Skin Treatments Archives - Evolution Dermatology and Wellness

Why Consider CO2 Laser Resurfacing?

by Pauli Morrow | Jan 7, 2025 | Ageless skin, Collagen Stimulating Treatments, Fractional Laser, Laser, Skin Treatments

At Evolution Dermatology in Boulder, CO, we believe that everyone deserves to have the healthiest skin possible. As most of us know, over years of sun exposure, stress, hormonal changes and natural aging can leave their mark as fine lines, uneven tone, or dullness.

CO2 Laser resurfacing is an in-office treatment that works to “reset” your skin by stimulating collagen and elastin and revealing new cells on the surface of your skin. The result is smoother, firmer, more radiant skin. At Evolution Dermatology, we use the most advanced CO2 laser technology to help you achieve dramatic, long-lasting improvement in skin texture, tone, and overall vitality.

What Is CO2 Laser Resurfacing?

CO2 laser resurfacing is a skin rejuvenation procedure that uses carbon dioxide (CO2) laser energy (10,600 nanometers) to remove damaged skin cells and stimulate new collagen growth.

The CO2 laser targets water within the skin. Because your skin is largely composed of water, this energy gently vaporizes damaged cells and stimulates fibroblasts (the collagen-producing cells). As your skin heals, it naturally generates new collagen and elastin, resulting in a firmer, smoother, and more youthful appearance.

Why Today’s CO2 Lasers Are Safer and Smarter

CO2 lasers have been trusted by dermatologists and plastic surgeons for decades as the gold standard in skin resurfacing. At Evolution Dermatology, we use fractional CO₂2laser technology, which has revolutionized traditional resurfacing.

Instead of treating 100% of the skin’s surface, fractional lasers create thousands of microscopic treatment columns—leaving surrounding skin intact. This allows faster healing, less downtime, and reduced risk of complications, while still delivering powerful, noticeable results.

Think of it like aerating a lawn: we treat just enough of the surface to stimulate renewal—without overwhelming the skin.

Personalized CO2 Laser Treatments at Evolution Dermatology

No two skin stories are alike, so your resurfacing treatment shouldn’t be either. We have 3 levels of treatment that balance intensity with recovery—so you can choose what fits best for your schedule, lifestyle, and skin goals.

Level	Ideal For	Downtime	Treatment Areas
Level 1 (Light Resurfacing)	Early signs of aging, fine lines, sun damage	5–7 days	Face, neck, chest, hands
Level 2 (Moderate Resurfacing)	Moderate wrinkles, uneven texture, sun damage	7–10 days	Face, neck, chest
Level 3 (Advanced Resurfacing)	Deep lines, etched wrinkles, advanced aging	10–14 days	Face, neck

Why CO2 Laser Resurfacing is the Gold Standard

CO2 laser resurfacing remains one of the most effective treatments for:

Fine lines and deep wrinkles
Uneven tone, rough texture, and large pores
Sun damage and age spots
Mild to moderate acne scars
Lax or thinning skin on the face, neck, or chest

Unlike topical treatments or chemical peels that work only on the surface, fractional CO2 lasers penetrate into the dermis, where collagen and elastin are formed. This depth of rejuvenation helps rebuild your skin from within for lasting results.

Who’s a Candidate for CO2 Resurfacing?

Most healthy adults looking for meaningful skin rejuvenation are excellent candidates. You might be a great fit if you:

Have fine to deep wrinkles or uneven skin tone
Are concerned about sun damage or skin texture
Want visible, long-term improvement—not just a temporary fix
Can take 5–10 days of downtime for healing
Are ready to commit to sun protection and proper aftercare

We carefully evaluate every patient’s skin type, medical history, and pigmentation risk to ensure your treatment is both safe and effective.

How Much Downtime Should You Expect?

Downtime varies based on the level of resurfacing:

Level 1: 5–7 days of redness and mild peeling
Level 2: 2-3 days of swelling, 7–10 days of redness, flaking, and light crusting
Level 3: 3-4 days of swelling, 10–14 days of redness, flaking and crusting, with residual pinkness for a few weeks

Throughout recovery, we provide detailed aftercare guidance, gentle skincare recommendations, and antiviral protection if needed. At Evolution Dermatology, our goal is to help you heal comfortably and beautifully.

Aftercare Tips for a Smooth Recovery

Aftercare is important, so we will give you written instructions, all of the supplies you will need, and discuss these tips:

Cleanse gently with mild, non-fragranced products
Keep skin well-hydrated and moisturized
Avoid makeup until your skin fully re-epithelializes
Use a broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen (SPF 30+) daily
Avoid direct sun exposure, hot yoga, and saunas for several days
Follow any prescribed antiviral or antibiotic medications closely

Proper healing ensures the best outcome—and we guide you every step of the way.

When to Expect Results

Weeks 2–4: Skin appears smoother and brighter as healing completes.
Months 1–3: Collagen remodeling tightens and refines texture.
Months 3–6: Final results emerge—firmer, more radiant, evenly toned skin.

