CO2 Laser in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Oxnard

Dr. Morrissette offers CO2 laser in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Oxnard, and Camarillo, which removes layers of skin tissue in columns, leaving intact skin surrounding each column to aid healing. This treatment can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, uneven coloration, scarring, dull skin tone, lax skin, and textural irregularities, and improve the collagen layer in the face, neck, and chest. Fractional C02 Laser Resurfacing gives effective, safe results for individuals who don't want the expense, down time and pain of surgery.

What is Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing?

Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing is a proven method of reducing acne scars, lines and wrinkles, sagging skin, hyperpigmentation, and the signs of aging. The device uses short, economic pulses of light energy to remove the outermost layer of damaged skin, revealing a more pristine, youthful-looking complexion underneath. Once dead skin cells are removed, the light energy penetrates the pores to trigger a healing response, initiating the regrowth of collagen and elastin, proteins responsible for supple, resilient, and glowing skin. Downtime is typically around one week, and patients may require multiple sessions to achieve their aesthetic goals.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing?

In your initial consultation, Dr. Morrissette can determine if you are a good candidate for this treatment, after evaluating your medical history, areas of concern, and treatment goals. Some downtime is required for this procedure - it can take one to two weeks to heal. In most cases, we try to achieve a recovery whereby you can return to normal activities in one week, including applying makeup. Patients should understand the risks and the time involved and have realistic expectations for this procedure. Our Ventura Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing may be an excellent option for people with:

Sun damage
Wrinkles
Irregular skin texture
Sagging
Scarring
Age spots
Uneven skin tone

How Many Treatments Are Required with FractionalCO2 Laser Resurfacing?

This non-surgical treatment is recommended for advanced wrinkling and skin damage and for achieving significant results with a single treatment. Effects of Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing can be comparable to having multiple other non-surgical treatments performed at one time. In some cases, more than one treatment may be needed for a specific area of the face.

For example, deep lines around the mouth may require additional treatments. Though the effects of Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing are permanent, maintenance treatment may be needed because the aging process continues, and damage from the sun over time can contribute to increased wrinkling. Following treatment, it is important to use proper skin care.

Before & After

What Can I Expect with CO2 Laser Resurfacing?

This procedure is performed in our state-of-the-art facility by Dr. Morrissette, Intravenous sedation is given to ensure that you are comfortable throughout the entire procedure. It generally takes about an hour, but could take more or less time, depending on the size of the area treated.

Most patients experience a feeling comparable to having a bad sunburn for one-half to two days after the procedure. Essentially, the top layer of skin is removed with this treatment. It will heal in approximately seven days or more, depending on the area treated and how aggressive the treatment.

The skin will peel and be replaced by new, smoother skin. During the healing process, you can expect redness, crusting, dryness, peeling, and flaking, and possibly oozing and minor bleeding with a deep treatment. Work and social activities will need to be curtailed during the initial healing period.

Benefits of Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing

When the skin has healed, Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing can produce a significant reduction in sun damage, freckling, fine lines, and wrinkles, and a noticeable improvement in skin tone, texture, and elasticity.

If sun exposure is avoided and proper skin care is maintained, the skin will continue to improve for approximately six months after the procedure. In some cases, it may take even longer to reach maximum results.

CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing with
Dr. Michael Morrissette

Complementary Treatments

Many patients enhance their laser resurfacing results by combining with other non-surgical therapies:

Neuromodulators such as BOTOX® to smooth dynamic wrinkles (e.g., forehead lines, crow’s-feet) that the laser doesn’t directly target.
Dermal fillers (e.g., Juvéderm®) to restore volume and soften deeper folds, complementing the texture-and-tone improvement from the laser.
Microneedling, chemical peels or skin-care-based resurfacing to boost collagen and refine skin quality — great add-ons for texture and pigment refinement.
Professional medical-grade skin care, including facials, acne treatments, and targeted peels, to maintain and enhance your results before and after laser resurfacing.

Ventura County Cosmetic Surgery Practice

Our team strives to provide the best care possible in our safe, modern facility. We deliver a wide range of cosmetic surgical procedures from facelifts, facial fat grafting, and implants to lower eyelid surgery, along with a variety of non-invasive cosmetic procedures in our medical spa.

When you come to our office for cosmetic surgical or non-surgical treatment, after evaluation of your medical history and treatment objectives, we can determine if Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing in Santa Barbara is right for you. Dr. Morrissette only performs procedures he knows will benefit the patient, and our entire medical team is highly professional, focused on providing treatments in the safest possible manner.

CO2 FAQs

When is CO2 laser resurfacing appropriate on its own?

CO2 resurfacing of the face is appropriate for any patient who has wrinkles, lines, sun damage, periorbital wrinkles, periocular wrinkles, acne, and surgical scarring. The CO2 laser is the one device that provides both texture and color improvement. In some cases, the procedure is performed by itself, but it can be combined with a number of surgical procedures, like, CO2 laser resurfacing can be paired with other procedures. For example, eyelid surgery and brow lifting procedures.

When does a surgical procedure provide a better result?

The goals of surgery are different than the goals of facial skin resurfacing. Surgical procedures tend to "lift" tissues. CO2 laser resurfacing works on the skin texture and color. Surgical procedures cannot change lines and wrinkles around the mouth. The CO2 laser can improve the lip lines and wrinkles.

Can CO2 laser be paired with certain surgical procedures?

Yes, CO2 laser resurfacing can be paired with other procedures. For example, eyelid surgery and brow lifting procedures can be performed simultaneously. I do not recommend performing a facelift surgery at the same time as CO2 resurfacing.

How does CO2 laser treatment complement non-surgical injectables and skin rejuvenation procedures?

While CO2 laser resurfacing addresses deep wrinkles, sun damage, and skin texture, it works synergistically with injectable treatments. Patients often combine resurfacing with Botox to relax dynamic expression lines or add volume using dermal fillers and Juvederm. For lighter texture enhancement between laser sessions, options like microneedling, targeted Kybella for submental fullness, or PRP hair restoration can be incorporated into a holistic aesthetic plan.

How does CO2 laser resurfacing improve surgical and acne scars?

Ablative CO2 laser energy vaporizes damaged micro-layers of skin to stimulate fresh collagen remodeling. This process is particularly effective for smoothing raised or pitted scar tissue. For specialized care, Dr. Morrissette integrates laser treatments into comprehensive scar treatment protocols, including refining post-surgical incision lines from a chin revision or addressing localized lesions after mole removal.

Can CO2 laser resurfacing be paired with facial fat grafting or implants for total volume restoration?

Yes. While CO2 laser resurfacing rebuilds dermal collagen and smooths fine lines, structural volume loss is often best restored deeper in the tissue. Dr. Morrissette frequently pairs laser skin resurfacing with facial fat grafting or structural facial implants. This combination restores youthful cheek and midface contours while ensuring the overlying skin appears smooth, tight, and evenly toned.

What is the primary difference between CO2 laser resurfacing and microneedling?

CO2 laser resurfacing is an ablative thermal treatment that removes damaged outer skin layers while heating the underlying dermis to induce dramatic collagen production and skin tightening. In contrast, microneedling uses mechanical micro-needles to stimulate lighter collagen renewal with minimal downtime. While microneedling is ideal for minor surface maintenance, CO2 laser resurfacing provides deep, transformative repair for severe photoaging, deep wrinkles, and laxity.