CO2 Laser Resurfacing Norwich
(Fractional Ablative CO2)
Intensive Ablative Fractional CO₂:
This is a clinical laser procedure engineered for maximum dermal destruction and rebuild.
This is not an 'aesthetic-grade' CO₂; this is a high-fluence, surgical-level intervention designed for patients who require significant structural change.
At present, Alison Mary Aesthetics Clinic is the only clinic in Norwich and the wider Norfolk region delivering this level of fractional intensity.
We deliver ablative fractional CO₂ at the upper physiological limit, reaching 75–80% ablative coverage in a single pass. To put that in perspective, the only step above this is 100% full-field ablation, performed under local anaesthetic in a hospital operating theatre.
This is also why you do not need 3–5 sessions. The aim is to achieve a meaningful structural shift in one properly planned session, rather than multiple lighter sessions that never quite get deep enough to change the architecture.
You will need planned downtime, and this is not an easy ride. Expect swelling, oozing, crusting, peeling and a period of redness while the skin barrier rebuilds.
But if you require a higher-dose intervention than injectables and superficial energy devices can provide, and you want maximal resurfacing without full-field surgical ablation, this is the sweet spot.
However, not every face needs that level of intensity yet. If your skin is early-stage, you want a fresher surface, or you need minimal downtime, our 'CO₂ Lite Surface Reset' is the smarter choice.
It delivers a clearer, smoother, glowier finish with a shorter recovery, and it’s ideal for maintenance, prevention, and clients who are not ready or do not need for the full reconstruction protocol.
In short: Lite is refinement and upkeep. Intensive is reconstruction. Both are valid. The right option depends on what your skin actually needs.
CO₂ Lite Surface Reset:
Our 'CO₂ Lite Surface Reset' is a lighter fractional resurfacing option designed to improve texture, pores, surface dullness and early fine lines with shorter downtime.
It’s ideal if you want a visible refresh without committing to a full week of recovery, or if your skin is already in decent condition and you want maintenance-level resurfacing with a modest collagen stimulus.
This is also the intensity level where many clinics sit when they advertise “CO₂ laser”. So if you’ve previously been underwhelmed elsewhere, it often isn’t because CO₂ is “overhyped”, it’s because the dose did not match what your skin actually needed.
Why CO₂ Lite is usually done as a course:
With a lighter protocol, the amount of ablation and dermal remodelling per session is intentionally lower, which means results are best achieved by stacking sessions. In most cases, a course of three is the sensible approach to build cumulative change and maximise collagen response over time.
This is simple skin biology: bigger stimulus equals bigger response, but the trade-off is always more downtime.
What “lighter settings” actually means:
With 'CO₂ Lite', the treatment is more superficial. The epidermal component is refreshed and the skin re-epithelialises quickly, which is why downtime is shorter. Because the deeper dermal stimulus is more limited, the effect tends to be more “freshening” than “reconstruction”, and results can be shorter-lived unless you maintain them.
That’s why 'CO₂ Lite' is positioned as:
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a refresh for early concerns
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a maintenance option for good skin
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a lower-downtime alternative for clients who cannot tolerate intensive recovery
When the Intensive option makes more sense:
You can always choose a single-session Intensive protocol, but if your skin does not genuinely require that level of structural change, the downtime and risk-to-reward ratio may not be worth it. CO₂ Lite exists for the clients who want improvement and prevention, without turning their recovery into a week-long event.
What Is Fractional Ablative CO₂?
Fractional CO₂ resurfacing creates tiny columns of controlled thermal injury in the skin, while leaving surrounding skin intact. This “fractional” pattern matters, because it allows faster healing from the untreated skin between columns, compared with full-field resurfacing.
What it can improve:
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Fine lines and deeper etched lines (where skin quality is the main issue)
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Rough texture, enlarged pores, dullness
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Sun damage and uneven tone (where appropriate for your skin type)
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Acne scarring and surface irregularity
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Crepey skin, especially around the eyes and mouth
CO₂ rebuilds skin; it doesn’t reposition it. If laxity and descent are the dominant issue (jowls/neck for example), you’ll need structural support (filler) and/or surgery, with CO₂ used to improve texture, lines and surface tightening.
Think of it as one cog in the wheel: botox controls movement lines, filler restores support where needed, and resurfacing improves the skin itself.
