Is CO2 resurfacing the best procedure next to a face and neck lift? Is there a hospital stay involved?

I'm 53 and have had other services. Is CO2 resurfacing the best procedure next to a face and neck lift? Is there a hospital stay involved?

Answers from doctors (4)


More About Doctor David Green, MD

Published on Apr 20, 2021

A face and neck lift reduces sagging and lax skin - it affects skin 'quantity' - by removing excess skin. It does not improve skin 'quality' - that is, it does not improve skin color or texture that has been altered by years of sun exposure. Resurfacing with laser or chemical peeling is used to improve skin 'quality' - significantly improving color and texture to an appearance more resembling sun-protected skin. There are many methods to 'resurface' the skin - ablative versus non-ablative, fractional or complete. The most improvement will be attained with ablative, full resurfacing. Having performed the full range of procedures, I still find chemical peeling (superficial, medium or deep depending upon the extent of alteration from sun exposure) - more than any laser - to be the most reproducible and effective method to improve skin color and texture. However, chemical peeling requires finding a provider who is skilled in this method of treatment - it is much more provider dependent than many other procedures.

Answered by David Green, MD (View Profile)

A face and neck lift reduces sagging and lax skin - it affects skin 'quantity' - by removing excess skin. It does not improve skin 'quality' - that is, it does not improve skin color or texture that has been altered by years of sun exposure. Resurfacing with laser or chemical peeling is used to improve skin 'quality' - significantly improving color and texture to an appearance more resembling sun-protected skin. There are many methods to 'resurface' the skin - ablative versus non-ablative, fractional or complete. The most improvement will be attained with ablative, full resurfacing. Having performed the full range of procedures, I still find chemical peeling (superficial, medium or deep depending upon the extent of alteration from sun exposure) - more than any laser - to be the most reproducible and effective method to improve skin color and texture. However, chemical peeling requires finding a provider who is skilled in this method of treatment - it is much more provider dependent than many other procedures.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Aesthetic Surgery and Dermatology offices of Adrienne E. Stewart

Published on Mar 28, 2016

A hospital stay is not normally part of the CO2 protocol. There are fractionated CO2's that have very little downtime because they only affect a fraction of the area treated. Our full CO2 treatments usually have the patient back to normal within a week. There is redness and tenderness for a few days after treatment.

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Answered by Aesthetic Surgery and Dermatology offices of Adrienne E. Stewart

A hospital stay is not normally part of the CO2 protocol. There are fractionated CO2's that have very little downtime because they only affect a fraction of the area treated. Our full CO2 treatments usually have the patient back to normal within a week. There is redness and tenderness for a few days after treatment.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Celibre Medical Corporation

Published on Mar 24, 2016

CO2 resurfacing and facelifts accomplish different goals. If you are looking for the skin to be lifted, stick with the facelift. If you are looking for improvement in the skin texture, such as pore size, fine lines and acne scars, then stick with the resurfacing procedure. Finally, if you cannot have the facelift for some reason but are looking for volume replacement and some improvement with saggy jowls, then consider dermal fillers such as Sculptra. For the neck, we only recommend a necklift. All else is a waste.

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Answered by Celibre Medical Corporation

CO2 resurfacing and facelifts accomplish different goals. If you are looking for the skin to be lifted, stick with the facelift. If you are looking for improvement in the skin texture, such as pore size, fine lines and acne scars, then stick with the resurfacing procedure. Finally, if you cannot have the facelift for some reason but are looking for volume replacement and some improvement with saggy jowls, then consider dermal fillers such as Sculptra. For the neck, we only recommend a necklift. All else is a waste.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

Published on Mar 24, 2016

The CO2 will not give you a lift, if that's what you are after. It is a deep resurfacing procedure that mainly treats tone and texture. Normally, some sort of medicine is given to patients prior to this, but no hospital stay is generally required. If you are looking for a lift without surgery, look into Ultherapy. It is the only FDA-approved device for lifting and tightening of the face, neck, and chest.

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Answered by Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

The CO2 will not give you a lift, if that's what you are after. It is a deep resurfacing procedure that mainly treats tone and texture. Normally, some sort of medicine is given to patients prior to this, but no hospital stay is generally required. If you are looking for a lift without surgery, look into Ultherapy. It is the only FDA-approved device for lifting and tightening of the face, neck, and chest.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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