEKA DOT—or another option—fits. We’ll talk through intensity, downtime, pigment risk, and aftercare so you can decide with clear eyes.
Beyond Restore Wellness & Aesthetics
1501 Westcliff Dr #303, Newport Beach, CA 92660
- Call: 949-503-9621
- Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–5:00 PM · Fri 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Individual results vary, and no result can be promised. CO2 laser resurfacing carries real risks, including pigment change (especially on darker skin tones), infection, and rare scarring. A consultation with a qualified medical professional is required to determine whether DEKA DOT CO2 laser resurfacing is right for you.