The Treatment Process:
Consultation & Assessment
We assess your skin, your goals, downtime tolerance and medical history. We confirm the appropriate level (Lite vs Intensive vs Intensive+) and discuss expected recovery.
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Anaesthesia
A strong topical anaesthetic is applied under occlusion. During treatment we use Zimmer cryo-cooling (continuous chilled air) to improve comfort. Optional pre-procedure oral analgesia may be taken on arrival if suitable.
You must arrive with completely bare skin: no makeup, moisturiser or SPF.
Treatment
The laser is delivered in a controlled fractional pattern, zone-by-zone. You may feel a sensation of heat and tingling - this is normal and well controlled. Treatment times vary depending on the area being treated along with the intensity.
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Immediately Post-Procedure
Your skin will feel hot/warm and appear red. Swelling and weeping/oozing can occur in the first few days (expected with the Intensive/Intensive+ treatment).
Full aftercare instructions will be provided to support the best possible results and healing.
If having the Intensive/Intensive+, you will need to send Alison morning/daily healing photos to ensure everything is on track and you are healing well. If any changes need to be made, this is where Alison will suggest them. Full support and guidance is provided on every step of your healing journey.
Results Timeline
You will see initial results once your skin has healed, typically within 10-14 days. However, the real magic happens gradually - as your skin produces new collagen and elastin over the following 3–6 months, your skin will continue to improve in firmness, texture and radiance.
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Pre and Post Treatment Care
To ensure the best possible results from your 'Intensive Fractional Ablative CO₂' treatment and a smooth recovery from your CO₂ laser treatment, it is essential to follow these simple pre and post-care guidelines. This helps protect your skin and maximises the benefits of your treatment.
Pre-treatment care (2–4 weeks before)
Recovery timeline (Intensive Fractional CO₂)
To reduce complications and improve outcomes:
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4 weeks prior: avoid sun exposure, sunbeds; no fake tan.
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2 weeks prior: stop actives on the area (retinoids, acids/exfoliants, vitamin C).
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Avoid: waxing/threading/laser hair removal on the area close to treatment.
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Do not: attend with active infection, dermatitis flare, sunburn or broken skin.
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Arrive: with clean, dry, bare skin (cleanse, then dry).
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Consider: washing your hair on the day.
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No: lash extensions or contact lenses.
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Cold sores: if you are prone, preventative medication is MANDATORY. These can be arranged by an (online pharmacy service here).
If you’re unsure about anything, ask. It is always safer to reschedule than treat through irritation.
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Days 1–3: redness, swelling, weeping/oozing.
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Days 3–10: bronzing, crusting/peeling; visible downtime.
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Days 10–14: smoother “velvet finish” commonly visible.
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Weeks 8-12: pinkness while the barrier strengthens.
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Months 3–6: ongoing collagen remodelling and firmness improvement.
Eye area: strong peri-orbital CO₂ can cause significant swelling for 2–3 days (sometimes puffy/part-closed). This is common and usually settles.
CO₂ AblativeFractional Laser - Post-Treatment Care
Aftercare materially affects outcome. You will be given step-by-step instructions and support during early healing. In general:
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Expect a normal healing sequence (redness/swelling → peeling/crusting → pink strengthening phase).
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Follow the cleansing and healing routine exactly. Picking, friction, heat and premature makeup increase risks and can prolong redness.
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Makeup: avoid until fully healed. For full-face intensive resurfacing, we advise week 4+ for full makeup. Once crusts have shed (often around day 10), a thin mineral/tinted SPF can act as light coverage outdoors if appropriate.
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Avoid intense exercise, heat, sauna/steam, swimming and direct sun until healed (aim day 21+).
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After healing: broad-spectrum SPF 50 is essential to protect the result.
CO₂ Lite Surface Reset:
£350 per session
£825 for 3 sessions; 4–6 weeks apart (saving £225)
Intensive Ablative Fractional CO₂:
Face + Eyes – £850
Advanced Intensive+ Ablative Fractional CO₂:
Face + Eyes – £1,050
Focused areas:
Full Eye Area (upper & lower lids, mobile lid + crow’s feet) – £600
Full Lip, Barcode & Perioral Resurfacing – £600
Neck/Stretch Marks/Arms - 1 session £275 - 3 sessions - £750 (saving £75)
Confused by CO₂? Here’s what matters
(and why prices vary)
CO₂ is not one single treatment. Outcomes depend on modality + dose + downtime - not necessarily the brand name.
