I was really excited to get this skin treatment done. Let's talk about how it went and if it was worthwhile.
In my 50 day countdown to turning 50, one of the things I wanted to try was a CO2 laser peel. There are different grades of this laser - the highest level is one that is painful, leaves you with wounds and lots of downtime. This one I didn't want to do.
Instead I picked the Cool Peel CO2 laser. It is touted as a minimal downtime treatment with major improvements. I was really excited to get this done.
THE APPT: They numb you before starting. It was quite comfortable and easy to sit through, feeling like what I expect a laser to feel like. It has been over a decade since I have had laser - the last one I had was IPL and that felt far more zippy and stingy.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER: Redness, nothing too crazy. By that night, my face was swelling and felt dry and irritated. I applied Vaseline almost constantly.
DAY AFTER: More swelling, especially my eyes. Really red and lots of Vaseline. This looked worse than a sunburn. A bit painful to the touch.
DAY TWO: Still more eye swelling, facial swelling. I did my neck and décolletage and everything was very red, tender and swollen. Vaseline everywhere. This was not what I consider minimal downtime.
The rest of that week: Kept to a very simple routine of cleansing and Vaseline. Started to break out and my skin was very dry and peeling. It took a good 5 days for the swelling to pass.
After the first week, they say, this is when you see the result.
AM I BLOWN AWAY? Not at all.
My thoughts:
1. Profoundly, insanely overpriced.
2. More downtime than expected.
3. Results? Nothing better than a good set of chemical peels.
Would I do it again? Nope.
What if it was half price? NOPE.
I paid 1600 for the full face, neck and décolletage.
I have done a ton of peels on myself and clients over the years and I know what those results look like.
I could have done 1 to 2 strong peels, have had no swelling or nasty Vaseline on my face for days and end up right here, looking how I look post CO2 COOL PEEL LASER.
Our chemical peels are $250 each. After about 3 back to back peels, almost every single person is in love with their skin. Less downtime and still coming in FAR CHEAPER than this laser.
All in all, I would grade CO2 Cool Peel Laser a D.
Very overhyped. Very overpriced.