Kansas City CO2 Laser Resurfacing Guide: Why Fractionated CO2 Is the Gold Standard
- klosik
- Dec 4, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: Jan 6
In This Article:
CO₂ vs. Erbium Laser Resurfacing: Key Differences for Kansas City Patients
What Is Solaria CO₂ Laser Skin Resurfacing at Horizon Med Spa?
Who Is a Good Candidate for CO₂ Laser Resurfacing in Kansas City?
CO₂ Laser Recovery, Downtime, and Results at Our Kansas City Med Spa
Schedule A CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing Consultation in Kansas City Today
Introducing, Solaria! Solaria is our new CO2 laser device that we have brought into our office to bring the latest and greatest in CO2 technology.
What Is Laser Skin Resurfacing?
Laser skin resurfacing is a transformative aesthetic treatment where we use a medical-grade laser device to resurface the surface of the skin (epidermis and dermis) to "create an injury". When we create this controlled micro-injury to the skin, new collagen and elasticity form, resulting in smoother, more youthful-looking skin. At Horizon Med Spa & Wellness, our Solaria CO2 laser is an in office treatment to treat and correct concerns of fine lines, wrinkles, acne scarring, uneven texture, skin tone, and pigmentation. (For concerns of redness and sun damage, we also offer IPL treatments as a complementary option.). We are so excited to bring this advanced laser skin resurfacing service to Kansas City and the surrounding metro area.
What Does “Gold Standard” Mean in Laser Skin Resurfacing?
You often hear this term "gold standard" in the medical spa or aesthetic industry as a way people advertise their business. Gold standard has a deep meaning to the aesthetic medicine and medical spa world. There are many different device brands on the market. Many of those companies claim their products are the "gold standard" for laser resurfacing. Which isn't always the case. This is what the gold standard means to us at Horizon Med Spa: It means multiple capabilities, FDA approval, customizable treatments, correct wavelengths and device depths, and proven clinical results!
CO2 laser technology is also considered the gold standard to us because the Carbon Dioxide technology has been around for over 60 years! It was the first laser of its kind, used for cutting and coagulating tissue because of its high water absorption. Over the last six decades there have been many different laser skin resurfacing options on the market, but CO2's biggest competitor is Erbium laser technology.
CO₂ vs. Erbium Laser Resurfacing: Key Differences for Kansas City Patients
Like I mentioned before, CO2 lasers came out in 1964, and had been used on the skin for many years. In the mid to late 1990's Erbium lasers came out. Erbium was introduced as a more gentle alternative due to faster recovery and less heat damage. Although CO2 laser resurfacing still sets the standard throughout the years and is known for being a "heavy hitter" in treating deeper skin concerns, it has evolved over the years. Modern fractional CO2 lasers are now able to offer the capability of less downtime, faster recovery, and a more customizable treatment experience.
What Is Solaria CO₂ Laser Skin Resurfacing at Horizon Med Spa?
Solaria is the name of our advanced laser device which is made by the company named Inmode. Inmode makes many different aesthetic devices including the most commonly known treatment, Morpheus8. Our Solaria system is a fractional CO2 laser that offers as detailed of a treatment as you need. We offer a SOL peel which is our lighter option, which is great for someone who wants quick and less in depth downtime, but may need to commit to 3 treatments. This is also ideal for someone who has concerns of melasma or hyperpigmentation. Additionally, we offer our full CO2 laser resurfacing which is done in one treatment with a little more downtime, which is great for someone with concerns of deeper lines, wrinkles, and age-related skin texture changes.
The Solaria also gives us the capability to treat large or small surgical scars from accidents or plastic surgery, as well as smaller concerns like benign lesions on the body, skin tags, and more!
Common treatment areas for laser skin resurfacing include the face, neck, décolleté (chest), and hands! + We never forget your eyelids for a little extra tightening and rejuvenation!
What Does “Fractionated” CO₂ Laser Mean?
Fractionated means that the laser is only treating a fraction of the skin, creating microscopic treatment zones. By treating a fraction of the skin, that will leave healthy tissue untreated which results in faster healing and collagen remodeling. This fractional laser technology revolutionized skin resurfacing by reducing downtime while maintaining effectiveness. The cool thing about a fractionated laser is you can visibly see it on the surface of the skin. As the laser passes by it creates little dots on the skin, which feels like sandpaper for 5-7 days!
Who Is a Good Candidate for CO₂ Laser Resurfacing in Kansas City?
A CO2 laser skin resurfacing treatment is perfect for someone looking to correct their skin at a deeper level.
