Often, changes in your skin’s quality and appearance don’t happen all at once. Rather, they settle in slowly.
One day, you might look in the mirror and realize that your usual skincare routine isn’t creating the smoothness or brightness you remember. Fine lines look deeper, sun spots stand out, and old acne scars become harder to ignore. Even a careful regimen can fall short when damage sits below the skin’s surface.
At Michigan Center for Cosmetic Services, Dr. Jessica West offers laser resurfacing for patients who want more meaningful correction. Fractional CO2 treatment removes damaged surface cells and encourages fresh collagen production.
And as a double board-certified facial plastic and cosmetic surgeon, Dr. West herself evaluates, plans, and performs every procedure. Continue reading to learn what treatment involves, or schedule a consultation to discuss your skin and plan for laser skin resurfacing in Ann Arbor.
What Causes Common Skin Concerns?
Before jumping into treatment, it’s helpful to understand the root of your changing skin quality. Typically, shifts in your complexion stem from more than one cause, since your complexion reflects your age, environment, health, and daily habits.
Genetics
Genetics can influence oil production, inflammation, pigmentation, and how your skin heals. When inflamed acne damages collagen, it can leave dark marks, raised scars, or indented texture.
Aging
Collagen and elastin production naturally slows with age. These fibrous proteins give our skin its plump appearance and youthful elasticity. As we get older and this structure declines, the tissue thins and weakens, leaving behind a sagging or lined appearance.
Hormonal Fluctuation
Shifts in your skin’s sebum production, collagen density, and cellular turnover might also align with changes in your hormone levels, like during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Unbalanced hormone levels can contribute to acne or leave skin thinner and less resilient, making lines and uneven texture easier to see.
Environmental Factors
Ultraviolet light breaks down collagen and contributes to sun damage, discoloration, and roughness. Air pollution can place added stress on the skin and weaken its protective barrier.
Daily Habits
Smoking, poor sleep, stress, and low activity can similarly affect skin health. A limited routine can also leave the skin without enough moisture or protection.
Addressing Your Complexion Concerns
Patients often seek out laser skin resurfacing in Ann Arbor to address a combination of concerns, including:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Uneven skin tone
- Sun damage
- Acne scars
- Rough texture
Because these concerns can have different causes and depths, treatment begins with a careful evaluation. MCCS follows a personal, physician-led consultation process. Dr. West sits down with you to review your:
- Medical history
- Skin type
- Skin quality
- Current products
- Lifestyle
- Recovery preferences
She also asks what you want to change and how much correction feels right to you. Based on your treatment expectations, Dr. West might outline alternative options that better suit your needs, such as:
- Picofy for pigment and texture
- Lumecca IPL for redness and sun spots
- Morpheus8 for collagen loss and laxity
She’ll explain each recommendation and set realistic expectations for your treatment plan.
Preparing for CO2 Laser Resurfacing
Once she confirms CO2 laser treatment could support your skin goals, Dr. West gives you directions based on your medical history and treatment area. Before your appointment, be sure to tell her about recent sun exposure, medications, skin reactions, and any history of cold sores.
Leading up to laser skin resurfacing in Ann Arbor, kindly follow these pre-care steps:
- Stop using self-tanner 2 to 3 weeks before treatment.
- Use SPF 30+ sunscreen and/or protective clothing to prevent direct sun exposure for 2 to 3 weeks before treatment.
- Stop using products containing retinol, AHAs, and BHAs 1 week before treatment.
- Keep your routine gentle as your appointment approaches.
- Arrive at your appointment with a clean face, free of makeup or skincare products.
Good preparation keeps your skin calm and reduces avoidable irritation, supporting a smoother recovery.
Undergoing CO2 Laser Skin Treatment
On treatment day, the MCCS team cleans your skin and applies topical numbing cream, allowing 45 minutes for it to take effect. Once you’re comfortable, Dr. West performs the procedure using InMode Solaria CO2 technology. Throughout treatment, she adjusts the settings to your skin quality, level of damage, and goals.
The laser portion usually takes around 30 minutes, although the exact time depends on the area and treatment plan. As she guides the device over your skin, the light creates tiny channels in the treatment area while leaving the surrounding skin intact.
The laser removes old, damaged, and built-up skin cells and stimulates a collagen response within the dermis. You’ll likely feel warmth during treatment, but the numbing process keeps the experience manageable. As she wraps up your appointment, Dr. West will explain the recommended after-care steps.
Caring for Your Healing Skin
What can you do to care for your skin after laser skin resurfacing in Ann Arbor? Dr. West guides you through personalized after-care steps based on the treatment area, the depth of care, your anatomy, and your lifestyle.
During the first few days, you can expect to experience warmth, redness, swelling, tightness, and peeling. To protect your healing skin, avoid picking at or touching the skin as it flakes. Visible recovery usually lasts 5 to 7 days, though deeper treatments can involve a longer healing period.
Most peeling should settle within 10 days of your appointment, revealing a noticeably smoother texture and brighter glow once peeling ends. Collagen renewal continues for several months.
A Treatment Plan That Honors Your Skin
The real strength of laser skin resurfacing at MCCS comes from pairing proven technology with Dr. West’s medical judgment. She doesn’t chase fads or recommend more treatment than you need. She studies your skin, explains your choices, and creates a plan that respects your features.
One patient confirms as much, sharing how her custom care experience has renewed her glow:
“Dr. West and her wonderful team take such great care of their patients. I recently had CO2 laser resurfacing done and can’t recommend this procedure enough! I’m already seeing such a huge difference in my skin.” – Vanessa B.
Give Your Skin More Than a Temporary Fix
You don’t need to stop the clock or wish away the years. Discover how you can refine your reflection with personalized laser skin resurfacing in Ann Arbor.
