When it comes to achieving drastically smoother skin, Botox and CO2 laser resurfacing are two of our most powerful options. Each treatment targets different concerns, yet they work beautifully together. But for the sake of maximizing time, we are often asked if the treatments can be gotten at the same time.
Botox is an injectable neuromodulator that temporarily relaxes the muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles— think frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines. By softening these muscle contractions, Botox allows the skin lying on top of these muscles to lie smooth. Preventing the formation of these wrinkles gives the skin a fresher, smoother appearance, and depending on each person’s anatomy, sometimes treating the muscles in the jawline, neck, or mouth can actually (temporarily) change the shape of your face. Because Botox is not actually causing any change to the skin, although these treatments can work aesthetic wonders, they cannot do anything when it comes to issues like sun damage, Melasma, acne scars, uneven texture, etc. (Some studies show that when used in a special way, Botox injections can minimize the appereance of pores and reduce redness caused by Rosacea, but these issues have a muscle component involved; Botox can shrink the teeny muscles attached to the hair-follicles around which the pore has formed, and it can help block the nerve signals that cause blood-vessels to dilate, which reduces redness and flushing associated with Rosacea. There is so indication that Botox can even help decrease acne by blocking neurotransmitter release that can reduce sebum production. But for the actual skin itself, Botox cannot do anything because skin is not a muscle.
Meanwhile, CO2 lasers use carefully controlled light energy to vaporize microscopic, fractionated columns of skin which forces your body’s natural healing process to create new skin to replace the area of damage. This simultaneoulsy creates new collagen and elastin. CO2 laser resurfacing treatments achieve beautiful results for deep wrinkles, sun damage and brown spots, acne scars, pore size, rough texture and so much more. CO2 laser is a fractional ablative laser that removes layers of damaged skin, stimulating collagen regeneration and revealing new, smoother, healthier skin underneath.
- Quick procedure with no downtime
- Smooths expression lines
- Prevents future wrinkles
- Subtle, natural-looking results when done by professionals
Benefits of CO2 Laser:
- Dramatic skin renewal and tightening
- Improves tone, texture, and pigmentation
- Long-lasting results
- Boosts collagen production
Can You Get Both Treatments on the Same Day?
The short answer: Probably not, but it depends on your desired goals.
In general, Botox and CO2 laser are not done on the same day, for the same area. However, for certain situations, both treatments can be done on the same day—if each treatment is done in a separate area.
For example:
- You can have Botox and CO2 on the same day if you’re getting Botox for your upper-face (around the eyes, brows and forehead,) and a CO2 laser treatment for your lower-face (from the nose down.)
- Conversely, you could do the opposite and get lower-face Botox on the same day your upper-face was treated with CO2.
Ideally you would get each treatment on separate days:
- If you did a CO2 first, you’d likely want to wait 7-14 days before returning for your Botox injections. (Whenever you felt like your skin was done sloughing.)
- Or, you could get your full Botox treatment first, and then come back as soon as the next day for your CO2 laser resurfacing treatment.
At About Face Aesthetics, our providers are fanatical about your safety, time, and achieving your skin goals. A thorough plan will be created and explained to you, with the timing carefully and strategically mapped-out.
Why does the treatment order matter?
It is important to be mindful of how you schedule your treatments (especially when treating the same area) for a multitude of reasons:
- Swelling and Healing Time: After a CO2 laser, your skin will be red, swollen, and sensitive for 2-7 days. Injecting Botox into swollen, post-treatment skin could increase the risk of potential misplacement of the product.
- Effects from the Laser’s Heat: The heat from the CO2 laser could potentially affect how Botox settles in the muscle if administered into the skin immediately after a CO2 treatment which could also impact results.
- Precise Placement: For us to deliver the best Botox results, we need to see your skin at it’s baseline appearance. Immediately after a laser treatment, it can be difficult to see your natural facial movements (and the lines / wrinkles created) due to the swelling or sloughing.
But the End Results Make the Separate Visits Worthwhile!
When scheduled appropriately (usually Botox a week or two after laser, or right before), combining injectable treatments with laser treatments deliver powerful, complementary results that could never be achieved by one of the treatments alone. Together, Botox and CO2 laser resurfacing treatments tackle expression lines (and some contouring), and globally improve the skin’s texture and tone. You may also notice that the results seem to last longer, as the CO2 laser boosts collagen production and smooths the skin’s surface, Botox enhances the results by preventing new wrinkles from forming. All of this results in a huge confidence boost due to the major skin transformation you’ve gifted yourself.
Choosing the Right Provider
Successful and effective treatment combinations depend on experienced evaluation and personalized care. At About Face Aesthetics in Philadelphia, we specialize in combination treatments that are safe, effective, and tailored to your unique needs. Our experienced providers work closely with you to design a treatment schedule that aligns with your goals—whether you’re prepping for a big event or just looking to treat yourself.
So, Should You Book Both?
If you’re considering both Botox and CO2 laser resurfacing, the best thing to do is book a consultation. That way, we can examine your skin, understand your goals, and build a treatment plan that works for you.
Always remember that great results come from strategic treatments, not rushed ones. Whether you’re tackling deep lines or just want a youthful glow, we are here to guide you every step of the way.