This advanced treatment can address a wide range of skin concerns, including:
Sun damage and age spots
Enlarged pore size
Uneven skin texture
Deeper lines and wrinkles
Acne scarring
Hyperpigmentation and skin discoloration
Why a consultation is essential for safety and results
A consultation is always best to determine who is the ideal candidate for this treatment. At Horizon Med Spa & Wellness, we offer a lighter resurfacing option (SOL Peel), and a heavier resurfacing option (full CO2 laser resurfacing) to help get you to your skin rejuvenation goals. We will assess your skin type and concerns, talk about what to expect before, during, and after the treatment, and get you ready for your laser resurfacing journey! Learn more about our experienced providers who perform every CO2 laser treatment with precision and care.
CO₂ Laser Recovery, Downtime, and Results at Our Kansas City Med Spa
What Can I Expect After My CO2 Laser Resurfacing Treatment?
After your CO2 laser treatment you can expect to feel warm for a couple hours, red or bronzed for a few days, and the skin will feel rough and sandpapery for about a week as new skin cells regenerate! This is a normal part of the healing process and indicates that collagen remodeling is occurring beneath the surface.
How Long Do Results From A CO2 Laser Resurfacing Treatment Last?
What patients at our Kansas City med spa love most about CO2 laser resurfacing is how lasting the results are. You generally only need 1-3 treatments and then you can maintain your healthy and glowing skin with proper skincare and sun protection. Almost everyone reports back that it was "worth the downtime", with results that can last several years.
Schedule A CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing Consultation in Kansas City Today
Fractionated CO₂ laser resurfacing isn't about chasing trends. It's about choosing a treatment with decades of proven results and the ability to truly transform your skin. With our Solaria CO2 laser system, we're able to offer the gold standard of laser resurfacing right here in Kansas City and the KC metro area, with customizable options that meet you exactly where you are in your skin transformation journey.
Whether you're looking to soften fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin texture, address acne scarring, reduce sun damage, or achieve long-lasting skin rejuvenation, our expert providers are here to guide you every step of the way. If you're ready to invest in results that go deeper and last longer, schedule a consultation with Horizon Med Spa & Wellness and let's create a personalized laser resurfacing plan tailored just for you.
Have questions? Contact us today to learn more about CO2 laser skin resurfacing in Kansas City.
Frequently Asked Questions Laser Skin Resurfacing
What is fractionated CO₂ laser skin resurfacing?
Fractionated CO₂ laser resurfacing uses carbon dioxide laser energy to treat a fraction of the skin at a time, creating controlled micro-injuries that stimulate collagen, improve texture, and reduce wrinkles while allowing faster healing.
Why is CO₂ laser considered the gold standard for skin resurfacing?
CO₂ lasers have decades of clinical data, deeper penetration, precise depth control, and superior collagen remodeling compared to other resurfacing lasers, making them the most effective option for advanced skin correction.
What skin concerns does CO₂ laser resurfacing treat?
CO₂ laser resurfacing treats fine lines, deep wrinkles, acne scars, surgical scars, texture irregularities, enlarged pores, sun damage, and pigmentation concerns.
How much downtime is there with fractionated CO₂ laser?
Downtime varies based on treatment intensity. Most patients experience redness, warmth, and a sandpaper-like texture for 5–7 days, with deeper treatments requiring additional recovery time.
How many CO₂ laser treatments are needed?
Many patients achieve significant improvement with one treatment, while others may benefit from one to three sessions depending on skin goals and treatment depth.
Is Solaria CO₂ laser safe?
Yes. Solaria is an FDA-cleared fractionated CO₂ laser by InMode. When performed by trained providers, it is a safe and effective treatment with customizable settings for different skin types and concerns.
About Kimberly Losik
Owner of Horizon Med Spa and Wellness
Kimberly Losik, a board certified nurse practitioner, is the Founder, Owner and Medical Director of Horizon Med Spa and Wellness. Kimberly has earned multiple degrees including a bachelors in Kinesiology, a bachelors in Nursing, as well as a Masters in Nursing. For over a decade, she has earned experience in Orthopedics, Geriatrics, Internal medicine, Medical weight loss, aesthetics and anti-aging medicine.
Her passion to help patients look and feel like the best version of themselves was the foundation of Horizon Med Spa, which began in early 2020. Since then, she has attended numerous trainings, conferences and seminars to continue to offer patients the best solutions. Additionally, she is a clinical trainer for the company Inmode, an internationally recognized leader in the aesthetic industry.
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