Fall and winter are ideal seasons for laser treatments since the sun is less intense. If you’re ready to invest in long-term skin rejuvenation—and want real, lasting results guided by experienced professionals—CO₂ laser resurfacing at Evolution Dermatology could be the perfect choice.

It’s not just about looking younger. It’s about feeling confident and refreshed in your skin again.

Why Choose Evolution Dermatology?

At Evolution Dermatology, our team combines medical expertise with advanced laser technology to deliver safe, effective, and natural-looking results.
We serve patients throughout Boulder and the Front Range with leading-edge dermatology and aesthetic care—all in a welcoming, patient-centered environment.

Final Thoughts: Is Now the Right Time?

Fall and winter are ideal seasons for laser treatments since the sun is less intense. If you’re ready to invest in long-term skin rejuvenation—and want real, lasting results guided by experienced professionals—CO2 laser resurfacing could be the perfect choice.
It’s not just about looking younger. It’s about feeling confident and refreshed in your skin again.

Your skin journey is unique. During your personalized consultation at Evolution Dermatology we’ll discuss your goals, evaluate your skin, and design a custom plan to achieve the best results possible.
Schedule your consultation and let us help you reveal your healthiest, most radiant skin yet.

Treatments + Products to Increase Collagen Production

by Pauli Morrow | Feb 29, 2024 | Ageless skin, Collagen Stimulating Treatments, Healthy Skin, Skin Treatments

The fact that your skin changes over time comes at no surprise—but do you know exactly how?

There are two important components that contribute to this change; they are collagen and elastin. These components of your skin help keep facial lines and wrinkles at bay and improve the quality of your skin. When you improve the quality of your skin, it will appear healthy and youthful.

There are many cosmetic treatments to help with the aging process, like Botox (and other neurotoxins) that stop muscle contraction to reduce wrinkles, or dermal fillers that replace volume that we lose over time.

However, here I describe ways to help your skin appear more radiant that can be done with or without volumizing fillers and toxins. It’s all about improving the health of your skin!

What is collagen and elastin?

At the core of skin health is collagen and elastin. Collagen is the main structural protein, which acts like scaffolding and provides plumpness to your skin. Elastin allows your skin to be flexible and helps it keep its shape even after stretching or pinching. Both of these proteins are important to maintain skin quality and integrity. This is why collagen and elastin stimulating treatments are considered both preventative and corrective in anti-aging terms

Why does collagen and elastin decrease in our skin?

Collagen is produced throughout our lives, but the amount begins to reduce in our 20’s. Elastin production stops around puberty. Some factors can increase the breakdown of collagen, like excessive sun exposure, pollution and smoking. This loss makes your skin appear thinner and have less structural support, which is why people begin to notice drooping or sagging of their skin. For youthful skin, it is important to both preserve the collagen you have and stimulate your skin to produce it faster.

What are in-office treatments you can do to boost collagen and elastin production?

There are many treatments at our office that work to stimulate collagen and elastin production. Which one you choose may depend on your specific concerns, downtime, cost, or what your goals are. Here is some great information about how in-office treatments improve the quality of your skin, but if you are not sure which one is the best choice for you, come in for a cosmetic consultation.

Here are 6 in-office treatments that can increase collagen and elastin:

1) Radiesse

Radiesse was approved by the FDA as a facial filler at the end of 2006 and has been used as a volumizing filler since. However, it can be used as a biostimulant in your skin rather than just a filler when saline and lidocaine are added to Radiesse. This mixture triggers the body to produce new collagen and elastin so that you get immediate results plus long-term improvement. The benefits of this treatment are skin tightening and thickening, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and crepiness. Overall, skin tone, texture and elasticity can be markedly improved!

2) Microneedling

Microneedling is a procedure where a device with fine needles is moved across your skin. The needles puncture the top layer of the skin and create a controlled skin injury to improve skin texture and promote collagen growth. Once this micro-injury is created with the needles, your body is stimulated to produce new collagen to fill them in as part of the healing process. This new collagen can make your skin look smoother, tighter, and more youthful. It can also help diminish acne scars.

3) PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)

PRP therapy is used in many aspects of medicine. PRP is a serum that results from your own blood that can amplify the natural growth factors in your body and stimulate the growth of new cells. At Evolution Dermatology, we use PRP as injections and topical application to diminish wrinkles, improve skin quality and help treat acne scars

4) Opus Plasma Resurfacing

This procedure uses fractionated plasma energy to resurface your skin and deliver effects similar to a deep resurfacing treatment without the downtime. The Opus device uses both radio frequency energy and plasma to create fractional injuries on the surface of your skin tissue regeneration and collagen remodeling

5) Sofwave

Sofwave is a clinically-proven, non-invasive approach to rebuilding collagen and elastin to tighten and improve facial lines and wrinkles. This procedure uses ultrasound energy to pass through the surface of your skin, heating the mid-dermal tissue at just the right depth to stimulate new collagen and elastin production. With no downtime, Sofwave works to enhance and rejuvenate your skin quality and firmness.