There are only two questions that matter:
1) Is it ablative or non-ablative?
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Ablative = removes micro-columns of skin (resurfacing + collagen remodelling)
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Non-ablative = heats the dermis only (collagen stimulation, minimal-no peeling)
2) Is it fractional or full-field?
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Fractional = treated in a pattern with skin left between columns (faster healing)
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Full-field = 100% of the surface treated (extremely intensive recovery, different setting)
Simple rule:
If a clinic is selling “CO₂” with little/no downtime and for a few hundred pounds, you will be booking a light refresh, not intensive resurfacing.
If you want deeper resurfacing and longer-lasting change, the trade-off is more downtime and high price point.
Alisons approach:
Our clinic offers two defined levels - 'Lite Surface Reset' (short downtime) and 'Intensive Fractional CO₂' (planned downtime and longer-lasting change).
Why Choose Us?
CO₂ laser resurfacing is not just another treatment - it is one of the most powerful, scientifically proven technologies in aesthetics. But like any powerful tool, it can be used in very different ways.
At Alison Mary Aesthetics, CO₂ isn’t an “extra” or a quick add-on bundled into a facial package. It is one of my core specialisms. Its something I have invested years into studying, testing, and refining. I treat it with the same seriousness and precision as a surgeon would treat their scalpel.
But heres the catch... many clinics run their CO₂ lasers at very light settings because it’s quick, comfortable, and easy to sell as a “laser facial.” The problem? At that level it only polishes the surface. Since the epidermis renews every 28–40 days, those “wow” results fade fast; leaving clients disappointed and wondering why nothing lasted.
That’s where I work differently. If I switch on my CO₂ laser, I use it to its highest safe potential. My goal is not just to sandpaper the surface, but to reach the dermis where real change happens. This is where collagen fibres are remodelled, elastin reorganises, and new skin foundations are rebuilt. That is what makes results not only visible at two weeks, but still holding strong at 12 months and beyond.
Other clinics may tell you “results last for years” while only running light passes. I tell you the truth: only when collagen has been stimulated and dermis remodelled will results genuinely last. There is no shortcut, no magic setting, and no way around downtime. That is simply laser physics and skin biology.
Clients choose me because I don’t waste their time or money.
This is CO₂ laser done with integrity. Safe. Scientific. Effective.
It’s not the cheapest option, but it is the right one if you want results that last, guided by someone who lives and breathes the science of skin.
FAQ:
STILL GOT QUESTIONS?
Does it hurt?
A little - but it’s very tolerable. You’ll be fully numbed with strong medical-grade cream for 45 minutes before we begin. What makes my clinic different is that I also use a professional cryo-cooling system during treatment. This delivers a continuous stream of chilled air (down to –30°C) across the skin as the laser works. This makes the procedure far more comfortable and allows me to safely work at the higher settings that deliver real results.
Can I go out after?
We’ll be upfront: this isn’t a “lunchtime laser.” With fractional CO₂ you’ll need around 7–10 days of true social downtime while the skin oozes, crusts, and peels.
Once the crusts have shed, the skin still looks pink for a few weeks while the barrier strengthens underneath. During this phase, it’s not fragile forever—but it is delicate, and rushing with makeup or friction can prolong redness.
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Light Refresh: expect 5–7 days where you’ll prefer to stay home, then pinkness for another week.
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Intensive Treatments: plan for 10+ days indoors recovery, with makeup safe from Week 4 (sometimes longer in sensitive zones).
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The best way to think of it: results are measured in years, so giving your skin 4–6 weeks before big events is a small trade-off. We advise planning events/holidays 4–6 weeks after treatment.
How many sessions will I need?
Depends on which level you choose:
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'CO₂ Lite Surface Reset' – This is designed as a refresh, not a one-off fix. Because it mainly resurfaces the top layers of skin, the results are visible but temporary, and you’ll need a course of 3–4 sessions for best effect. Great if you can't afford the downtime of the intensive option. This is the same no matter which clinic you go to - even if they call it something different or tell you collagen will continue for months.
