CO2 Laser Resurfacing
The gold standard in skin resurfacing, powered by the DEKA Tetra Pro. CoolPeel or DEKA — your treatment calibrated to your skin, not the other way around.
- LocationsAll Locations
- Treatment Time60–90 minutes
- Downtime3–10 days
What is CO2 Laser Resurfacing?
CO2 Laser Resurfacing is one of the most effective skin-renewal treatments in aesthetic medicine. Using a fractional carbon-dioxide laser, it creates thousands of microscopic channels in the skin that clear away damaged tissue and trigger a surge of fresh collagen as the skin heals.
The result is smoother texture, softened fine lines and wrinkles, more even tone, refined pores, and a visible improvement in scarring and sun damage. At Javan, we perform CO2 resurfacing with the DEKA Tetra Pro — one of the most advanced CO2 platforms available — at our locations across Washington, DC and Northern Virginia.
CoolPeel or DEKA: your treatment, calibrated to you.
The Tetra Pro lets us dial the treatment precisely to your skin and your goals. That’s the real advantage: the same trusted technology, tuned anywhere from a gentle refresh to a deep resurfacing.
CoolPeel
Light · Low downtimeA quick, superficial CO2 treatment that resurfaces the top layer of skin while keeping the surrounding tissue cool — so you get the signature glow of a CO2 peel with roughly three to seven days of downtime. Ideal for fine lines, dullness, uneven tone and texture, enlarged pores, and early sun damage.
DEKA Resurfacing
Deep · Most intensiveOur deeper, more powerful modality for more significant concerns. DEKA resurfacing reaches further into the skin to remodel tissue and drive dramatic improvement in wrinkles, acne and surgical scars, and advanced sun damage. Generally five to ten days of recovery, with correspondingly transformative results.
Why even our deeper DEKA treatment is gentler than traditional CO2
Our more intensive DEKA treatment is still significantly less invasive — with far less downtime — than the traditional CO2 Resurfacing of the past. Older CO2 lasers removed the entire surface of the skin in a single pass, which meant raw, open healing and often two or more weeks of recovery. The Tetra Pro works differently, in two ways.
First, it’s fractional. Rather than ablating all of the skin at once, it treats thousands of microscopic columns and deliberately leaves healthy, untreated skin in between. Those intact bridges of tissue act as a reservoir of healing cells, so the skin repairs from every direction and recovers dramatically faster.
Second, DEKA’s Pulse Shape Design (PSD) technology gives us precise control over every pulse. It delivers energy as high-peak-power bursts that vaporize the targeted tissue cleanly and quickly, while limiting the excess heat that would otherwise spread into the surrounding skin. Less collateral heat means less inflammation, less downtime, and a more comfortable recovery — without sacrificing the deep, collagen-building resurfacing power that makes CO2 the gold standard.
Not sure which is right for you? That’s exactly what your consultation is for. Your Javan provider will recommend the modality — and the intensity — that fits your skin, your timeline, and your goals.
Physician-directed, tailored to your skin.
At Javan, CO2 Resurfacing is never a one-size-fits-all pass. Every treatment plan is reviewed by a licensed medical provider, and every setting is matched to your skin type, history, and goals — not a preset protocol.
We monitor your progress, pair your treatment with a personalized skincare regimen, and are with you through every stage of the healing process — treating your skin as part of your overall wellness, not a single appointment.
Sessions, timing, and results.
- Treatment timeThe laser portion is typically 20–30 minutes; full appointment with prep is 60–90 minutes.60–90 min
- CoolPeel downtimeMild redness and light flaking, settling over about 3–7 days.3–7 days
- DEKA downtimeRedness, swelling, and peeling as new skin forms over roughly 5–10 days.5–10 days
- Results timelineCollagen remodeling continues for weeks; results can keep improving for up to six months.Up to 6 months
- SessionsMany patients see significant results from a single DEKA treatment; CoolPeel is often done as a short series with periodic maintenance.1+ sessions
What to expect.
- Consultation & candidacy assessmentYour provider reviews your skin type, history, and goals and confirms the right modality and settings for you.
- Pre-treatment regimenA personalized skincare routine primes your skin and minimizes downtime.
- Treatment dayAfter a cleanse, numbing cream is applied. The laser pass takes about 20–30 minutes; most patients describe a warm, prickling sensation.
- Immediately afterSkin feels tight and looks flushed, similar to a sunburn. Your aftercare kit and instructions go home with you.
- RecoveryCoolPeel: light flaking over ~3–7 days. DEKA: redness, swelling, and peeling over ~5–10 days as new skin forms.
- ResultsCollagen remodeling continues for weeks post-treatment. Results can keep improving for up to six months.
Am I a candidate for CO2 Laser Resurfacing?
CO2 Resurfacing is a strong choice if you’re looking to improve fine lines and wrinkles, acne or surgical scars, sun damage and pigmentation, enlarged pores, or overall skin tone and texture. It’s popular with both women and men who want a meaningful, lasting change rather than a surface-level refresh.
Because CO2 is a powerful treatment, candidacy and laser settings depend on your skin type and history — patients with deeper skin tones, in particular, are treated with carefully adjusted settings to protect against pigment changes. Every treatment at Javan begins with a consultation so your provider can confirm the safest, most effective approach for you.
CO2 Laser FAQs
What’s the difference between CoolPeel and DEKA CO2 Resurfacing?
Both use the same DEKA Tetra Pro CO2 laser. CoolPeel is a lighter, superficial treatment with low downtime (about 3–7 days), ideal for tone, texture, fine lines, and pores. DEKA resurfacing is deeper and more intensive, with about 5–10 days of recovery, used for deeper wrinkles, scarring, and significant sun damage.
How much downtime does CO2 Laser Resurfacing require?
A CoolPeel typically involves about 3–7 days of mild redness and light flaking. A deeper DEKA treatment usually involves 5–10 days of redness, swelling, and peeling. Your provider will give you a precise timeline for your specific treatment.
Is the DEKA treatment as harsh as traditional CO2 Laser Resurfacing?
No. Even the more intensive DEKA modality is significantly less invasive, with far less downtime, than the fully ablative CO2 of the past. The Tetra Pro treats fractionally — leaving healthy tissue between microscopic columns so the skin heals faster — and its Pulse Shape Design (PSD) technology limits excess heat to the surrounding skin for a more comfortable recovery.
What does CO2 Laser Resurfacing treat?
CO2 Resurfacing improves fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars and surgical scars, sun damage and pigmentation, enlarged pores, and overall skin tone and texture. It’s one of the most versatile and effective resurfacing treatments available.
Is CO2 Laser Resurfacing safe for darker skin tones?
CO2 can be performed on a range of skin tones, but deeper skin types carry a higher risk of pigment changes and require carefully adjusted settings and an experienced provider. Candidacy is always confirmed during a consultation at Javan.
How many sessions will I need?
Many patients achieve significant results from a single deeper DEKA treatment. CoolPeel is often done as a short series and repeated for maintenance. Your provider will build a plan around your goals at your consultation.
Where can I get CO2 Laser Resurfacing in DC or Northern Virginia?
Javan Anti-Aging & Wellness offers CO2 Laser Resurfacing with the DEKA Tetra Pro at our locations in Dupont Circle and U Street in Washington, DC, and in Ballston (Arlington), Virginia.
Reveal fresher, smoother skin.
Book a consultation at any Javan location and our team will recommend the right CO2 treatment — CoolPeel or DEKA — for your skin and goals.