6) Chemical Peels

These use hydroxy acids (like glycolic, lactic acids) to boost skin cell turnover, which in turn stimulates collagen production. You can see immediate benefits from chemical peels, as they can help with tone and texture, giving you an instant glow. These are best done in a series done monthly to get the most collagen regeneration and longer lasting results.

What skin care products can help?

These clinically proven skin care products are a great way to add nourishment to your skin and promote healthy collagen and elastin.

Here are the 3 main topical powerhouses…

1) Prescription Tretinoin (known by the brand name Retin-A):

Applied in the evening to your skin, this vitamin A derivative upregulates genes involved in collagen production while it exfoliates to encourage collagen and new healthy skin cells. Tretinoin and retinoids have been proven for years to be a gold standard in anti-aging skin care as stated in this publication here in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. Just ask when you are in the office if this might be a good skin care topical treatment for you!

2) Vitamin C Serum:

Protect collagen with topical vitamin C. Slather on a vitamin C serum in the morning. This vitamin is a strong antioxidant that protects the collagen in your skin against UV damage. More than that, it triggers collagen formation and stabilizes the collagen proteins in skin. Has been studied for years proving its effectiveness. At Evolution Dermatology we have a vitamin C serum that also has ferulic acid and vitamin E to add antioxidant power with a hydrating hyaluronic acid base.

Evolve Vitamin C Serum from Evolution Dermatology in Boulder CO — Evolve Vitamin C Serum

3) Sunscreen:

Sunscreen is vital for skin cancer prevention — but also for keeping skin young and springy. UV exposure can lead to the breakdown of collagen, which can lead to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, so you’re never too young to start wearing sunscreen every day. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and don’t forget to cover your neck, ears and chest too!

There is no magic bullet when we talk about aesthetic treatments and skin care. No one treatment or product does everything. It is about combining treatments and products depending on your skin type and your specific goals.

Unveiling the Secrets of Dermaplaning

by Pauli Morrow | Jul 7, 2023 | Dermaplaning, Exfoliation, Skin Treatments, Skincare

Dermaplaning has been around for over 40 years, but has gained immense popularity as a non-invasive cosmetic procedure in recent years. It’s a very effective skincare treatment that is simple but delivers some amazing results. Here I explore the concept of dermaplaning, its benefits, and if it may be right for you. Let’s dive in!

What is dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning, also known as epidermal leveling or blading, is a skincare procedure performed by our experienced aestheticians. It entails using a specialized surgical scalpel to gently scrape off dead skin cells and vellus hair (peach fuzz) from the surface of the skin. It will take about 20-30 minutes and is completely painless. You can enjoy the benefits of this treatment every three to four weeks to maintain a smooth, radiant appearance.

How can I benefit from dermaplaning?

Numerous medical journals highlight the potential benefits of dermaplaning. According to a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (Smith et al., 2018), dermaplaning can improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and enhance the absorption and efficacy of skincare products. Additionally, dermaplaning can provide a smoother canvas for makeup application, resulting in a more flawless finish (Gonzalez et al., 2019). In short, it rejuvenates your skin by promoting cell turnover and enhances product penetration. Any skin care products placed on your skin after the treatment will absorb better and your skin will be glowing and smooth!

Are there any side effects?

Dermaplaning is very safe and has little side effects. A comprehensive review published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology (Al-Niaimi et al., 2020) indicates that possible side effects of dermaplaning may include temporary redness, sensitivity, and a risk of superficial cuts or nicks. However, these side effects are not common and tend to resolve quickly.

Is dermaplaning right for your skin type?

Dermaplaning is suitable for most people seeking skin rejuvenation. It is particularly beneficial for those with dry or rough skin, superficial hyperpigmentation, or mild acne scarring. However, it is not ideal if you have active acne, open wounds, sunburns, or a history of keloid scarring. If you are not sure, just ask our aesthetician and she can help you make the best decision for you.

What should you know before dermaplaning?

Before having a dermaplaning treatment, there are a few considerations. It is important to have a professional experienced in performing dermaplaning and never try this at home! Additionally, inform our aesthetician about any allergies, skin conditions, or medications you are currently using. Avoid excessive sun exposure and discontinue the use of retinoids or exfoliating products a few days before the treatment.

Can you combine dermaplaning with other facials?

Dermaplaning can be combined with other types of facials to enhance your results. According to a study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (Mills et al., 2019), combining dermaplaning with chemical peels can provide a synergistic effect, improving overall skin texture and tone. When scheduling your facial, just ask if dermaplaning can be added to boost your results!

Dermaplaning offers a range of benefits to improve the appearance and texture of your skin. Indulge in this rejuvenating experience, and watch as your complexion transforms, revealing a fresh and youthful appearance that will make heads turn!