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Intensive Fractional CO₂ – This is where the real transformation happens. With just one session you can achieve results that last for years, because we’re not just skimming the surface - we’re stimulating new collagen, rebuilding the skin’s foundation, and tightening from within. Some clients choose a second session months later to push things even further, but one treatment alone is often enough to deliver visible, lasting change.
If you’re serious about results, the 'Intensive' is the treatment worth investing in.
Can I wear makeup after?
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CO₂ Lite Surface Reset:
No makeup for 7–10 days, until all crusting has shed and the fresh skin has sealed. After this, mineral makeup is safest to start with. -
CO₂ Intensive Deep Remodel:
No makeup for at least 4 weeks. Some areas treated more aggressively (like eyes or around the mouth) may need up to 6 weeks. After that, we reintroduce makeup slowly, to avoid flaring redness or irritation. -
Eyes / Neck (fractional intensive protocols):
Same rule as intensive — 4 weeks minimum, sometimes longer depending on healing speed and how sensitive the zone is.
Will people know I’ve had something done?
Not in a “you’ve had work done” way. You’ll simply look fresher, tighter, and healthier — as if you’ve just had a long holiday and great sleep. Nothing is being added or injected; it’s your own skin renewing itself and building new collagen. That’s why the results look natural, but still noticeable.
Is the 'Advanced Intensive Fractional CO₂ worth the extra £200?
Yes! The 'advanced' option justifies the £200 premium for clients addressing more entrenched skin concerns, as it yields measurably deeper tissue remodeling - often 20-30% greater improvement in wrinkle depth and firmness compared to the intensive, through elevated energy delivery.
If your issues are more superficial, the intensive suffices; for substantial laxity or scarring, the upgrade delivers enhanced longevity and potency, though please be aware, it extends downtime by 2-3 days and the pinkness can linger for several weeks longer. Results depend on skin type and adherence to post-care.
How long do the results last?
It depends on the depth of treatment. Light resurfacing (the kind many clinics market as CO₂) only affects the epidermis, so results fade within a few months as your skin naturally renews.
Intensive CO₂ — the level I specialise in — stimulates the dermis, forcing collagen to rebuild. That collagen is physically new tissue and doesn’t vanish overnight. With proper skin care (especially daily SPF), results typically last 2–3 years, and in many cases even longer.
Ageing doesn’t stop, so no treatment is forever — but the stronger the collagen stimulus, the more durable the improvement. Many clients choose a yearly or bi-yearly “top-up” session to maintain their best results.
Is this the same as what doctors offer?
Not exactly, but what we offer (our Intensive) is close. Some doctors perform full-field CO₂ resurfacing, which removes 100% of the skin’s surface. That’s surgical-level: done under sedation, with bandages, antibiotics, and weeks of intense recovery. It’s usually reserved for severely damaged skin.
What we offer is maximum fractional CO₂ resurfacing. It pushes your skin as far as it can safely go in a non-surgical setting—giving you dramatic resurfacing, tightening, and visible regeneration. You’ll still peel, ooze, and crust as the skin rebuilds, but your downtime and recovery are far more refined than with surgical full-field.
Think of it this way: full-field is demolition and rebuild; what I do is precision renovation—powerful, structural, and lasting, without tipping into unsafe trauma.
How long does it take?
A full-face intensive CO₂ session takes around 2–2.5 hours. That includes thorough numbing, skin preparation, and the treatment itself.
For smaller zones like the eyes or neck only, you can expect about 90 minutes.
This isn’t a “lunchtime facial” — it’s a precision procedure that takes time because each area is treated methodically for both safety and results.
READY TO START?
If you’re serious about reversing signs of ageing - or just want to strengthen your skin long before surgery becomes an option - this treatment is your skin’s best ally.
We’ve done it on ourselves. We know exactly how far to push, and when to pull back.
Let’s find out what your skin really needs...
The Full Face Approach:
While CO2 Laser is the "Gold Standard" for skin texture and scarring, many of Alisons clients combine it with
Botox & Anti-Wrinkle Injections in Norwich.
While the laser resurfaces the skin, anti-wrinkle treatments relax the underlying muscles to stop deep expression lines from returning - giving you a total, balanced rejuvenation.